Valiant Hearts: Coming Home is a puzzle-based side-scrolling adventure game set during the final years of World War I. Players follow the interconnected stories of several characters caught in the conflict, moving through hand-drawn environments that shift from underwater wrecks to aerial dogfights and muddy trenches.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on guiding one character at a time through short, linear scenes. Movement is primarily left to right, with occasional vertical elements when climbing or exploring small areas. Puzzles involve locating and using single items in sequence, pushing crates, or interacting with the environment in straightforward ways. Action sequences require timing dodges against falling bombs or enemy fire, while other moments focus on precise inputs such as patching wounds in a field hospital or performing quick rhythm-based actions when playing music.
Each character brings a distinct set of tasks. James navigates trenches and supply runs alongside his unit. George pilots a biplane through skies filled with obstacles. Ernst operates in submerged locations, and Anna tends to the injured under time pressure. A loyal dog companion assists in several exploration segments by fetching items or revealing paths. Collectible historical facts and authentic photographs appear throughout, unlocked by progressing or finding hidden objects, adding context to real events like the Harlem Hellfighters' service and the Meuse-Argonne offensive.
Game Modes
The game offers only a single-player campaign structured across three chapters and nineteen individual scenes. Progress follows the story in order, with no branching paths or alternate routes. Scenes alternate between the four main playable characters, allowing players to experience the war from Allied infantry, aviation, naval, and medical perspectives. There are no separate difficulty settings, multiplayer options, or additional modes beyond the main narrative sequence.
Story and Setting
The narrative picks up after the events of the first game and centers on James, brother of the returning soldier Freddie, as he joins the 369th Infantry Regiment. His path crosses with pilot George, German diver Ernst, and nurse Anna. Their individual struggles intersect amid key historical moments, including the Battle of Jutland at sea and the push toward the Armistice. The story explores themes of brotherhood, sacrifice, and resilience without glorifying combat, using the graphic-novel art style to present both the scale of the war and its personal toll.
Is It Worth Playing?
Valiant Hearts: Coming Home suits players who prioritize emotional storytelling and historical atmosphere over complex mechanics or long play sessions. The campaign lasts roughly two to three hours, delivering a focused experience that emphasizes character moments and period details. Those seeking varied puzzle and action sequences within a compact package will find the character switches refreshing, though the simplified controls and brief scenes may feel light for anyone expecting deeper challenge. On PS4 it provides the same complete single-player adventure available across other platforms, making it a solid choice for fans of narrative-driven adventures set in World War I.