Vanguard Bandits

"If you like strategy RPG's and big armored robots, this game is for you."

OK, I being a huge fan of the strategy/RPG genre, especially Final Fantasy Tactics and Front Mission 3, jumped at the chance when I saw this game. I am a strict beleiver that guns shouldn't be in RPG's. They just don't work. No guns in this one. Swords and the occasional axe and spear. Very cool. So, if you're into just RPG's or just big armored suits, this game is definetly for you.

Gameplay 10/10
The move system is nothing special but the genre needed no change in that. If you haven't played this, it's the AP system, moving drains so much and so do attacks. Also the fights are cool. I could do without the same stupid comments at the bottom, but they don't affect much. Oh, and you can heal if you get your characters high enough in level for people who are going through and reading all of the reviews.

Graphics 9/10
No game can have perfect graphics, but hey, these aren't too bad. The characters could have used some more work but I guess that's what you get when you go for anime, not polygons.

Music 5/10
This is the only thing I had wrong with this game. The only good music is the first 20 seconds of the main menu screen. The music is intolerable at best and I found myself turning down the volume all the way and listening to music through headphones. Which is a real shame because the clanking and banging of the weapons and armor was really well done. I swear the music sounds like a bad genesis game's music.

Story 10/10
This game is played out in missions. There are about 5 different endings(just a guess) and in some, your best friends are your enemies and vice-versa. Also this game is relatively short. But is made in replay value with the many stories. For the decent player with a lot of free it would only take one renting to beat a story.

Rent or Buy
I'd say rent first, turn off the volume and see how you like it. If you're really into the gameplay, go for the buy.

Overall Vanguard Bandits is a fun game. Anyone who likes the strategy/RPG genre will like this. Again, the mute button will come into play for this game, unless you like corny, almost bad Midi sounding music.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/06/00, Updated 09/06/00