Valiant Hearts
Released back in 2014, Valiant Hearts is a puzzle-adventure game that’s set during World War I. While war titles are far from uncommon in modern gaming, it’s the brilliant character study and visuals that make this title stand out amongst others. Instead of focusing around the actual action, Valiant Hearts uses the combat between armies as a way to tell five very small, personal stories across the globe. These offer a varied perspective on the war itself and help drive the player forward into each person’s outcome.
The gorgeous visual style works best in conveying the atrocities of this war. While it may have a pop-up book aesthetic, Valiant Hearts does a wonderful job in showcasing a variety of locations that range from the French Countryside to a trench full of dead bodies and gunfire. Couple this with a narrator who helps lend context to each scenario, and you have one of the most memorable games of 2014.
