Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. IGN
    73
    It's great to have the Vandal Hearts series back but this art style was a mistake. Truly, these characters look like ugly munchkins.
  2. Vandal
    70
    Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment is a very good options for genre fans looking for a tactic RPG title direct and entertaining.
  3. PSFocus
    70
    Vandal Hearts is a nice PlayStation Network game with a pretty cool gameplay system, but the story and the audio are a bit poor and that’s a shame. If you like old school RPG’s, than Vandal Hearts is a nice game to pick up, but it has some issues.
  5. XGN
    70
    This is a good game for someone who is really into turn-based RPG's. Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment offers hours of gameplay for a small price.
  6. Gamer.nl
    70
    Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment offers exactly what you expect from it: a strategic role-playing game that is slightly flawed because of the archaic game design, but that still offers a decent gaming experience.
  7. Cheat Code Central
    68
    You get a lot of game for $15, but a ho-hum presentation and antiquated gameplay counterbalance the actual value of the package.
  8. Digital Chumps
    68
    For those who have played the original titles and for anyone who likes a straight-forward tactical RPG, VH: FoJ is worth a look.
  9. GameShark
    67
    The game is certainly fun, but is also seems hamstrung as a turn-based strategy game due to its overly linear nature and lack of any true sense of story cohesion or character progression.
  10. Gaming Age
    67
    While this game is a little rough around the edges, what do you expect from an XBLA/PSN RPG game? If you like turn based, strategy type games and can overlook cartoony graphics, I suggest you pick this game up.
  11. GameSpot
    65
    Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment revives an aged tactical role-playing game franchise in a decidedly formulaic fashion.
  12. 3DJuegos
    63
    It's not very good, but good enough for a downloadable game and RPG' fans.
  13. VideoGamer
    60
    Although the game offers little in the way of innovation, Hijinx Studios has refined the traditional SRPG with great success. The fact that it has the words 'Vandal Hearts' in the title really doesn't do it any favours though; if this was a new IP, free from the shackles of the series and the scrutinising eyes of its fans, the game could have reached much greater heights.
  14. 1UP
    50
    Vandal Hearts may be competent at what it does, but its derivative throwback nature doesn't do much for a genre that's in desperate need of innovation.

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
  1. Meanwhile
    Oct 26, 2010
    1
    The character customization is weak and nearly irrelevant to the gameplay. The story is one dull cliché after another, withThe character customization is weak and nearly irrelevant to the gameplay. The story is one dull cliché after another, with religious overtones that are downright creepy. And to top it all off, this game has easily the stupidest final battle and worst ending of any RPG I've ever played in my life -- and that's a lot of RPGs. Even if you love the original VH, this download is not worth your time, let alone your money.… Full Review »
  2. SilverstarWolf
    Feb 18, 2011
    6
    A disappointing, but fairly engaging return for Vandal Hearts. The graphics weren't expected to be beautiful, but the art style is bizarre andA disappointing, but fairly engaging return for Vandal Hearts. The graphics weren't expected to be beautiful, but the art style is bizarre and feels immature, especially in the quite awful cut scenes. It's also underwhelmingly short and lacking in variety and the game feels produced on a shoestring. Thankfully, the core mechanics are perfectly fine and the battles themselves are challenging and engaging, especially with the simple but effective "do skill, level up skill" experience system. A paradox of a game that never amazes, but still worthy of some time for a fan of the series.… Full Review »
  3. Raumah
    Dec 16, 2015
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. I enjoyed the strategy component of the game, and not having to waste time with exploration and crafting, etc. HOWEVER...

    *SPOILER ALERT*
    I really despise game endings where you have done a bunch of work to build up a team of characters, then the last boss throws all that out the window because it's some gimmicky climax where your party is gone and your main character is transformed into something else.

    What is the point of all of that grinding if it's useless for the final showdown? Unfortunately this game falls under that category. I was severely disappointed after playing very casually for 3-4 years building up to such a let down.    … Full Review »
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