Valiant Hearts: The Great War

This game shows you there is room for love and compassion even in the darkest moments of humanity.
If it doesn't make you cry, you're not human.

A bit old and short, but yet great game, which sends, an unfortunately very relevant message: war is hell, and it's regular people who always pay the biggest price

In war, the true cause worth fighting for is not the flag above our heads, but the people who stand beside us. Nations may change, borders may shift, but the love for family is eternal

one of the coolest history games ive played not to mention how it pulled on my heart strings... alot of interesting facts about war i never knew... anywho its worth a play if you enjoy learning about history and simply controls <3

Valiant Hearts: The Great War: The Forgotten War's Unforgettable Memorial
In the modern consciousness, World War I often exists as a historical footnote, a blurry prelude to the "more cinematic" World War II. We remember the trenches in abstract terms, the poppies, and perhaps a vague sense of outdated patriotism. But the visceral horror, the global scale of the suffering, and the profound way it shattered the 20th century have faded for many. This collective amnesia is precisely why Valiant Hearts: The Great War is not just a game; it is a vital, interactive memorial.
It is easy to forget the sheer, industrial-scale slaughter of WWI. We throw around numbers, but they lose their meaning.
The Human Cost:
• The Battle of the Somme (1916) : Over one million casualties in just five months.
• Total Casualties of the Conflict : An estimated 9-10 million soldiers and 7 million civilians dead, with millions more wounded.
World War II overshadows it in popular media with its clear-cut narrative of good versus evil. The First World War was different — a complex, tragic descent into a meat grinder caused by tangled alliances and imperial ambitions, where the common soldier was often a pawn.
A Human Story, Not a Heroic One
Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, it does not glorify war; it humanizes it. You do not play as an unstoppable super-soldier. You are Emile, an elderly French farmer conscripted to fight the very army his German son-in-law, Karl, is fighting for. You are Freddie, an American soldier driven by vengeance, and Anna, a brave Belgian nurse. The game brilliantly shifts perspectives, reminding us that tragedy and heroism knew no single nationality in the mud-filled chasms between the lines.
The true genius of Valiant Hearts is its emotional core. The bond between the characters and the war dog, Walt, provides a thread of loyalty and innocence through the chaos. Emile's journey, in particular, is one of the most heartbreaking narratives in gaming. It is a story not of winning, but of enduring; not of hatred, but of the love and humanity that persists even in hell.
The game's final act and its emotional conclusion deliver a message more powerful than any history textbook: for the individual soldier, the grand political causes mattered less than the person next to them and the hope of returning home.
A Timely Reminder for a Modern World
In an era where global tensions can feel unsettlingly familiar, Valiant Hearts: The Great War is more relevant than ever. It serves as a solemn, necessary reminder of the catastrophic cost when diplomacy fails and nations march blindly into a conflict no one truly understands.
This game is an essential experience. It is a beautifully crafted, interactive tombstone for a generation that was sacrificed, and a powerful plea from the past to a present that is in danger of forgetting.
Play it to remember.

This game is an important reminder about ferocity and inhumanity of the war. We should all live in peace.
The achievement " Healing hero " is awful.

VALIANT HEARTS: THE GREAT WAR 7/10
A highly enjoyable and unique game, coupled with an emotional journey.
Sadly a Ubisoft title without Steam Achievements but there are Trading Cards.
The puzzles do become a little samey and repetitive by Chapter 4, but otherwise definitely worth picking up especially if you have some respect for history.
Edit 15/4/2025:
As of April-25, Ubisoft have now retroactively added Steam Achievements which is a welcome addition.