Vantage Master - A Lost Gem

[felicity]

It's totally free, small and easy to run, and it's very fun. http://www.falcom.co.jp/vantage/index_e.html

It looks like a MMO but it's really not. It's a tactical strategy game on a hexagon map like Fantasy General. You choose a 'Master' and summon 'Natials' to fight for you. Summoning them costs MP, and they consume MP every round in action. There are magic stones around the map that you can take, they increase MP income to the side who owns them. You win when you defeat your opponent's Master. The interface and control are simple and intuitive enough that despite crappy translation (Bard->Bird, serious), the basics can be learned in 10 mins. The biggest charm of this game, besides its simplicity, is the relatively strong AI. The computer has no real advantage over you (two sides both started with the Master alone), and the damage done in an attacked can be 100% predicted. You can see how much damage you'll do to a particular enemy in a window. At later stages, or in expert mode, computer gains some terrain advantage but that's it. It somewhat feels like chess.

There is a netplay feature (1vs1) you can play against human when you're bored of AI. The sequel is Vantage Master Japan, which is better balanced and the AI is fucking ruthless. Unfortunately there no translation and it's rare, good luck finding a torrent. Got my copy years ago when it first released.

Gameplay video on Youtube

Here is a review from Hardcore Gaming 101

 

[felicity]

Google for vantage master japan it turns out that there is a d/l link on some hentai forums, the upload date is fairly new. Help yourself if you are interested.

 

[Mantiis]

I'm confused - it looks like a plant but its post count is 143...

 

[felicity]

It is a complete stand-alone game, no ads nor anything fishy. If you're worried, consider this: it was released by Falcom, a reputable game company in Japan, not some random indie developer on internet. The game originally was on the market in 1998. Falcom released to the public for free when it got phased out by its sequel in 2002. Something western publishers should learn.

A quote from Hardcore gaming 101:
"Falcom translated the game for English speaking audiences and released it on the Internet for free in 2002 under the name Vantage Master Online, which was definitely a kind gesture on their part. Obviously the translation is pretty Engrishy, but when it's free, can you really complain? The original game was sold on CD, so it had redbook audio tracks - naturally, if you downloaded it online, you'll have to live with MIDI music."

 

[aleph]

I'm confused - it looks like a plant but its post count is 143...

a genuine mystery

 

[felicity]

Superstitious.

 

[Panthera]

A plant... for a free game... with no advertising on the webpage? You guys are too paranoid.

 

[CrimsonAngel]

A plant... for a free game... with no advertising on the webpage? You guys are too paranoid.

Your not paranoid enough!!

 

[rpgcodexusername]

I played it back in 2002 its a decent strategy game (like Final Fantasy Tactics?)
With the usual fire,earth,water,air schtick and it is a little like chaos where you have a wizard that summons creatures.

 

[Kum Kum Supreme Imperator]

YOU NOT UNDERSTAND PARANOID BOT KUM KUM SHITTY GAME! BUT DORAEMOON ok!

 

[Lord Rocket]

I like where this thread is going.

 

[felicity]

It's a pity that Vantage Master doesn't get the recognition it deserves. This is a real underdog. The gameplay is really tactical - one wrong move and you lose the game. Easy to learn, hard to master. I wish there are more games like this.