E3: Vandal Hearts II impressions

[05.16.99] » Konami shows movie; reveals gameplay, story details.

   In a surprising turn of events, Vandal Hearts II's public unveiling came at this year's E3 - and not a Japanese game show. The title was seen only in video form, but appears promising at this early stage. The graphics are pumped up, and the gameplay looks to deliver on all counts - many examples of changing and shifting terrain (for example, a drawbridge being lowered mid-battle) were highlighted. The class change system has been revamped to feature player-created character classes based on weapon and armor combinations. With over 120 weapons and armors in the game, the combinations should be manifold.

   When discussing Vandal Hearts II, the U.S. producer had high praise for Quest's genre classic Tactics Ogre, and hopes that Konami's title will capture that title's infamous moral ambiguity. Konami's press materials promise "a mature story line about human drama and the struggle of desire and honor" - fairly heady stuff. But ambitious, morally interesting storylines are infinitely preferable to the old standby, "boy joins Empire, boy discovers Empire's corruption, boy rebels against Empire," and the GIA is hopeful that Konami can pull it off. The title also shares no characters or story elements with the first Vandal Hearts. Vandal Hearts II is due for a Q4 1999 release.