Ubisoft’s surprise World War I action puzzler Valiant Hearts: The Great War is looking marvelous. Developed by some of the best and brightest minds behind Rayman Legends and Beyond Good and Evil, the frank yet humorous take on the horrors of war focuses on five characters, each of whom cross paths with one another and also a day-saving, heart-melting Red Cross puppy. The tale isn’t biographical per se, but it’s absolutely rooted in reality, with many scenarios writ large by history’s mighty quill – and also small by pens on actual postcards from the time, given to producer/audio director Yoan Fanise by his grandmother. His great grandfather fought, and Valiant Hearts is in part an attempt to honor that service. I recently sat down with Fanise, and he showed me the individual postcards that inspired the game and told me precisely where fiction meets reality. 

And OK, yeah, we also talked about the dog.

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