Vanguard Bandits

"Uninspired srpg"

Vanguard Bandits was one of the final Working Design games I needed and after search for awhile I did find a copy but I'm just now getting around to playing it. How does it hold up though? Does it have a classic lasting appeal like Final Fantasy Tactics or is it a mediocre tactics RPG ala Vandal hearts 2?

A young boy, his father, and a best friend named Puck set out to stop the evil empire. Yadda Yadda. I've heard it a hundred times before and this game does absolutely nothing original with the theme or ideas presented here. It's a shame to because with Working Design we usually get a solid game and a solid story but this time their talent is wasted and the dialog is rather bland and lifeless. Not only that but the font used in the game caused me to squint to try and read it as it sometimes blurred.

The graphics are mostly sprites. Be it the maps or the characters. However the game will jump into a battle screen when you or the enemy attacks and it showcases some 3D models that look like generic Gundams. Characters are pretty basic for the time. We have the colorful haired heroes instead of the spiky haired heroes.

While there is a vocal track or two featured in the game I must openly admit that rest of the music is not only dated by the standards of now but even when this game came out I would have to say they were dated. The music featured here really sounds as if it came from an 8bit title. Sound effects are sub par and not worth talking about. The game features limited and cheesy voice work. Got to love that the ending fights have voice work with no subs but a sweet rock pop vocal track.

Control is simple and responsive. Everything is pretty much menu based. You move along a grid so I don't think there is anyway not to know how to play this game.

Just like every SRPG before and after this one it stays to a very basic idea. Kill all enemies on the board to finish the map. With 53 maps the game can take a while and oh boy it will.

Besides just killing guys you move around the map, attack from sides or behind. As usual it's all about strategy and trying to pace yourself so the enemy leaves themselves open and not you doing it for them. Not that the AI is overly smart though.

Really don't know what else to say about the game play. It's a generic game through and through and I'm surprised that WD brought it over. It does have some customization and other stuff dealing with the mechs but oddly enough there are some unattainable items as well so it seems like the programmers got a bit sloppy somewhere along the way as well.

The game will last a while but I really can't recommend this game to anyone. As a Working Design fan I'm insulted. Not only that but as a SRPG fan I feel sickened by the blatant ho-hum factor of this game. Not worth the effort of finding a copy, let alone the disc it was put on.

Story - 5/10
Graphics - 6/10
Sound - 4/10
Control - 9/10
Game Play - 5/10
Replay Value - 4/10

Final Score - 4/10

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 11/14/07

Game Release: Vanguard Bandits (US, 04/29/00)