DLCwolf Valiant Hearts: The Great War Review

Valiant Hearts is more of an interactive story than a traditional video game. It features a 2D side-scrolling style and follows the intertwined stories of four characters during World War I. Through their eyes, the player experiences different phases of the conflict in chronological order — from the Battle of the Frontiers, through the gas attacks at Ypres, to Verdun — always remaining on the Western Front. One of the aspects I appreciated most is the historical and environmental consistency that accompanies the progression of the war: it starts with recruitment and training phases, moves on to the first open-field battles, and then gradually introduces trenches, heavy artillery, tanks, and aerial bombardments. The atmosphere grows increasingly dark, effectively mirroring the technological and psychological evolution of the conflict. I particularly liked how the first war scenes take place in cultivated fields during the summer (as the war begins in August), among nature — with green grass, golden wheat, and blue skies — and gradually shift to long trenches and bunkers, surrounded only by brown mud and a heavy, oppressive grey sky (like in November). The gameplay is simple and accessible, and is built around: Basic environmental puzzles (levers, objects, mechanisms) Light stealth sections (avoiding patrols or shelling) Contextual mini-games (such as medical operations) Narrative exploration (letters and historical objects) The graphic style, inspired by comic books with desaturated colors and carefully drawn illustrations, perfectly matches the melancholic and reflective tone of the story. I also truly appreciated the inclusion of real documents, photographs, and brief historical explanations, which enrich the experience with educational content. The emotional impact is remarkable: it’s easy to empathize with the characters, shifting from moments of sweetness and hope to scenes of sorrow and tragedy. In about eight hours of gameplay, the title effectively conveys the feeling of disorientation, sacrifice, and inhumanity that defined that period. If I had to raise a few criticisms, I would mention two elements that convinced me less: the inclusion of an African-American character from the very start of the conflict — historically uncommon in that specific European context — and some overly "exaggerated" narrative choices, like the giant war zeppelin, which disrupt the otherwise realistic and tragic tone of the experience. These are details that could have been revised to preserve greater historical accuracy. Nevertheless, Valiant Hearts remains a beautiful game — deeply human, educational, and moving. It’s an experience I would recommend even to younger players or those who don’t usually play video games, as a way to better understand the devastating emotional impact of war on ordinary people.