Vanguard Bandits gameplay. Tips - Vanguard Bandits Vanguard bandits walkthrough and secrets

Slots
1st character slot:
Changing the picture: 300B7964 00??
Max. level and hit points: 300B7965 00FF | 800B7966 01F4
Level change: 800B7966 ????
Amulet change: 300B7968 00??
Hero name change: 300B7969 00??
Max. spirit: 800B796A 03E7
Max. parameter "OSN": 300B796C 0020
Max. parameter "POWER": 300B796D 0020
Max. parameter "UMN": 300B796E 0020
Max. parameter "Dex": 300B796F 0020
Max. parameter "PROTECTION": 300B7970 0020
Max. parameter "ORZH": 300B7971 0020
Max. experience: 50000302 0000 | 800B796C 2020
Equipped ATK: 300B7978 00??

2nd character slot:
Change picture: 300B799C 00??
Max. level and hit points: 300B799D 00FF | 800B799E01F4
Level change: 800B799E ????
Amulet change: 300B79A0 00??
Hero name change: 300B79A1 00??
Max. spirit: 800B79A2 03E7
Max. parameter "OSN": 300B79A4 0020
Max. parameter "POWER": 300B79A5 0020
Max. parameter "UMN": 300B79A6 0020
Max. parameter "Dex": 300B79A7 0020
Max. parameter "PROTECTION": 300B79A8 0020
Max. parameter "ORZH": 300B79A9 0020
Max. experience: 50000302 0000 | 800B79A4 2020
Equipped ATK: 300B79B0 00??

3rd character slot:
Changing the picture: 300B79D4 00??
Max. level and hit points: 300B79D5 00FF | 800B79D6 01F4
Level change: 800B79D6 ????
Amulet change: 300B79D8 00??
Hero name change: 300B79D9 00??
Max. spirit: 800B79DA 03E7
Max. parameter "OSN": 300B79DC 0020
Max. parameter "POWER": 300B79DD 0020
Max. parameter "UMN": 300B79DE 0020
Max. parameter "Dex": 300B79DF 0020
Max. parameter "PROTECTION": 300B79E0 0020
Max. parameter "ORZH": 300B79E1 0020
Max. experience: 50000302 0000 | 800B79DC 2020
Equipped ATK: 300B79E8 00??

4th character slot:
Change picture: 300B7A0C 00??
Max. level and hit points: 300B7A0D 00FF | 800B7A0E 01F4
Level change: 800B7A0E ????
Amulet change: 300B7A10 00??
Hero name change: 300B7A11 00??
Max. spirit: 800B7A12 03E7
Max. parameter "OSN": 300B7A14 0020
Max. parameter "POWER": 300B7A15 0020
Max. parameter "UMN": 300B7A16 0020
Max. parameter "Dex": 300B7A17 0020
Max. parameter "PROTECTION": 300B7A18 0020
Max. parameter "ORZH": 300B7A19 0020
Max. experience: 50000302 0000 | 800B7A14 2020
Equipped ATK: 300B7A20 00??

5th character slot:
Changing the picture: 300B7A44 00??
Max. level and hit points: 300B7A45 00FF | 800B7A46 01F4
Level change: 800B7A46 ????
Amulet change: 300B7A48 00??
Hero name change: 300B7A49 00??
Max. spirit: 800B7A4A 03E7
Max. parameter "OSN": 300B7A4C 0020
Max. parameter "POWER": 300B7A4D 0020
Max. parameter "UMN": 300B7A4E 0020
Max. parameter "Dex": 300B7A4F 0020
Max. parameter "PROTECTION": 300B7A50 0020
Max. parameter "ORZH": 300B7A51 0020
Max. experience: 50000302 0000 | 800B7A4C 2020
Equipped ATK: 300B7A58 00??

6th character slot:
Change picture: 300B7A7C 00??
Max. level and hit points: 300B7A7D 00FF | 800B7A7E01F4
Level change: 800B7A7E ????
Amulet change: 300B7A80 00??
Hero name change: 300B7A81 00??
Max. spirit: 800B7A82 03E7
Max. parameter "OSN": 300B7A84 0020
Max. parameter "POWER": 300B7A85 0020
Max. parameter "UMN": 300B7A86 0020
Max. parameter "Dex": 300B7A87 0020
Max. parameter "PROTECTION": 300B7A88 0020
Max. parameter "ORZH": 300B7A89 0020
Max. experience: 50000302 0000 | 800B7A84 2020
Equipped ATK: 300B7A90 00??

7th character slot:

Amulet change: 300B7AB8 00??
Hero name change: 300B7AB9 00??
Max. spirit: 800B7ABA 03E7
Max. parameter "OSN": 300B7ABC 0020
Max. parameter "POWER": 300B7ABD 0020
Max. parameter "UMN": 300B7ABE 0020
Max. parameter "Dex": 300B7ABF 0020
Max. parameter "PROTECTION": 300B7AC0 0020
Max. parameter "ORZH": 300B7AC1 0020
Max. experience: 50000302 0000 | 800B7ABC 2020
Equipped ATK: 300B7AC8 00??

8th character slot:
Change picture: 300B7AB4 00??
Max. level and hit points: 300B7AB5 00FF | 800B7AB6 01F4
Level change: 800B7AB6 ????
Amulet change: 300B7AF0 00??
Hero name change: 300B7AF1 00??
Max. spirit: 800B7AF2 03E7
Max. parameter "OSN": 300B7AF4 0020
Max. parameter "POWER": 300B7AF5 0020
Max. parameter "UMN": 300B7AF6 0020
Max. parameter "Dex": 300B7AF7 0020
Max. parameter "PROTECTION": 300B7AF8 0020
Max. parameter "ORZH": 300B7AF9 0020
Max. experience: 50000302 0000 | 800B7AF4 2020
Equipped ATK: 300B7B00 00??

9th character slot:
Changing the picture: 300B7B24 00??
Max. level and hit points: 300B7B25 00FF | 800B7B26 01F4
Level change: 800B7B26 ????
Amulet change: 300B7B28 00??
Hero name change: 300B7B29 00??
Max. spirit: 800B7B2A 03E7
Max. parameter "OSN": 300B7B2C 0020
Max. parameter "POWER": 300B7B2D 0020
Max. parameter "UMN": 300B7B2E 0020
Max. parameter "Dex": 300B7B2F 0020
Max. parameter "PROTECTION": 300B7B30 0020
Max. parameter "ORZH": 300B7B31 0020
Max. experience: 50000302 0000 | 800B7B2C 2020
Equipped ATK: 300B7B38 00??

10th character slot:
Change picture: 300B7B5C 00??
Max. level and hit points: 300B7B5D 00FF | 800B7B5E01F4
Level change: 800B7B5E ????
Amulet change: 300B7B60 00??
Hero name change: 300B7B61 00??
Max. spirit: 800B7B62 03E7
Max. parameter "OSN": 300B7B64 0020
Max. parameter "POWER": 300B7B65 0020
Max. parameter "UMN": 300B7B66 0020
Max. parameter "Dex": 300B7B67 0020
Max. parameter "PROTECTION": 300B7B68 0020
Max. parameter "ORZH": 300B7B69 0020
Max. experience: 50000302 0000 | 800B7B64 2020
Equipped ATK: 300B7B70 00??

11th character slot:
Changing the picture: 300B7B94 00??
Max. level and hit points: 300B7B95 00FF | 800B7B96 01F4
Level change: 800B7B96 ????
Amulet change: 300B7B98 00??
Hero name change: 300B7B99 00??
Max. spirit: 800B7B9A 03E7
Max. parameter "OSN": 300B7B9C 0020
Max. parameter "POWER": 300B7B9D 0020
Max. parameter "UMN": 300B7B9E 0020
Max. parameter "Dex": 300B7B9F 0020
Max. parameter "PROTECTION": 300B7BA0 0020
Max. parameter "ORZH": 300B7BA1 0020
Max. experience: 50000302 0000 | 800B7B9C 2020
Equipped ATK: 300B7BA8 00??

12th character slot:
Change picture: 300B7BCC 00??
Max. level and hit points: 300B7BCD 00FF | 800B7BCE01F4
Level change: 800B7BCE ????
Amulet change: 300B7BD0 00??
Hero name change: 300B7BD1 00??
Max. spirit: 800B7BD2 03E7
Max. parameter "OSN": 300B7BD4 0020
Max. parameter "POWER": 300B7BD5 0020
Max. parameter "UMN": 300B7BD6 0020
Max. parameter "Dex": 300B7BD7 0020
Max. parameter "PROTECTION": 300B7BD8 0020
Max. parameter "ORZH": 300B7BD9 0020
Max. experience: 50000302 0000 | 800B7BD4 2020
Equipped ATK: 300B7BE0 00??
_______________________________________________
"??" to Name\Picture.

Game description ✔

Vanguard Bandits is a tactical RPG in a setting that combines mecha with medieval fantasy, also known in the domestic environment under the incorrect nickname “Crusaders.” The player squad controls mechs in the form of huge knightly armor, called ATACs (All Terrain Armored Combatant). The mechs are armed with swords, spears, axes and similar classic weapons corresponding to their size. In addition to regular physical attacks, mechs can use the magic of one of six elements thanks to the power of their food sources - precious stones.

Plot

The central protagonist is a fifteen-year-old boy named Bastion, whose history and important mission you learn about during the game. Bastion lived with his father and friends in a village that one day found itself on the front line of two warring states, which is why they had to leave it. On his journey around the world, Bastion will find new friends and allies, meet his love, and, Maybe, will be able to defeat his sworn enemy.

By your behavior in battles and responses in dialogues, you choose one of two branches of the plot - playing for the Kingdom or for the Empire, with one “good” and “bad” ending for each - as well as a strange third branch, which opens after completing both main ones, in which Bastion decides to take the position of anti-hero. The game is never boring thanks to the presence of humor, colorful characters, a cozy atmosphere and a good ridicule of such cliches fairy games, which is especially abundant in the aforementioned Ruins branch.

Gameplay

Vanguard Bandits features an isometric view, 3D locations, and 2D character sprites. The gameplay is familiar to the genre: story scenes on the game engine are interspersed with protracted TRPG battles.

During battles, first all your units move in turn, then all the enemy units, and so on. Every time an attack is made on the battlefield, the screen goes into a 3D view that shows it off quite nicely. You can disable these animations if you wish. Before each attack, you must calculate your strength, comparing the power and hit rates of different types of attacks with your target. There is no way to save the game during missions, so you often have to take risks and lose. It must be remembered that movement and attacks consume the energy of the furs, which is not replenished as quickly as we would like. When attacked by an enemy, you can choose one of several actions: a retaliatory attack, blocking - guaranteed to receive damage, but in a reduced amount - or trying to dodge - the risk of getting all or nothing. When you don't have the strength or ability to respond in any way, you just silently take damage. All this is true for your opponents, so it makes sense to first use light attacks that take away energy from enemies, and then destroy their immobilized mechs without risk to yourself.

As you gain experience, you develop the characteristics of the mechs and increase your chances of success, although, of course, your opponents also become stronger. Mechs can also be upgraded by purchasing new weapons, accessories and more powerful gems in stores. The mechs themselves cannot be bought or sold: they come (and sometimes leave) only with pilots, although they can be exchanged with each other. There are several unique mechs that only certain heroes can control.

Music

The game's soundtrack is a collection of simple but pleasant 16-bit tunes, complemented by a couple of beautiful songs, one of which can be heard in the opening theme, and the other in the main menu.

Video

Old description

Mechs, evil generals, light and darkness... It would seem that the game is initially replete with mediocrity.
In reality, everything is not like that, and she gained even more spontaneity after the localization of Working Designs..

Attacks

Attacking in Vanguard Bandits is a little different from standard RPGs. There is no basic "attack" that you will use, but rather you select from a list of attacks you have learned (such as Slash, Thrust, Fireball, etc). After selecting the Attack command, you choose from one of these attacks, and the n choose a target.

Things you need to know about learning attacks:

Attacks are learned by having the required stats. For example, to learn Strong Slash (Str Slash), that character will nead at least 8 BAS, 7 POW, and 6 DEX.

Certain attacks can only be done with certain weapon types. For example, people using the Haurol or Amphisia ATAC can"t learn Str. Slash, they learn Str. Thrust.

Certain attacks can only be done with certain stones. For example, you can only learn Fireball with a fire-elemental stone, or Wind Strike with a wind-elemental stone. It pretty much goes without saying that the stone has to be a certain level, too.

Certain attacks can only be performed by certain characters, or certain ATACs, or even both. For example, Altagrave is the only ATAC that can use Blizzard Break, and Reyna is the only one who can use Reyna's Trick. In fact, some attacks cannot be learned at all, and will be used by the computer opponents only. to look at these cpu-exclusive attacks.

Understood? All right then, let"s move on. Below is a table with all kinds of information about attacks; including the attack name, the range, type, AP and FP costs, power, hit %, stone, ATAC and/or character required to use, stats required, and a general rundown for usefulness purposes. Please note that I do not know what all of the different attack types mean, nor do I know how damage or hit rates are calculated (compare the numbers to tell which attacks are powerful and which ones hit often). Also, I have no idea what "Effect" means. If anyone can fill me in on how damage and hit rates are determined, please email me.

About Range:"Range" refers to how many spaces away from your position an attack can reach. A range of 1 means a space up, down, left or right. A range of 2 means 2 spaces up, down, left, or right (as well as 1 space in any diagonal direction). Following this pattern, you should be able to tell what Range 3 and 4 would be.

Finally, one more thing. If you"d like to see some nifty attack pictures, click

Attack Name:	Type:	Range:	AP Cost:	FP Cost:	Power:	Hit%:	Stone:	ATAC, Weapon or Character needed:	BAS:	POW:	DEX:	AGL:	DEF:	WEP:	Description:
Slash	Normal	1	30 AP	5 FP	0.80	+20%	NONE		2	0	0	0	0	0	Your basic attack. A little more accurate than Thrust, but also weaker.
Thrust	Normal	1	30 AP	5 FP	1.00	0	NONE	Ax users cannot learn this attack.	5	0	0	0	0	0	Stronger than Slash, but not by much.
Strike	Normal	1	30 AP	5 FP	1.20	-20%	NONE	Ax users only.	5	0	0	0	0	0	Normally used by bandits, a fairly weak attack.
Tackle	Collision	1	35 AP	5 FP	1.15	-40%	NONE	Sword and Ax users only.	10	10	0	0	0	0	Doesn't hit too often, but hurts when it does.
Long Thrust	Normal	2	35 AP	5 FP	1.00	-20%	NONE	Spear users and some legendary sword users can use this attack.	5	0	0	0	0	0	A weak strike that can hit from a distance.
Strong Slash	Normal	1	50 AP	10 FP	1.25	+10%	NONE	Spear users cannot learn this attack.	8	7	6	0	0	0	Absolutely essential to have; this should be the first attack you learn. Inexpensive and effective.
Strong Thrust	Normal	1	50 AP	10 FP	1.40	0	NONE	Sword and Ax users cannot learn this attack.	8	6	7	0	0	0	Absolutely essential to have; this should be the first attack you learn. Inexpensive and effective
Kick	Normal	1	15 AP	5 FP	0.60	-20%	NONE	Sword and Ax users only.	10	0	7	0	0	0	Not too useful, but fun to watch!
Quicksand	Can"t Move (If it connects, target can"t move for a few turns)	2	40 AP	15 FP	0.30	-30%	Earth 2 (Topaz)	N/A	12	0	7	0	0	0	Very weak hit that can stop the opponent from moving, which is hardly useful at all.
Earthquake		2	45 AP	15 FP	1.20	+20%	Earth 4 (Tiger's Eye)	N/A	15	0	10	0	0	0	Very good FP upping attack, as opponent will block it usually.
Terra Shock		2	55 AP	40 FP	1.75	+40%	Carnelian	Bahamut	22	15	10	10	15	10	VERY powerful attack that"s hard for the enemy to dodge. Very useful.
Ice Shards	Normal	2	30 AP	15 FP	0.85	-10%	Water 1 (Turquoise)	N/A	0	0	8	0	6	0	Somewhat bleh damage with a two space range. Not very useful.
Ice Storm	Avoid Down (if it hits, lowers opponent's evasion)	2	40 AP	10 FP	0.50	+10%	Water 2 (Aquamarine)	N/A	0	0	10	0	8	0	A little more damage, but still rather meh.
Mirage Mist		2	40 AP	10 FP	0.50	0	Water 4 (Lapis Lazuli)	N/A	0	0	12	0	10	0	Very good attack distance; good for lowering Accuracy of Sharkings.
Reyna's Trick	Collision (if hit with it, opponent can"t attack back)	1	70 AP	20 FP	1.92	+40%	Water 4 (Lapis Lazuli)	Reyna	16	7	20	7	7	7
Blizzard Break	Collision (if hit with it, opponent can"t attack back)	1	80 AP	10 FP	2.05	+25%	Hawk's Eye	Altagrave	12	10	20	10	12	10	Fairly powerful move with a low FP cost.
Tidal Wave	Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually)	2	30 AP	30 FP	2.66	+30%	Ocean Mist	TIC-TAC	18	18	20	18	18	18	Perhaps the greatest *attainable* move in the game. Low FP and AP cost, powerful, accurate, and a fairly good range. Get ASAP.
Fireball	Normal	1	25 AP	24 FP	1.35	+15%	Fire 1 (Opal)	N/A	0	10	0	0	0	0	Powerful, very effective attack that"s quite easy to learn. Watch your FP though!
Melting Flare	Defend Down (if it hits, lowers opponent's defense)	2	40 AP	15 FP	0.30	-20%	Fire 2 (Jasper)	N/A	0	12	0	0	0	8	Okay for intimidating ATACs, but it doesn't hit very often or very effectively.
Flare Bomb	Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually)	2	50 AP	25 FP	1.55	0	Fire 3 (Ruby)	N/A	10	20	0	0	0	15	Incredible damage, when it hits.
Burning Soul	Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually)	1	30 AP	50 FP	2.14	-10%	Fire 4 (Kunzite)	Devlin	16	20	7	7	7	7	Very useful move that does quite a lot of damage and seems to hit more than it should.
Bursting Fire	Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually)	2	10 AP	80 FP	3.15! No kidding!	0	Sunstone	Roaring Lion	15	25	5	5	12	20	INCREDIBLE damage when not blocked (which it often is). Very high FP cost.
Tornado	Attack Down (if it hits, lowers opponent's attack)	2	40 AP	15 FP	0.50	+10%	Wind 1 (Beryl)	N/A	0	0	10	8	0	0	Okay for intimidating ATACs, but not too useful.
Turbulence	Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually)	4	10 AP	30 FP	0.75	+20%	Wind 2 (Emerald)	N/A	0	0	12	10	0	0	Great FP booster from a distance, but it also does fairly good damage. This attack is absolutely second-to-none; make it a point to teach it to at least one person on your team.
Wind Strike	Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually)	1	56 AP	28 FP	1.56	+10%	Wind 3 (Olivine)	N/A	0	0	18	12	0	0	Fairly powerful attack that hits quite often.
Somersault	Collision (if hit with it, opponent can"t attack back)	1	56 AP	28 FP	1.75	+50%!!	Wind 4 (Jade)	Andrew or Cecillia (must be in Vedocorban)	7	7	20	15	7	7	Very useful attack, and the most accurate in the game!
Spiral Dive	Collision (if hit with it, opponent can"t attack back)	3	35 AP	55 FP	2.12	+33%	Star Diamond	Sylpheed	7	7	20	15	7	7	Quite powerful and quite accurate, but high in FP cost, so be careful!
Sonic Blade	Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually)	3	40 AP	33 FP	1.80	+20%	Royal Jade	Toreadore	7	7	20	15	7	7	Excellent Turbulence-like attack. Does quite a bit more damage though.
Flashing Fang	Collision (if hit with it, opponent can"t attack back)	1	44 AP	12 FP	1.25	-20%	Gratia	Ultragunner	7	7	7	7	7	7	Somewhat good damage, but a low hit rate.
Blinding Light	Hit % Down (if it hits, lowers opponent's accuracy)	2	40 AP	25 FP	0.10	+10%	Gratia	Ultragunner	9	9	9	9	9	9	Very weak in power, but useful for blinding enemy ATACs.
Lightning Strike	Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually)	2	50 AP	15 FP	1.60	+10%	Gratia	Ultragunner	11	11	11	11	11	11	Very good FP upper and respectable damage too!
Splitting Smash	Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually)	2	80 AP	15 FP	2.16	0	Gratia	Ultragunner	17	17	17	17	17	17	Another very good FP upper, but it can only be used once per turn.
Soaring Dance	Collision (if hit with it, opponent can"t attack back)	2	5 AP	90 FP	2.56	-10%	Gratia	Ultragunner	20	20	20	20	20	20	Does INCREDIBLE damage, but be very careful of its FP cost.

Knockout Collision (if hit with it, opponent can"t attack back) 4 45 AP 0 FP 1.40 +40% Evil Eye No. 69 Very accurate and very deadly. Thankfully, only used in one mission. Block it. Slash (Sharking) Normal 1 30 AP 5 FP 1.20 +35% Dark Eye Sharking Much more powerful than your Slash, so be wary. Strong Slash (Sharking) Knockdown (if you are hit by it, you cannot attack back) 1 50 AP 10 FP 1.60 +20% Dark Eye Sharking Do not attempt to counterattack, as this will hit you and knock you down, canceling your attack. Cutting Wheel Collision (if hit with it, opponent can"t attack back) 4 45 AP 0 FP 1.50 +25% Dark Eye Sharking VERY deadly attack. Try your best to dodge. Raging Heat Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually) 2 40 AP 5 FP 2.50 +20% Bloodstone Crimson Incredibly powerful, low cost attack. Might be best to block. Gaia Blade Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually) 1 60 AP 25 FP 1.98 -10% Sardonis Sarbelas Very powerful attack. You should be able to Avoid it. Shadow Binding Effect (???) 2 5 AP 0 FP Emotion X (???) +0% Black Diamond Zulwarn Unused attack by Faulkner. Dark Thunder Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually) 1 10 AP 0 FP 1.70 +20% Black Diamond Zulwarn Much like Lightning Strike, only eviler. Shadow Blade Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually) 4 20 AP 0 FP 2.24 +40% Black Diamond Zulwarn Powerful stuff, but not used very often. Block it! Heaven's Gate Knockdown (cpu will try and block it, usually) 2 30 AP 0 FP 2.88 +33% Black Diamond Zulwarn Ridiculously high damage for 0 FP. Very high hit rate means it is nearly impossible to dodge. Block it!

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Vanguard Bandits("Bandits in the Vanguard", also known as " Crusaders") is a tactical role-playing video game developed by Human Entertainment for the PlayStation platform. Released in Japan as エピカ・ステラ, it was localized in the United States in 2000 by Working Designs. The original American name was Detonator Gauntlet(“Detonator Gauntlet”), but due to the similarity with an existing one Gauntlet the name had to be changed to Vanguard Bandits. As a bonus, the game included a disc with a demo version of the game. Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete. The video game is made in a medieval setting, but the battles are fought on huge robots - "ATACKS"(ATAC).

Action Vanguard Bandits takes place on the continent of Eptina, where wars are constantly waged between various kingdoms. Main character game - a young man named Bastion (in the original - Randy, ランディ), who was raised by a strict and domineering soldier named Kamorge, a former bodyguard of the king. Bastion learned to control ATAK from childhood. He himself dreams of becoming a warrior and fighting against the Yunaris Empire. The Imperials have been pursuing him and his father since Bastion can remember.

Walkthrough with comments of the game Vanguard Bandits (Epica Stella) on Sony Playstation. We go through all the branches! The continent is mired in war. The Yunaris Empire plunders and...

Game process

Vanguard Bandits- tactical role-playing game, the action of which takes place on an isometric map divided into equal squares. The player controls a squad of several people, fighting against a group of enemy ATTACKS - a similar system resembles Final Fantasy Tactics and games of the series Front Mission. The battle takes place turn-based; Each character can move, attack an enemy, or use support abilities during their turn. Any action costs a certain amount of action points (AP, Action Points), in addition, the use of attacks increases the number of fatigue points (FP, Faint Points). If the FP value reaches 100, then the character is temporarily unable to perform any actions and receives more damage from opponents. When a hero attacks or defends, he and his opponent are transported to a separate three-dimensional “battlefield”, where each performs a chosen action. However, the battle animation can be turned off - in this case, the player will only see the result of the battle (the number of health points lost). After completing the battle, which is called a mission, there is usually a dialogue between the characters and further development storyline. Before starting the next mission, the player can check the status of his squad, talk with several characters, change ATTACK equipment, or visit the store (during certain periods of the game).

The game consists of 56 missions and has five different storylines.

Vanguard Bandits

Plot:	7
Graphic arts:	7
Gameplay:	7
Sound:	6
Originality:	8
Grand total:	35
Complexity:	Low
Main perspective:	Isometric
Fight Perspective:	3D
Fight type:	Step by step
World:	Weakly expressed science fiction and fantasy
Genre:	Tactical RPG

Blame the first PS for its lack tactical RPG it would be extremely unfair, but, as often happens, only a few of them reached Western audiences (although, it is worth noting, a few are far from the worst). And it seems all the more surprising that the famous translation group Working Designs drew attention to a rather ordinary tactic at first glance Epica Stella, which did not gain much popularity in its homeland. Be that as it may, WD still published the game in America, where it received the name Vanguard Bandits(in my opinion, more suitable for her than the original one) and found success, albeit not wild, but still success. Of course, some comrades attribute this precisely to the aforementioned lack of tactics on PS1, but is everything so simple? In any case, VB, which seems so hackneyed and unoriginal, actually has in its storeroom a whole arsenal of discreet, but no less interesting finds, which we will talk about in the following article.

The plot of VB is like a two-faced Janus: on the one hand, its plot is banal to the point of gnashing teeth and openly pathetic, on the other hand, it is full of humor and mockery of cliches. Yes, yes, you heard right, the creators of the game quite aptly make fun of gaming stereotypes, and, most importantly, they are able to laugh at themselves, which is especially noticeable in one of the scenarios... but first things first. So, as a premise, we have the good kingdom of Farastia and the bad empire of Junaris (yes, as you can see, the clichés begin with this). A young, proud and brave young man, Bastion, lives in Farastia with his father, the girl Milia and the mechanic boy Puke, eager to fight the empire. Such an opportunity arises when a village is attacked by a detachment of soldiers. The girls Reina and Ione, subordinates of a certain Galvas, who owes something to Bastion’s father, come to the aid of Bastion, respectively, to rescue him from imperial captivity and our newly-minted party sets off. I’ll say right away: in this game there are three very different scenarios (or branches), so I’ll talk about each one separately. The main one can be considered the so-called “royal branch”, in which Bastion learns about his true origin (did you really think he was a simple country guy?), leads Farastia, and, having secured the support of several duchies, begins a holy war against the empire and General Faulkner in particular. A word should also be said about Faulkner himself: for a game of this level, he is a surprisingly logical and well-developed villain, with motives that are quite understandable to the player. Without a doubt, this script can be called the most cliched and boring of all, but it is saved by a large amount of humor, as well as bright, memorable characters: the lively optimist Reina, the fat man with a sweet tooth Barlow, the girl Nana in love with Bastion, the hot-tempered handsome Devlin, the charming womanizer Andrew , incredibly correct, and this makes Galvas so comical. Throughout the game they will interact with each other, creating a field for many jokes, and even such serious characters as the Dukes of Zeira and Alden have to periodically try on comic roles. There are two endings for this scenario: bad and good, which will depend on how often the characters died on the battlefield, and how often you talk to them between fights. Branch of the Empire is a look at the same story from a different perspective, where you will have to fight against those who might otherwise be your allies. Here Bastion joins the princess of the empire, Sadira, who suspects something is wrong with Faulkner, and here one can observe the dualism of the game: the empire here is not at all an absolute evil, and Farastia also has something to be ashamed of. By the way, there are also two endings here, which depend on which of the girls you gave more preference throughout the game: Sadira or the cute mechanic (although she is not at all so simple) Cecilia. And finally, the so-called ruins branch, which can only be opened if you have completed the royal scenario with a good ending, and this is not surprising, because this is essentially open banter over it, the essence of which is difficult to retell to a person who has not played. I'll just say that it's really funny, believe me.

As for the combat system, it is as simple and straightforward as a potato. Here we have turn-based battles and giant robots (somewhat strange looking in a medieval setting), which are available in ATAS. Actually, each ATAS has its own characteristics, so if some specialize in brute force, then others are more dexterous, and so on. In addition, ATAS are divided into those that can be changed between characters (and upgrade their equipment), and those that belong to a specific hero. By the way, upon reaching a new level, you are given three points to increase your characteristics, and this is done manually, which personally made me very happy. The attacks themselves come in different types: strong, but not accurate, and vice versa (although some still combine these qualities), as well as long-range ones. Unlike many other tactics, in VB there is no blunt counterattack; here you (and your opponent) can choose how to behave when attacked: actually counterattack, defend, or try to dodge (risky, but in some cases worth it). It is also very important here from which side the attack occurs - the most successful option is, of course, from behind: you cannot defend against it or counterattack. Another interesting feature is the fp parameter, which is unusual for other RPGs, which means the level of panic during an attack. Actually, it is spent on all your actions, be it during your or an enemy attack, and if fp reaches 100, you will no longer be able to defend or dodge, and you can only hope for luck. All together, this still forces you to think through tactics, but still the game remains extremely simple and quick to complete. As for activities outside of battles, it boils down to occasional shopping in stores and interviews with characters.

Graphically, the game is so-so: the main perspective does not look very good, it is typical for games of this genre and does not represent anything interesting. The one-on-one combat in 3D looks much better, and while I can't say anything about the mech design, it looks pretty decent. Scenes outside of battles are also uninteresting, and can only please a really large number of portraits of the brother. Separately, I would like to note a very decent anime video at the very beginning.
There is not much music, and its quality leaves much to be desired. Although it is difficult to find fault with the melodies themselves, they do not irritate the ear, but still can quickly become boring, which, however, cannot be considered a negative for the composer. Oh, and don't forget about the amazing female vocal track that plays on the title screen.

Conclusion? In fact, it’s difficult for me to say something specific, it’s not a must have or anything like that, but if you are attracted by everything that is written above, then it’s definitely worth a try. And in any case: even those who are not into the game itself can simply play a short and simple tactics game, and it is quite possible that they will enjoy it.

Written By : Tais