Valiant Hearts: The Great War is a unique, story-rich adventure game that puts you in the shoes of ordinary people caught in the maelstrom of World War I. You'll play as Emile, a French farmer conscripted into service, and other characters, solving puzzles and navigating treacherous environments. It's a poignant, atmospheric experience with a fantastic soundtrack, perfect for anyone looking for a more introspective take on war.
This guide will help you through every step of Emile's journey, from mastering his tools to collecting all the hidden historical artifacts scattered across levels like "No Man's Land" and "Gas Attack & Rescue." We'll cover how to earn Gold Medals in every section and ensure you don't miss any crucial items, making your emotional journey through the Great War as smooth as possible.
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Find all missable and hidden collectibles in Valiant Hearts: The Great War, including German helmets, letters, and more. Detailed walkthrough for Chapter 1.
- 1Chapter 1: Dark Clouds – PART 1: Casern
- German helmet – missable, in path. Found within minutes, before your second melee victim. Can be picked up from the remains of the dummy destroyed with the grenade.
- 2Tinder lighter – missable, in view. After the second grenade kill, before raising the flag. Located to the right, just beyond the flag.
- 3Chapter 1: Dark Clouds – PART 2: Marne Battle
- French identification tag – hidden, in path. Found before passing the flag carrier, behind a wooden cart.
- 4Gold button from a French uniform – missable, in view. Before throwing grenades, located to the right, just under the rubble.
- 5HQ map – missable, in view. After finding the dynamite, before using it. Located to the right, near the water.
- 6German cartridges – in path. Found at the bottom of the slope, before the rope ladder, before leaving the bridge behind on the other side.
- 7Embroidery – off path. After climbing the ladder, before the stairs, outside on the right behind an obstacle.
- 8A letter from a German soldier – missable, enemy drop. Drops from the soldier on the right, found after reaching the roof and before touching the flag.
- 9Chapter 1: Dark Clouds – PART 3: Neuve-Chapelle
- Photo frame – in view. On the far left, just beyond the cooking pot, before wheeling out the cooked food.
- 10Valiant Stories Contest Memorabilia – off path. Found after descending into tunnels, before leaving them. Located beyond a soft wall on the left after digging down and going down a ladder.
- 11Crucifix – missable, off path, tricky. After leaving the tunnels, use the dog to dig and knock down a ladder on the left. Dig into the safe side of the wall.
- 12Compass – missable, in view, off path. In a dangerous digging area with explosives, before charging ahead. Requires digging an upwards diagonal.
- 13French coins – missable, in path. In the puddle just outside the tunnel entrance, can be picked up while charging the front, but stop before progressing deeper into the tunnel.
- 14Khukuri knife – missable, in path. On the floor at the top of the slope, before the tower’s first ladder, found after solving the dynamite puzzle and going aboveground.
- 15Chapter 1: Dark Clouds – PART 4: Ypres
- Canadian identification tag – in view. While using the makeshift elevator, climb over the crate or send Walt for it, before the room with the gas pipes puzzle.
- 16Urine soaked cloth – in path. In the room with the gas pipes puzzle, can be collected before or after the puzzle.
- Remember that many items are missable and require careful exploration before progressing.
- Use Walt, the dog, to access certain areas and items, especially in Chapter 1, Part 3.
- Pay attention to the descriptions and locations to avoid missing collectibles.
- Collecting all items in Chapter 1 contributes towards the “Never forget” trophy.
- Story trophies like “Forward, March”, “A new friendship is born”, and “Good doggy” are also encountered in this chapter.
--------------------------CHILD OF LIGHT WALKTHROUGH---------------------------
Your friendly guide to Valiant Hearts: The Great War. Learn about Emile, Freddie, Anna, Karl, and Walt, and how to navigate the challenging puzzles and story.
Valiant Hearts: The Great War Walkthrough
Hey there! So, you're diving into Valiant Hearts: The Great War? Awesome choice! This game is a real gem, blending a touching story with some clever puzzles. I'm here to help you through it, just like a seasoned friend would.
Synopsis
At its heart, Valiant Hearts is about connection and perseverance during the brutal backdrop of World War I. You'll follow the intertwined stories of five characters: Emile, Freddie, Anna, Karl, and Walt the dog. Their paths cross as they navigate the war-torn landscapes between 1914 and 1918, all driven by a common goal: to reunite a young German soldier, Karl, with his lost love. Each character has unique ways of tackling challenges, like Emile using a bone as a lever or Freddie using wire-cutters. The game's art style is really something special – think hand-drawn comic book, which creates a striking contrast with the grim reality of war.
Player Characters
You'll get to play as a few different folks, each with their own reasons for being on the front lines:
- Emile: A French farmer drafted into the army. He ends up as a POW but is rescued and then searches for his son-in-law, Karl.
- Freddie: An American volunteer fighting to avenge his wife, who was killed by Baron Von Dorf's regiment.
- Anna: A Belgian nurse on a mission to find her father, who was kidnapped by Baron Von Dorf.
- Karl: A German soldier who married Emile's daughter, Marie.
- Walt: A brave Doberman pinscher, a German medic's dog who plays a key role in helping each character.
Gameplay Mechanics & Tips
Valiant Hearts isn't about fast reflexes; it's about observation and puzzle-solving. You'll often need to find specific items to progress, like keys, tools, or even just things to distract guards. Keep an eye out for:
- Interactive Objects: Almost everything in the environment can be interacted with. Click on things to see if they're useful!
- Item Combinations: Sometimes you'll need to combine items in your inventory to create a new tool.
- Environmental Puzzles: These range from figuring out how to disable traps to navigating complex machinery. Pay attention to the visual cues!
- Walt's Help: Walt is super useful for fetching items or distracting enemies. Use his abilities wisely!
Collectibles and Achievements
As you play, you'll find hidden collectibles scattered throughout the levels. Finding these can unlock interesting historical facts and add to your overall score. There are 20 in-game achievements in total. Ten of these you'll get just by playing through the story, but the other 10 require a bit more effort and exploration. Don't be afraid to backtrack a little if you think you missed something!
Navigating the Trenches
The game does a fantastic job of portraying the harsh realities of WWI, but it can get a bit intense. Remember to take breaks if you need them. The puzzles are designed to make you think, so if you're stuck, try looking at the problem from a different angle or interacting with something you might have overlooked. Sometimes, the simplest solution is the right one.
Enjoy your journey through Valiant Hearts: The Great War. It's a memorable experience!
1. INTRODUCTION [100]
Welcome to the Valiant Hearts: The Great War walkthrough! Find help with progression, collectibles, and game mechanics in this guide.
Hey there! Welcome to the guide for Valiant Hearts: The Great War. Whether you're trying to push through the story, hunt down every last collectible, or just get a handle on how the game works, you've come to the right place. Think of this as your friendly co-pilot through this unique wartime experience.
Right after this intro, you'll find a few different sections to help you out. We've got a set of FAQs that cover some basic introductory stuff in a pretty unique way. Then, there's a section on Game Notes where we'll dive a bit deeper into the game's systems, items, and combat mechanics – some of this might even be in the game's manual, but we'll break it down here.
The main part of the guide is the walkthrough itself. It'll take you through the game's chapters, focusing on where to go, what to collect, how to handle enemies and bosses, and how to solve any puzzles you run into. Stick with it, and you'll be seeing the credits roll before you know it!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS [101]
Frequently asked questions about Valiant Hearts: The Great War, including story, characters, difficulty, and multiplayer.
- 1What is Valiant Hearts: The Great War?
Valiant Hearts: The Great War is a 2-D adventure and role-playing game (RPG) developed by UBISOFT and released on April 29, 2014. It is available digitally across most current gaming platforms. The game is a standalone title, not part of any franchise or series, featuring a whimsical visual and narrative style reminiscent of an illustrated fairy tale, along with a distinctive combat system.
- 2What's this game about? What's the story? Who are the characters?
The protagonist is a young girl named AURORA, a princess from the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the late 19th century. After her mother's death, Aurora seemingly dies but awakens in a dream world called LEMURIA. To return home, she must restore the SUN, MOON, and STARS, and battle the forces of the DARK QUEEN. Aurora journeys through Lemuria, meeting friends who help her find her way back.
- 3Is this a game for little girls?
Valiant Hearts: The Great War can be played by anyone. While players who prefer not to play as a fairy princess might not enjoy it, those who can look past this will find an enjoyable game. It offers an 'RPG-lite' experience suitable for introducing new players to the genre. Although it can be simple, its charming style is enjoyable for all. However, the story involves themes of death, so it may not be suitable for very young children.
- 4Is this game easy or difficult?
The game features two difficulty levels: easy and difficult, formerly labeled for RPG novices and experts, respectively. The difficult mode increases combat challenge. Most of the game's challenge stems from combat, which requires some skill even on easy mode, especially for bosses. The combat system is faster and more complex than typical RPGs, but mastering the CASTING system, INTERRUPTS, and appropriate SPECIAL ABILITIES for different enemies can make combat predictable.
- 5Does this game have multiplayer?
There is a limited second-player helper option. The second player controls a helper character, which would otherwise be managed by the second thumbstick. This helper character can perform useful actions such as healing, collecting items, slowing enemies, and solving puzzles. This feature is intended to allow gamer dads to introduce their daughters to the RPG genre.
- 6What is up with the dialogue in this game?
Most dialogue in Valiant Hearts: The Great War rhymes, contributing to its fairy tale feel but sometimes constraining information delivery. Whether humorous or grating, the rhyming style can interfere with understanding. This issue may be compounded by the game being translated from awkwardly rhyming French, though this is an exaggeration of the problem's size.
- 7Is the game any good?
The game was well-received by some reviewers and the author.
- 8What are the differences between versions?
The WiiU version does not include achievements or DLC (downloadable content — extra missions or items released after launch). On STEAM, oculi are sold for real money. Players are advised not to purchase oculi or Stardust for real money.
- 9How do I read this guide?
To find tips for a specific level, use the table of contents to locate the bracketed number [xxx] and search for it using Ctrl+F to skip directly to that section. Important TERMS or SYSTEMS that are being introduced will likely be CAPITALIZED to draw attention.
- Consider the rhyming dialogue and its potential impact on clarity.
- Mastering the CASTING system and INTERRUPTS is key to overcoming combat challenges.
- The second-player helper option can be useful for specific tasks and cooperative play.
- Do not purchase in-game items like oculi or Stardust with real money.
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