Overview:
- Estimated achievement difficulty: 2-3/10 [based on SRPG skill]
- Offline: 12 [200]
- Online: 0
- Approximate amount of time to 200: 12-15 hours
- Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1.5 [with a properly timed save file - refer to 'Abbreviated Walkthrough' for explanation]
- Missable achievements: 4 ["Explorer", "Wanderlust", "Champion of Sostegaria/Hero of Sostegaria", "Serenity and Fury"]
- Does difficulty affect achievements: No
- Unobtainable/glitched achievements: None
- Extra equipment needed: None
Introduction:
Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment is a prequel to the successful Vandal Hearts series, launched decades ago to mass appeal. Created in 2009, this is a throwback to a genre not well represented on the 360, but is a fun little SRPG that should tickle the fancy of anyone who enjoys the genre. You begin the game in control of your main orphaned protagonists, Tobias and Calvin, as you are going through the motions of yet another day at your church's school's training program. Attacked by raiders, you and your mentor must defend yourselves and unravel the mysteries and adventures that ensue.
Of the achievements, five are unlocked simply by playing and finishing the story, netting you 80. If you're aiming towards 100% completion, two playthroughs are needed but can be reduced to one playthrough and a little bit by following this roadmap. It will take at least 15 hours to fully complete the game once and reload the last part for the second ending, but it will take up to 20 hours if you're willing to do two full playthroughs.
Abbreviated Walkthrough:
Play through the game, taking note of the conversation choices you are making towards favoring Altyria and Luce, alternating between the two up until Gillbaris Research Facility (the point of no return), leading to the unlocking of "Champion of Sostegaria", "Hero of Sostegaria", and "Serenity and Fury". If you do not properly alternate your choices and make a save file in the correct location before Gillbaris Research Facility, you will require a second playthrough. Make sure you are also collecting the items required to unlock the optional battlegrounds, leading to the unlocking of "Explorer" and "Wanderlust".
Mop-Up:
As long as you follow the directions given for the story-related missables and "Wanderlust", the only mop-up will be loading your alternate save and completing the end part of the game a second time to unlock the final two achievements.
Conclusion:
Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment is a fun little SRPG that involves very little actual strategy if you are a fan of the genre or have any experience in the series, but tells a nice tale and should occupy you for 10-20hrs of enjoyment. Overall, this game is a relatively easy 200.
[XBA would like to thank Trikke and Floyd. for this Roadmap]