Valiant Hearts: The Great War

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 48 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 48
  3. Negative: 0 out of 48
  1. games(TM)
    Aug 20, 2014
    70
    A rare gem that takes the time to commemorate a tragedy, exploring its human cost in a way that's both meaningful and moving, and relying upon core interactions that are mostly about helping others rather than harming them. [Sept 2014, p.114]
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  2. Gameplanet
    Jul 1, 2014
    70
    A surprisingly sensitive, if flawed, retelling of a harrowing time in human history.
  3. Eurogamer Portugal
    Jun 28, 2014
    70
    Its narrative is able to offer a story that manages to be humorous and even lovely during one of the darkest periods of humanity, but there are hardly any serious obstacles and it leaves no desire to play a second time.
  5. VideoGamer
    Jun 27, 2014
    70
    Valiant Hearts doesn't make the most of what it's got: the four playable protagonists (the dog is essentially a tool for fetching things) each offer different perspectives on the war, but their stories are predictable and too dependent on coincidence to really engage...No matter. Valiant Hearts may be confused, but it's also brave.
  6. Gameblog.fr
    Jun 27, 2014
    70
    This game could be considered as a good one in terms of gameplay. But the whole package is a very intense, very moving experience. Thanks to its graphics, its story, its characters and the clever way it talks about a very sad part of History, Valiant Hearts can be considered as one of the best initiatives this year. With games of this kind, with a soul, even not perfect, we ask for more.
  7. Metro GameCentral
    Jun 26, 2014
    70
    A heavy-handed but impressively sincere attempt to tackle a subject most other games would never dare, with the end resulting being both affecting and entertaining.
  8. Game Informer
    Jun 24, 2014
    70
    It may not be challenging or action-packed, but Valiant Hearts provides some thoughtful and sobering looks at what life was like on the front.
  9. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Aug 25, 2014
    65
    Very pretty, but pretty shallow. Unchallenging – both emotionally and as a puzzle-platformer. [September 2014, p71]
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  10. LevelUp
    Jun 29, 2014
    65
    This game feels like a well intended failure. Its puzzles are too simple and easy to solve, the action parts are diluted minigames and the animations feel cheap. However, the historical context is interesting and the visual style is amazing. In the end, sadly, Valiant Hearts is unable to overcome its weaknesses.
  11. Play UK
    Jul 24, 2014
    64
    There’s good puzzling to be had, and some engaging stories here, but a lean towards either fictional fun or serious stories would have worked better. And while this was an interesting experiment, we //really// don’t want to see a WWII game presented the same way.
  12. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Aug 25, 2014
    60
    A short and simple adventure game with strong atmosphere delivered via an unique visual style. If you're looking for something different, this is it. [Issue#244]
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  13. Slant Magazine
    Jul 11, 2014
    60
    And yet, even in its current state, you still have a game that aims to be more than just a jingoistic, us-versus-them shooter, and Valiant Hearts comes off as a blessed gasp of fresh air as a result.
  14. Eurogamer Spain
    Jun 30, 2014
    60
    Valiant Hearts is a correct game, but also a superficial tribute that lacks some boldness and will to adopt fresh gameplay solutions.
  15. Level7.nu
    Jul 23, 2014
    50
    Valiant Hearts is a really ambitious war game that has the most of the ingredients that have been missing in the genre so far. Most of the characters is really enjoyable and the graphics is fantastic. Unfortunately the mechanics are too basic and the story isn’t very well written.
  16. Gamer.no
    Jun 30, 2014
    50
    As a means to tell stories based on actual events Valiant Hearts: The Great War works fairly well. The plot is engaging, the characters compelling and the use of World War One as a backdrop is a bold, but ultimately good decision by Ubisoft Montpellier. The beautiful, hand drawn graphics are stunning to look at, and manage to underscore how difficult life in the trenches was. Unfortunately Valiant Hearts isn't able to justify itself as a game. The gameplay is, ultimately, not very interesting and completely without challenge.

Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Best PS4 Game of 2014
31
#31 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2014
82
#82 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2014

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 682 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 529 out of 682
  2. Mixed: 110 out of 682
  3. Negative: 43 out of 682
  1. adamkynaston
    Jun 27, 2014
    10
    Unbelievable. Emotional, moving, intimate. Beautiful. This is what is taking gaming from a child's activity to the most powerful mediumUnbelievable. Emotional, moving, intimate. Beautiful. This is what is taking gaming from a child's activity to the most powerful medium available for storytelling. Simple story based on a truly horrific event. Easy to identify with, lovable characters, and an interface so friendly this is accessible to gamers of all skill level.

    This is a MUST play for all of those passionate gamers who need more to a game than a reticle with some explosions. The best advice I can give is to stop reading about this game and go buy it now. A beautifully rendered, inspiring journey is only $15 away. Show Ubiart that we NEED more of this in our lives!    … Full Review »
  2. AdrianChan
    Jun 24, 2014
    9
    Finally there is a war game which is not to gun blaze every one all the time. Valiant Hearts: The Great War has a interesting, touching andFinally there is a war game which is not to gun blaze every one all the time. Valiant Hearts: The Great War has a interesting, touching and meaningful story line. Gameplay is quite good. The puzzle solving is great. It even creates more intense moment than other ordinary action adventure game. It is probably the best game Ubisoft has made this year. It is very cheap and you should pick it up. 1 marks extra is given to all the emotional and beautiful trailers of this game.… Full Review »
  3. WhiteJedi87
    Aug 24, 2014
    10
    Moving and intimate. These are just two words to describe this game. Ubisoft have shown the true horrors of war with grace and truthfulness,Moving and intimate. These are just two words to describe this game. Ubisoft have shown the true horrors of war with grace and truthfulness, yet with respect. All should play this game just to get an idea of what it would been like for all those brave men and woman.… Full Review »
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