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Vanguard: Saga of Heroes

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7.0 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 32 critic reviews
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Based on 115 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Microsoft

Developer: Sigil Games

Genre(s): Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game

Players: Thousands

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: January 29, 2007

Summary

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes will be the premier third generation massively multiplayer RPG. A vast, seamless, immersive virtual world filled with elements of familiar High Fantasy, including traditional themes and more, all depicted using cutting-edge graphics technology. Sigil's expertise and experience in the field will bring groundbreaking static and dynamic content to the genre. Vanguard will build upon the successes and strengths of earlier MMOGs to improve popular game mechanics and features, but also address these pioneering games' mistakes and deficiencies. Vanguard will focus heavily on interdependence, challenge, and reward, while simultaneously addressing tedious and annoying issues, including camping, excessive downtime and more. [Sigil Games]

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What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Play.tm

Even thought the game has its annoyances (like the steep death penalty you have to endure) it's a very accomplished title with a lot of rewards for a dedicated player.

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Games Radar (in-house)

The world that it all takes place in is amazing on terms of size and beauty. However, this is a hardcore MMO designed first and foremost for devoted players with lots of time to invest - just to get to level 10 will take you a few days, whereas you can hit that level in "WoW" in a long afternoon.

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Gamer's Hell

It has certainly impressed me in many ways: Beautiful design, convincing environments, and depth of play.

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GameZone

This game will be worth revisiting in a year to see what progress has been made and how it has evolved.

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Game Chronicles

Your everyday MMORPG with its own unique world and atmosphere. It only has one neat and unique feature called Diplomacy and what it lacks in terms of sound effects, it makes up for in quality writing.

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IGN

The slower progression, group focus and huge world all set the game apart from the current MMO behemoth, World of Warcraft. Whether those differences are positive or negative is largely a matter of taste.

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GamerNode

A game with a lot of potential, but isn't quite where it can be. With a team constantly working on improving the experience, though, things look bright for its future.

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Game Informer

If a slower-paced, more complex title in the vein of EverQuest is what you’re looking for, Vanguard will serve you well. A lack of polish in several areas and strong competition keep this game from being particularly special, though.

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GameSpot

Experienced role players will enjoy the engaging combat and fascinating diplomatic gameplay, in spite of Vanguard's litany of bugs and singular focus on group adventuring.

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Gamers Europe

Naturally, nothing can currently compete with the current industry leaders, but with a little time and a lot of bug spray, Vanguard will surely rise far enough through the ranks to challenge the titans for their crowns.

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Worth Playing

Vanguard is flawed but has exceptional potential to offer a satisfying long-term experience.

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Cheat Code Central

With its faults, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes should be passed by on the shelf without even a second glance. With the immersive multiplayer gaming experience and its in-depth complexity, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes offers a challenge that any old-school player, or a newcomer to the genre, can't pass up.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

While we can’t look into the future to predict how Vanguard will turn out over the coming months, the early signs are promising that this could be more than just the real next generation of "Everquest."

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AtomicGamer

Class balance is currently way off but is slowly being put back in line - this is mostly evident on the game's two Player vs. Player servers (one of them is a race-based team server, while the other is a free-for-all between any players).

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AceGamez

Despite some bugs, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes still remains instantly accessible for those with some patience, and you will need a great deal of patience, because although WoW showed everyone how fun MMORPGs can be once you design them to be accessible to all, Vanguard is a game geared towards the hardcore players who crave more of a challenge.

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games(TM)

Though Vanguard is a solid enough title, it’s up to Sony’s marketing department to pull in subscribers and strike the right balance. [Apr 2007, p.122]

PC Format

Sigil says "The only limits are your own." I'd suggest that most players will reach the outer limits of their patience very quickly. [Apr 2007, p.68]

Yahoo! Games

While free of crash bugs, problems in interface, gameplay, and content abound. But if you're an old-school player, or a WoW player who's ready to delve deeper into a more complex MMORPG, then Vanguard was made for you.

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GameDaily

People willing to put in the effort will certainly be rewarded, since each level in every mode feels like a major accomplishment. Vanguard, with vast opportunities and size, requires time to grow on players. Patient gamers who enjoy tons of options will find many riches and glory here.

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PC Gamer

Sadly, I can't score the game based on what it might become. Right now, Vanguard requires that you turn a blind eye to too many nagging issues to fully enjoy it. [May 2007, p.68]

PC Gamer UK

Ambitious, but too flaky and cold. [Apr 2007, p.70]

GameShark

There is clearly an audience for this sort game, and the base design certainly has its share of interesting (and fun) concepts, but it was clearly not ready for public consumption.

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Gaming Age

It’s a nice alternative to a play style that some feel is getting a bit stale already, and if you were a fan of the old school, it’s worth checking out for the free month at least.

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PALGN

Overall, Vanguard is promising. With some tweaking over its lifespan, it may be able to provide some fresh MMORPG action, with some elements new to the genre. However, currently many issues hold it back from being great.

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Strategy Informer

Overall Vanguard isn't a bad game, but it doesn't really bring anything new to the table of the MMO industry.

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Eurogamer

For now, Vanguard is a game which has plenty to offer a brave adventurer with a stunning PC. Aside from any design or content problems we've identified with the game, potential buyers need to be aware that they're entering a world which, as a prominent WOW character would have it, is not prepared.

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GameSpy

There's potential for a very good game here, and we've had our share of both highs and lows with the gameplay, but the sheer number of gameplay bugs, graphical issues, and poor technical performance make it difficult to recommend in its current state.

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G4 TV

The run-of-the-mill level grinding in Vanguard is no better or worse than any other MMO. It’s a little disappointing that we still have to deal with crap like this. But there are some neat ideas in Vanguard.

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Game Almighty

There is no reason to buy this game for at least 6 months, unless you are a glutton for punishment. Hopefully by six months the majority of the bugs will be taken care of and Vanguard will resemble a game instead of a proof-of-concept.

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Game Revolution

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes might be a far better game in a few months time, but coming from the company that questionably destroyed one of its most popular MMOs ("Star Wars Galaxies"), nothing is guaranteed.

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PC Zone UK

A hollow, mind-numbingly dull MMORPG grind that stretches the boundaries of good taste and sensible design decisions.

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1UP

A game that desperately needed another six months of beta-testing.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.0 (out of 10) based on 115 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

N B gave it a9:
Vanguard is vastly improved and the population is steadily increasing (although I wish it would increase faster). It's stable and runs very well now, and it holds more content than most mmos, even without an expansion and after all this time. Very deep, three spheres of gameplay (deep, involved, and complex crafting, diplomacy, and of course adventuring), massive and seamless world with three landmasses, player-owned ships and fully-controllable flying mounts, lots of dungeons and exploring, beautiful vistas, quests galore, mentoring...this game is still one of the definitive PvE mmo experiences to this day. If your only reason for not playing the game is population concerns, note that there is still an active community. Population is increasing, and it is possible to have a social experience in the game. That said, population will never quickly improve if people, who otherwise love the game but are concerned with population, don't stick with it. Be a part of the solution, not the problem. Game's free to try now; you can dl the 2-week trial (which introduces players to the Isle of Dawn) and see if you might like it. The area's only 1 chunk in size, but it gives a pretty good taste of what to expect on the mainlands. If you decide you like it, you just pay the subscription cost ($15); don't have to buy the game. I've been having a blast with it; I wish this game would get more coverage, though. It's a very unique game, even today.

Big T. gave it a10:
I've played and Beta tested a lot of games over the past 13 years starting with the graphical MUDs up through Ultima Online and beyond. No other game has captivated my interest like Vanguard Saga of Heros. It's been over two years of game play in Vanguard and I've yet to see and do everything the game has to offer. Most of the major bugs, glitches, etc are gone. Majority of lag issues can be solved by user side adjustments to game settings, in game weather settings, far plane clipping, etc. If you are looking for a game that can still captivate you after 2 years of playing, Vanguard is the game you want to play.

Jens S gave it a9:
I have started playing a month ago and having a blast. I am gaming since EQ and played most of the great titles since then. Few have had me as enthralled as Vanguard. 1) Lots of Race / Class Combinations 2) Low level crafted / looted items already look gorgeous 3) Diplomacy is a cool new Concept 4) Crafting actually takes some thought, looks and bonus on items vary depending on which continent you got the recipe. 5) A lot of both solo and grou content 6) Awesome Community All in all, if you are looking for a PVE game that leaves the "take you by the hand" path and enjoy discovering vast continents, this is your game.

Matthew H gave it a9:
For those that are looking for a more story based MMO, Vanguard may be the perfect game for you. The amount of detail Sigil put in battles and Crafting is immense. They have also given players a third way to interact with the world called diplomacy, which allows players to learn the history and lore of the world.

Private H gave it a5:
This game is garbage even in 2009. Population is so bad they have added RMT so you can buy your account in game through Sony. Still buggy, still boring, still not many playing and with HORRIBLE character animations and unbalanced classes. For elitist MMO snobs only.

Jeff gave it a9:
Most people who don't like this game haven't given it a good chance. It is highly immersive, spectacular graphics, and the majority of the bugs I've seen disappear in the last few months. The player base is extremely helpful to get you through the learning curve. Yes, you need some descent hardware to fully enjoy this game but once you're hooked you won't regret it.

Tim R gave it a4:
This game is severely lacking on several levels. The decisions Sony has made since taking the game over have not all been good ones. Take for example, the changes a while back to rangers. Sony decided it would be cute to make it so that rangers use the Vanguard equivalent of mana whenever they shoot their bow, but tried to excuse it by saying that they upped the ranger dps. What did this achieve? Lower overall dps because the ranger has to constantly eat now to regain energy and power. This game is ludicrous and an exercise in futility. Pass on this one, the only saving grace about it are the graphics, which are on-par with current games. Other than that, the random lag spikes people have mentioned are actually the game freezing to load up a new region that you enter. That's right, the coding is so bad that when you go to a new section of the map, the game freezes for 1-10 seconds.

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Vanguard: Saga of Heroes

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