#4 Vandal Hearts
Long before everyone started making a big deal about the politics, red weddings and scandalous love affairs in the TV adaptation of Game of Thrones, tactical turn-based RPGs Vandal Hearts and its improved sequel had it in spades on PlayStation. You can liken Vandal Hearts to what would happen if Final Fantasy Tactics turned up the dial on the violence factor and featured far more politically and religiously motivated back-stabbings, pillage scenes and over-the-top blood geysers.
It really stumps me why Konami hasn’t re-released the first two games on the PlayStation Store. They are brimming with fantastic characterization that’s supplemented by well-written, witty dialogue and marvelously rich orchestral soundtracks. The series could have seen resurgence with its PS3/Xbox 360 prequel, Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment, but the ball was dropped thanks in part to the game’s awkwardly lackluster art direction. A return to form is needed for this oft-forgotten series.
