Vanguard Bandits, known in Japan as Epica Stella is a tactical role-playing game(RPG) for the PlayStation. The game was developed by Human Entertainment and originally released in Japan on July 30, 1998. It was published in North America by Working Designs.
Vanguard Bandits is an episodic fantasy game of tactics and strategy featuring nearly 60 missions and five unique endings. Players assume the role of Bastion, son of the hunted Kamorge, in a quest to win a holy war against the Imperial Army of the Junaris Empire led by the tyrant General Faulkner. Strategically arranged units battle on simulated 3D landscapes, with the camera switching to a true 3D rendition of mech-warriors in hand-to-hand combat.
Plot elements are advanced via anime-style cut scenes and the results of combat play out in 3D sequences. The world of Eptina, where mighty All-Terrain Armored Combatants (ATAC) wreak havoc, includes the Pharastia Kingdom (anti-Empire), the Junaris Empire, the Avalon Principality (nomadic state), the Nordilain Forest (pro-Empire), the Muspel Nations (neutral), the Duchy of Hibernia (nation-state), the Dionne-Lehve (mercenary forces), and the Southern Alliance (autonomic).
Vanguard Bandits is a support-centric strategy RPG featuring tactical combat in a medieval fantasy world in which knights and soldiers pilot mecha. This game takes place on the Continent of Eptina where numerous battles have taken place over territory, goods, and beliefs. In the midst of the conflict archaeologists in the Pharastia Kingdom discovered giant armored mecha that they called ATACs, or All Terrain Armored Combatants, that could be controlled by the thoughts of the pilot seated inside the unit's head. The Kingdom used the power of these ATACs to assume control of the entire continent, and then decided to use them to keep the peace in their new territories. Pharastia soon began to lose control as Coup d'etats and civil wars erupted which left it in a defeated state, with only their standing army remaining.
The North American release included a bonus demo disc of Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete for PlayStation.
GAMEPLAY:
Vanguard Bandits is an RPG strategy game played on an isometric grid of squares with representations of all the player and computer controlled ATACs, similar to Final Fantasy Tactics and the Front Mission series by Square. Each character can move around on the grid, attack, and perform support abilities. All actions during that ATACs turn takes up AP (Actions Points), and attacks produce FP (Faint Points). If the Faint Points reach maximum, the pilot is knocked out and cannot perform any actions until he/she awakens, leaving him/her open to attack.
When an ATAC unit attacks or defends from an attack, a detailed three-dimensional battle animation with music is shown over the normal grid. Between each battle is a story cutscene where the characters within the ATACs are represented on a similar grid and can interact and further the story line.
NATIONS:
Vanguard Bandits focuses on the interactions between the nations and individuals on the Continent of Eptina. There are seven different nations that are allied or in conflict:
The Pharastia Kingdom: Commonly referred to as The Kingdom, this is the remains of the Kingdom Army who are working to restore Pharastia to its former glory. The Kingdom is portrayed as the good side of the story, at least nominally. They are allied with the Avalon Principality.
The Kingdom is involved in a long-standing war with the Empire, which has conquered parts of the Pharastian Kingdom, including its capital. The Empire supposedly started the war in order to seize Prince Bastion, the only person who can unlock Ultragunner.
The Junaris Empire: The Empire was formed by a citizen named Degalle who spoke out against the fighting taking place. However, Degalle became corrupt with his newly acquired power. Its army is led by the calculating General Faulkner, and the Empire is laid out as the evil, antagonistic element in the game. Its army in particular is often associated with pillaging and looting innocent towns, even their own (although the Kingdom is also said to commit similar atrocities).
The Avalon Principality: This small nation was formed by Duke Zeira and has a principle of hard work. Avalon supports the Kingdom but is engaged in its own conflict with the Muspel Nation to the south.
Nordilian Forest: This large country is filled with vast forests and is ruled by a fierce warrior named Duke Logan. It is allied with the Empire, although it is assumed that Nordilain is being taken advantage of and used for the Empire's own purposes. Often in conflict with the Duchy of Hibernia.
Muspel Nation: A desert country that became rich by using its resources and raw materials. Although it claims to be neutral, it constantly attacks the Avalon Principality and may secretly be allied with the Junaris Empire. The majority of the nation is considered poor, while its oppressive, scheming leader Duke Radcot lives in his own palace with his army, setting the stage for a revolt within the country.
Duchy of Hibernia: This is a snow-covered nation in the north, ruled by the man known as Lord Alden the Ice Wolf. Originally, Hibernia was created by a Pharastian king who partitioned off some of its territory and gave it to one of his brothers. Hibernia's purpose is to watch over events in the Kingdom, and to step in to intervene in times or crisis. At the start of the game, Hibernia has taken no action in the conflict, although it does go to war with the Empire eventually.
Dionne-Lehve: This country is ruled by warrior mercenaries who lend their services to any group. While they have no formal alliances at the outset of the game, they are at war with the Empire. Their leader, Marquis Dionne, is one of the most powerful warriors on the continent.
Southern Alliance: A country on a peninsula to the far south. Interestingly, the player never travels there and it is mentioned by name only once in the entire game.
MAIN CHARACTERS:
Bastion:
Long lost prince of the Pharastia Kingdom, protagonist of the game. When the Empire seized the Kingdom capital, Alugard spirited Bastion (then still a baby) and raised him, teaching him how to fight. He eventually returns to become the leader of the Kingdom against the Empire (but not in the Empire branch) at the age of sixteen. He pilots the Alba ATAC which he inherited from Alugard but later gains the legendary Ultragunner or the TIC-TAC, depending on which storyline he is in.
Sadira:
The beautiful princess of the Empire and Duyere's sister, one of the possible romantic interests for Bastion (particularly in the Empire branch). She has a temper as fiery as her red hair, and follows a "shoot first, ask questions later" approach to thwarting hostility and injustice. Often in conflict with General Faulkner. She pilots the Sylpheed, a blue-excavated ATAC with large wings.
General Faulkner:
General of the Junaris Empire, antagonist of the game. Faulkner is an evil, scheming man who will do anything to achieve his goals. He is out for revenge against the entire world for the death of his father, as well as other atrocities committed by the combatants in the war. Outwardly, he shows respect for the members of the Imperial family, but only so he can exploit them for his own nefarious purposes. He first pilots the Solarus which he gained from his father but later discovers the legendary and polar opposite of the Ultragunner, the Zulwarn.
Features:
Nearly 60 missions and five distinct possible endings
All Terrain Armored Combatants (mech-style warriors) battle in eight lands
Strategy guide included with comprehensive manual
Manufacturer's description:
In a world where mythology and technology are one, a young rebel and his ragtag crew of friends are unwittingly drawn into a holy war being waged by the bloodthirsty General Faulkner and his mercenary forces. Guide the charismatic Bastion as he realizes his destiny to lead the rebellion against the Junaris Kingdom, and to save the people of his world from an eternity of oppression. Lead powerful squadrons of robotic warriors into battle and take complete command of their actions. Smite your foes with cleaving swords, piercing spears, and sizzling magical spells. Use the terrain to your advantage and maneuver your forces into superior combat positions. Witness the results of your tactical decisions in glorious 3D combat sequences. With almost 60 missions and five unique endings, your social life will disappear without a trace, and the best part is... you won't care! To battle, then!
Features:
- Third person perspective.
- 2D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- Medieval Fantasy theme.
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