An engrossing game with a dark historical context
Valiant Hearts: Coming Home is a narrative-driven game from Netflix that revolves around the challenges faced by soldiers in World War I. Developed as a follow-up to Ubisoft's critically-acclaimed Valiant Hearts game, this gaming platform engages players in a raw and authentic depiction that resembles the actual struggles of soldiers during the course of the Great War.
Valiant Hearts: Coming Home blends graphic novel elements with playable characters, historical documents, letters, and photographs seamlessly to create an engaging storyline. The game features a variety of environments to explore, and each character has a distinct narrative arc.
Emotional take on wartime brutalities
Valiant Hearts: Coming Home provides a unique perspective on World War I by portraying the conflict from the viewpoint of individuals rather than focusing on combat sequences. The plot revolves around five diverse characters whose fates are interwoven with each other as they try to survive the perils of war—brothers Freddie and James; Anna, a Belgian medic; Ernst, a German sailor; and George, a British pilot.
Divided into four chapters, the game features an artfully balanced tempo to ensure that it neither rushes nor drags the storyline. Although this platform is billed as a roguelike RPG, it is actually much more. Players must solve numerous puzzles, interact with non-playable characters (NPCs), and make the correct decision at the appropriate time. It also involves switching between characters to progress successfully through the game.
The game’s mechanics requires players to control one of the four characters and navigate through different environments based on real-life locations. In terms of graphics, the game combines hand-drawn illustrations of cartoonish designs with a mostly muted color palette to reflect the grim realities of the Great War more accurately. However, it is important to note that this game is solely accessible by means of a Netflix membership.
For history aficionados
Overall, Valiant Hearts: Coming Home is a meticulously researched and emotional game that accurately depicts the atrocities of World War I while maintaining an engaging and vibrant story. The unique characters and stunning visuals make the game a must-play for any gamer interested in war history and adventure games. Moreover, it is a testament to the potential of video games as a medium for storytelling and education.
