Valiant Hearts: The Great War, a puzzle adventure game crafted by Ubisoft Montpellier and published by Ubisoft in 2014, takes players on a poignant journey through World War I. Available on various platforms including Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, the game weaves a narrative around four characters aiding a young German soldier in his quest to reunite with his love amidst the chaos of war. With themes of survival, sacrifice, and friendship at its core, players navigate through puzzles by interacting with diverse objects and individuals, accompanied by a loyal canine companion named Walt. Each chapter conceals collectible items offering insights into the historical backdrop of the war.
The development team’s primary objective was to commemorate the centenary of World War I by fostering remembrance among players. Eschewing the conventional war game or first-person shooter approach, the team focused on portraying the human experiences and hardships endured by soldiers on both sides of the conflict. Drawing inspiration from firsthand accounts, wartime letters, and visits to French trench remnants, the team strove for historical authenticity. Despite lacking prior experience in puzzle game development, they drew inspiration from classic LucasArts adventures and titles like The Cave. Valiant Hearts employs the UbiArt Framework, previously utilized in Rayman Legends, to bring its immersive world to life. Upon its debut, The Great War garnered favorable reviews, commended for its thematic depth, captivating visuals, animation, and evocative music. Critics lauded Ubisoft’s endeavor to educate players about history through gameplay. However, opinions on the game’s narrative and mechanics varied. Noteworthy nominations included Best Narrative at The Game Awards 2014. Ubisoft expanded the game’s reach by releasing it on additional platforms such as iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia. A direct sequel, Valiant Hearts: Coming Home, debuted on Netflix’s gaming library for iOS and Android in January 2023, followed by a wider release on various platforms including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in March 2024 through Ubisoft Connect and Ubisoft+ subscription service.
Valiant Hearts presents a side-scrolling adventure set against the backdrop of World War I, featuring puzzle-based gameplay. Players navigate the story through the perspectives of four characters: Emile, a Frenchman; his German son-in-law Karl; American soldier Freddie; and Belgian nurse Anna.
The game unfolds across four chapters, each subdivided into multiple sections, wherein players must fulfill objectives to advance the narrative. These tasks primarily revolve around puzzle-solving, requiring players to obtain specific items relevant to the scenario. Additionally, gameplay encompasses wartime sequences, stealth segments necessitating evasion of enemy detection, and rhythmic car chases set to iconic songs. Each character possesses distinct abilities, such as Emile’s shovel for digging through soft ground, Freddie’s wire-cutting skills, and Anna’s medical expertise, involving timed button presses to treat injuries.
Integral to gameplay is the player’s interaction with Walt, a canine companion capable of navigating tight spaces, retrieving items, activating switches, and moving stealthily to avoid enemy detection. Furthermore, the game incorporates hidden collectibles within segments, unlocking historical facts about the war as progress is made, along with a hint system accessible to aid players encountering obstacles.
