Konami SRPG with a dark story and solid combat mechanics. Well-designed level design, progressive difficulty. Faithful PS1 to Saturn port. Less known than Fire Emblem but comparable quality. For genre fans seeking variety.
Your verdict
Category
Tactics1 player12+
Description
Turn-based tactical strategy RPG set in a fantasy civilization on the verge of collapse. Published by Konami, released in Japan in 1997. Grid-based isometric battles, evolving characters with varied classes, moral decisions influencing the narrative, colorful isometric visuals. Original Japanese version of Konami's tactical RPG, released under the same name in Europe and America.
Vandal Hearts - Ushinawareta Kodai Bunmei review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"Mild"
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Leading a tactical strategy-RPG within a threatened civilisation unfolds long turn-based battles, rich in unit management and decisions. Growing your party, outwitting the maps' traps and exploring the story fills many hours. That density, native to the tactical-RPG, offers a lifespan genre fans savour.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Is Vandal Hearts - Ushinawareta Kodai Bunmei still worth playing in 2026?
A tactical RPG from Konami, Vandal Hearts has you lead a squad of heroes in turn based battles on gridded maps, within a fantastical civilisation on the verge of vanishing. The demanding tactical system, the elevated movement grid and a mature political story, dotted with striking deaths, make a genre reference, a pioneer on 32 bit consoles. The polished production and the strategic depth appeal. For a fan of retro tactical RPGs or someone curious about Konami productions, the title keeps a remarkable demand and writing.
