After helping the Black soldier out, you learn through conversation that he's from the United States and has joined the Allied forces.
The train station scene had a very cheerful tone.
Especially when the soldiers started dancing along with the band—it had Luke chuckling nonstop.
But the fun and jokes didn't last long, because the game was set during World War I.
As the narrator explained, Emile's unit was sent to face off against the German 71st Division, led by Baron Von Dorf.
Whatever excitement people had was quickly crushed by the fear of going into battle for the first time.
On the battlefield, Emil served as the flag bearer. Once the commander gave the order, the soldiers charged forward.
This gameplay section felt a bit like the bullet-dodging mechanics in Undertale.
The whole game used a 2D sidescrolling format. Players had to move back and forth to dodge the falling shells from above.
The shells came raining down like dumplings, falling toward Emile and the others. But they had no choice but to keep charging.
The commander at the front was killed instantly by an explosion, and Emile took his place as the flag bearer.
But with German machine guns and artillery firing at them, it was a charge with no hope—brutal and bloody.
Before the charge, the sky had been clear and sunny.
Now, it was dark and overcast, and the ground was covered with the bodies of fallen French soldiers.
The sounds of gunfire, the background music turning from majestic to mournful—even though it was just a cartoon-style 2D game, Luke still felt the horror and tragedy of war.
In the game, just as Emile charged forward, a bullet struck him down without mercy.
With the heavy rain and somber background music playing, the scene suddenly shifted to the German side.
Among the soldiers, one blond man stood out—it was Karl.
"So Emile was drafted by France, and after being deported, Karl was drafted by Germany too? This family is now forced to fight for their own countries and possibly even face each other in battle?"
"And wait, does this mean Emile is dead?"
Luke instantly realized something.
Could it be that Valiant Hearts: The Great War is telling a story like this?
A tragic tale of family members fighting each other, showing how national duty clashes with family bonds—and using that to highlight how brutal war really is?
It definitely seemed possible. But if that's the direction the story goes, wouldn't it be a bit too melodramatic?
Luke thought about it but didn't say anything. Instead, she just explained the current events to her livestream audience.
Having played Undertale and To the Moon, she believed this game probably wouldn't be that cliché.
And besides, it's only been ten minutes since the game started.
"Miss Marie Cheyron, Private Emile Cheyron of the 150th Infantry Regiment was wounded in battle on August 21 and has been taken prisoner by the enemy."
"We hope to hear news from him soon."
With sad orchestral music in the background, a narrator spoke up.
The scene shifted to Emile's farm. His daughter cried uncontrollably as she read the letter in her hands.
At least this part gave Luke and her viewers a bit of relief.
He was captured but still alive—that was something to be glad about.
As Luke was trying to guess what would happen next—maybe Emile and Karl would escape the German army together, or maybe Karl would help Emile escape—
The screen shifted to a different character: the Black soldier Emile had helped earlier at the train station.
"Freddie, an American soldier, volunteered to join the Allies at the start of the war."
"Behind his brave face was a heart already broken and scarred by the horrors of war."
"He had only one goal: to punish the ones who ruined his life."
"It wasn't until the Battle of the Marne that Freddie finally tracked down the unit led by Baron Von Dorf."
Listening to the narration and seeing the comic book–style panels, Luke pretty much got the idea of this new character's background.
Karl and Emile were both drafted against their will.
But Freddie, an American, had come to Europe and joined the Allies—not out of some sense of justice.
He was here for revenge. Most likely, the German army—especially the one led by this Baron Von Dorf—was responsible for killing his wife.
Luke thought back to the photo shown in his introduction and guessed that might be the case.
Still, she couldn't be sure.
So far, this game had given her a very unique feeling.
There were barely any lines of dialogue.
Instead, the game used serious narration, which made it feel almost like watching a documentary.
At the same time, the game was filled with moments of light, clever humor—just enough to make the player smile—
But before you could really enjoy it, the cartoonish art style would suddenly hit you with the harsh reality of war.
That contrast made the humor feel even more bitter and ironic.
Then there was the gameplay itself. Unlike Emile's bullet-dodging sections—
Playing as Freddie introduced stealth and puzzle-solving mechanics.
Just like the game's description said, Valiant Hearts: The Great War was a puzzle-focused game.
Emile hadn't really shown much of that side yet.
But with Freddie, you had to make use of various in-game tools and systems to sneak deep into enemy territory.
For example, in the current level, it didn't take long for Luke to figure out the trick.
First, use a grenade to blow down the ladder. Then, time the machine gunner's shooting pattern and climb up the ladder to reach the target.
After that, use rocks or other tools to make noise and distract the enemies. While they're not paying attention, go back down the ladder and knock them out with punches as strong as sandbags.
Just like Nebula Games' earlier game Outlast, even though this one is set during World War I, at least for now the player has no gun.
All you can do is rely on your fists, and sometimes use pliers to cut through barbed wire.
Maybe because it's the beginning of the game, the puzzle isn't too hard. Luke quickly figured out what to do after taking a quick look.
But there was one thing she also noticed.
Even though the game's art style looks cartoonish and funny, and the story hasn't started making any big moral points yet,
It's full of satire. For example, at the train station, you have to bribe an officer with beer.
And in Freddy's mission, while German soldiers are fighting up front, the officer Baron Von Dorf is just in his room tasting wine. When Allied forces break through the defense line, he immediately escapes in a blimp.
After finishing Freddy's part, he angrily tears the German flag in half. Then, just like before, the screen fades to black.
At the same time, a voiceover appears along with a comic-style background.
[Because of reinforcements from the British, the German plan failed. The frontline shifted north and winter arrived.]
[Karl's team retreated to the outskirts of Neuve-Chapelle, which was also where Emile was being held.]
"Huh, so Emile and Karl will meet each other?"
Looking at this background info, Luke quietly muttered to herself.
In the next scene, the player is back in control of Emile.
Unlike before when he wore a military uniform, now Emile is in a plain kitchen apron. His legs are chained, and he's holding a big metal spoon. Looks like he's become a cook for the German army.
Here, besides Baron Von Dorf, Luke also sees another familiar character — the German search dog that was shown earlier in the game's intro and UI screen.
After giving the dog some water, Emile heads into the warehouse to cook. At that moment, Karl sneaks in to see him.
They're both really happy to meet. Karl asks about Emile's wife.
Emile hands him a letter and photo from his daughter.
But before they can say much more, soldiers outside waiting for food start yelling, so Karl and Emile have to split up quickly.
Just as Emile brings the big pot of food outside...
British artillery begins to rain down.
In the bombing, Emile gets buried under falling rubble.
The screen turns black and silent, making both Luke and her viewers at home feel worried about Emile.
(End of The Chapter)
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