Vandal Hearts
↘ 34%
😊 7.8/10
(Playstation - JP, RPG)
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Developed_By:
Konami
Published_By:
Konami
Released On:
25 Oct 1996
Also available on:
Vandal Hearts is a turn-based strategy RPG. It follows a fixed plot-line with set battles, focusing more on strategic elements than adventure elements. The game takes place in an alternate universe where humans and demons coexist, leading to a complex web of politics and alliances.
The combat takes place in a series of 3D grid based maps and each character in the party has a certain amount of movements they can perform each turn. As the game progresses, other characters join and leave the party and as they increase in level they can progress along different paths of development. Between each battle there is a cut scene that develops the plot using the same 3D engine as the combat (and often the same areas).
In between battles you have the opportunity to talk to people in cities as well as purchase different equipment for the up coming battles.
EAN-13:
4988602025903 (Japan)
EAN-13:
4988602101089 (Japan)
UPC-A:
4988602426519 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-86007 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-86067 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-87278 (Japan)
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Input Devices Required:
Gamepad
Number of Offline Players:
1 Player
Save Game Methods:
External Storage
Number of Players Supported:
1 Player
Prices as of 12 Sep 2026
Typical $10.83–$12.70 (last 90 days)
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This is a fantasy role-playing game where players experience a world recovering from a revolution and facing new threats. You will likely lead a party of heroes, navigating political intrigue and combat to protect the fledgling republic of Ishtaria.
Story
Prologue
For over a millennium, the fertile lands in the heart of Sostegaria were ruled by the Holy Ashah Dynasty, descendants of Toroah the Messiah. Amidst wealth and exotic pleasures, the nobility sank into corruption and depravity, forgetting Toroah's holy teaching.
In these days of unrest, citizens struggling under an oppressive regime rose up. Under the leadership of Arris the Sage, they took up arms against the Kingdom. This was the first outbreak of violence in what would later be known simply as "The Revolution."
The Royal Army's counterattack was swift and fierce. However, they were repeatedly put to flight by the cunning strategies of Arris and the indomitable will of the advancing Liberation Army.
With victory in hand, the rebels set up a Council and worked to establish the continent's first democracy. The republic of "Ishtaria" was born.
However, Arris the Sage, whom all hoped would lead the country, mysteriously vanished and has not been seen again to this day. Now, 15 years later, the shadow of war once again threatens Ishtaria.
Outskirts of Ishtaria
The Flame of Judgment, with its fierce force, burns the capital of Braph. It seems to be trying to wipe out every human, beast, and bird.
Toroah was blessed in front of God. The Legend of Toroah states that Toroah is the person who will lead the way for the chosen people of this world.
200 days after the deadly disaster, the Ark of Toroah finally arrived at a green land of purity. Toroah—the chosen one—blessed his descendants before his death and said: "Establish this place as a holy land and teach all to follow the holy commandments, and all people under the sky shall remain in peace forever."
This is where the name Ishtaria—ceded land—originates.
•
From chapter 24 of 'Genesis of Sostegaria'
Controls
L2 Button
Tilt camera down
Directional Buttons
Move cursor
L1 Button
Rotate view left
R2 Button
Tilt camera up
R1 Button
Rotate view right
▲ Button
View strategic overhead map on Battle Map screens
■ Button
Select next character on Battle Map screens
O Button
ACTION-use to open command windows and execute a command
SELECT Button
Not used
START Button
Not used
X Button
CANCEL-use to go back to previous command windows or cancel a selection
How to Play
The Flow of the Game
Vandal-Hearts consists of three types of navigation screens: World Map, Village/Town, and Battle Map.
World Map
This map shows an enlarged area of Sostegaria where Ash and his companions travel. Selecting the Move command allows you to go to a Village/Town or Battle map.
Village/Town Map
You can visit facilities like shops and taverns in villages and towns throughout Sostegaria. Sometimes, other interesting places will be available to visit.
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Shops: Buy and sell armor, weapons, and other items.
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Taverns: Talk to locals to get information about current events in the area.
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Dojos: Seek out wise teachers in these training facilities for personal and spiritual growth. When your characters reach the 10th and 20th levels (based on experience points earned), they can advance to new classifications.
Battle Map
If you move around on the World Map, or an event takes place in a Village or Town, the screen will switch to a Battle Map.
Beginning the Game
After starting Vandal Hearts, you will see the Title screen with three choices: New Game, Load Game, or Options. Your first time, you will likely select New Game (or Options). After that, you may wish to restore a previously saved adventure. We strongly recommend saving your games frequently!
When you start a New Game, you will see an informative introductory story, then you will be thrown into the action.
If you select Load Game, you can highlight one saved game (you can save 1-3 games from the map screens), or one in-battle save.
Selecting Options allows you to change the Text Speed (which controls how quickly text is written in message balloons) or Sound. Select either Stereo or Mono, depending on your system configuration.
Troop Attributes
Your troops (characters in the game) are categorized into seven groups based on their attributes. Within each category, there are several classes.
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KNIGHT: The major fighting unit; balanced offense & defense.
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Classes: Soldier/Hero/Swordsman/Champion/Duelist/Paragon
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ARMOR: Strong physical attack, but weak mobility.
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Classes: Guardsman/Dragoon
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ARCHER: With mighty bows, they attack from a distance.
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Classes: Archer/Bowman/Sniper
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AIRMAN: High mobility, able to jump past enemy units which block paths, and the ability to hover over water.
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Classes: Hawknight/Sky Lord
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MAGE: Weak physical attack, but masters of arcane spells.
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Classes: Mage/Sorcerer/Enchanter
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PRIEST: Weak physical attack, but powerful healers.
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Classes: Healer/Bishop/Archbishop
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MONK: Spiritual, magic-using disciples of the martial arts.
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Classes: Monk/Ninja
Attack Strength
The attack strength of each category is different. Keep this in mind when formulating your battle strategy. Also, check with one of the dojo's teachers for more advice about battle strategy and troop advantages.
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MONKS are similar to KNIGHTS, but weaker.
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PRIESTS and MAGES have strong magical attacks.
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ARMOR is weak against magical attacks.
Battle System
Your advancement through Vandal-Hearts will depend on your ability to wage war against your foes. Some victories will come when you have defeated numerous enemy forces. At other times, you may have to defeat one foe, or accomplish a goal within a given period of time.
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Before each battle, you will see the conditions for victory and defeat. The fight will then begin and go on until one of the conditions is met.
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If you are successful, you will see the battle results and be awarded gold for each enemy defeated. Gold is subtracted for each member of your party that is defeated in battle.
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If you lose, you will have the option of starting over from the beginning of that battle, or from a saved game on your memory card.
Positioning for the Attack
Attacking an enemy from the right position is important to your success. A defender has more protection from the front and is more vulnerable from the rear. The amount of damage inflicted, as measured in loss of hit points, is greatest when attacking from the back, strong from the side, and normal from the front.
Likewise, positioning yourself above an opponent gives you an advantage. Your attack will be stronger, and their defense will be weaker.
Supporting Tactics
Having your allies support you in battle increases your attack strength. The more support you have, the greater the damage you will do to an enemy troop.
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Support bonus +1 (normal attack)
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Support bonus = +2
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Support bonus = +3
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Support bonus = +4
In the game, you will be able to distinguish between allies and enemy troops by the colored icons below each character. Your friendly troops have BLUE icons beneath them, and your enemies have RED icons.
Bow attacks can be affected by elevation and obstacles. An archer can shoot farther from atop a hill than he/she can from a low vantage point. Also, some objects may create blind spots that an archer cannot reach. For example, if you are being attacked by archers atop a building, then standing against the wall of the building may create a blind spot where the enemy archer can't see you as a target.
Obstacles
In some battle maps, your party may find crates or boulders blocking their paths. These items can be manipulated by standing
Enemies & Characters
Ash Lambert
The hero of our story.
Eleni
Diego
Clint
Kira
Huxley
Grog
Dolan
Amon
Sara
Arris
Zohar
Kane
Dolf
Darius
Magnus
Hel Spites
Items & Weapons
Herb and Mega Herb
Recover some Hit Points (HP).
Mage Oil
Recover 4 Magic Points (MP).
Mage Gem
Recover 10 MP.
Elixer
Cures poison and paralysis.
Holy H2O
Recover HP for all characters in your party.
Life Orb
Recover all HP and MP.
Fire Gem
Attack magic with Range = 3, Field = 1.
Mood Ring
Attack magic with Range = 0, Field = 2.
Aura Gem
Attack magic with Range = 5, Field = 3.
Wyrm Fang
Attack magic with Range = 0, Field = 8.
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