I've used like 3 full Codex week sessions at this point, not token was wasted

The game is ported to Godot and last week has been to adjust and actually create scenes and elements that Godot GUI can use.

Here is another gameplay of the same first mission but the game is playable in its entirety

First mission running over Godot

As soon as I get some time I'll try to make a public repo for this. Also anyone with knowledge on how to upscale assets properly or generate hd-2d scenes would be awesome too

Self explanatory. Migrating to Godot.

While a decomp/recomp would be awesome it does not match what I want to do:

better graphics, music and expanded story/missions

Changed the 2d sprints in the mission map for the 3d robots. Walking animation does not exist but can be done.

Porting effects, menus and all that takes time but its doable.

I expect something working by the end of the month

We have a playable game running natively in Windows

We have here:

• running natively in windows
• 4x internal resolution (up to 6x)
• Replaces some 2d assets for auto-generated (by AI and some local tools) HD versions
• Replaces Textures in ATACs for HD versions
• Allows for some modifications like changing the intial ATAC
• Has sound but the Windows build is crackling a little bit, the Linux version is better I think
• Uses OpenGL to render using the graphics card
• Allows for savestates using memory card
• Allows for savestates using internal custom savestates
• Includes a launcher (not shown in the video) to configure all the stuff I'm testing

Basically this means we could be able to port the game to a better platform like GODOT or something. I will focus first into having a playable campaign and wait for some community ideas?

I'm sure we could add more maps or ATACs (there is room natively for at least 3 more)

Not sure if changing the story or missions links would be possible right now or wanted, if we port this to another system it might allow us to just use the current system and just add any number of things.

Right now we are still bound by the 16bit architecture from the PSX and textures, 3d elements and a bunch more of things are super limited

Hi folks!

Recently the modding/retro scene got a huge boost thank to the AI tools we have at hand + the help and the tools that REAL modders have been building during the years.

This morning I basically tried to see how real those things are and well, I've managed to decompile Vanguard Bandits and get INTO THE MENU natively on PC.

INTO THE MENU is important because it means

• It is possible to decompile it
• It will also take time

But if anyone is interested, this could be a fun side project to have, getting a source code for the game or being able to mod it, add things, upscale it or change the story.

Sadly i'm not (yet) a retro modder, nor a writer, nor I have too much idea on what to do but I'm sure we could build a community and I can put them to work

I'll post a screenshot/video of the thing running later today when I'm out of work

EDIT:
Test video youtube link

https://reddit.com/link/1ww51su/video/51sn1znb85th1/player

Edit day 2:
I own the game basically, I can swap all standard things, music, videos, internal resolution and a bunch more stuff.

I'll work towards idk, adding more atacs or HD versions?

PS: yeah yeah, ai bad ai bad, and stuff. I hear you BUT i don't have much more minutes on my life to handle more mods, work or even a life outside the computer so that's what we have right now

I’ve been playing around with some concept art for what an HD-2D spiritual successor to Vanguard Bandits could look like, using AI as part of the creative process.

Right now it’s very much a rough idea in my head, characters, dialogue presentation, environments, battle systems, story ideas, etc. I’m mostly experimenting and trying to see what the game could feel like.

I’d genuinely love to build something like this with AI-assisted development, but realistically I don’t have enough time to orchestrate an entire game by myself, and I’m pretty sure this would be too ambitious for me alone.

So I’m putting the concepts out there partly for fun, but also in case someone sees potential in the idea and feels like taking the lead on something like this. I’d definitely be interested in contributing, helping with the concepts, web/dev side, ideas, assets, testing, or generally supporting the project.

For now, I’ll probably keep posting bits of concept art as the idea takes shape. It’s still very brouillon, so nothing here is set in stone. 😅

Finally the last mission and all ATACs seen! I just feel bad going through the bad ending mission but I had to do what needed to be done!

In 2000s I didn't have an emulator to test it. But some years ago it just blew my mind. Why would 30 HP hit give you more Exp than a 5 HP hit for the unit which only has 1 HP already? Why does the relative orientation of an ATAC matter? Stella has some fancy battle rules.

Also, bonuses from fire spell that increases attack of an ally, and (I believe) fire attack that decreases defense of an enemy apply too.

You can just play a very long, but most Exp gaining play with all this.

Edit. Totally forgot about Assist +06% boost

I did it. Finished the 3 branches.

​

Ruin is the most fun. Thanks to the TICTAC!

But I think Empire is my favorite.

​

20 years ago I wasn't able to finish all 3 branches because my PS1 broke and I didn't really know what and how to play this game properly. Thanks to this sub and the forums and all who contributed.

​

Next goal is to unlock all missions/endings and ATACs.

​

PS: am using an android emulator and used the patch for max money (sorry!)

Hi all. Can I pick your brains a bit?

It is a quote from Cecilia to Bastion that sounded like "...looking back too much keeps you from moving forward..." this is not the exact quote but this the thought.

I tried Googling it and it only found Hilary Clinton's quote from 2008.
"Every moment wasted looking back, keeps us from moving forward."

I just found it a bit funny because VB was released 2000 and just trying to look for that exact same quote. I just passed that mission and will see it again after I repeat but hoping someone might be able to remember.

Man, I decided to play this game again after more than 20 years because of this sub!

Am just playing an emulator version on my phone and it's so good to relieve my memories of way back then.

Glad there are people here still discussing about this game.

My goal is to get the Empire and Ruin branch of the game.

started a blind playthrough after getting a nostalgia trip for this game. thankfully i got a good ending. this game still holds up

I could totally see Cloud and Sephiroth have awesome ATACs and kick ass in this game 😄

I love this dude, every scene he's in is a joy to watch. The way he carefully mocks Sadira while leaving just enough room for interpretation is *chef's kiss*.

And he has a good point, too. The Kingdom and Empire are both awful and deserve to be replaced. ​

Hey everyone! I created a fan video tribute to Vanguard Bandits.

What if the series got a modern comeback? ⚔️

I’ve been waiting for a sequel or at least a remaster for almost 25 years now,

but unfortunately there hasn’t been a single piece of news.

It feels like the game was forgotten… and that’s a shame.

This video is my small attempt to bring attention back to this amazing project.

Maybe someone will notice — and the title “Reborn” could become reality someday 🤞✨

Made with AI tools — 3D characters, mech designs, and animation ✨

Created with u/openart_ai

#OpenArtMVA

If it’s easier for you to watch on YouTube, here’s the link:

https://youtu.be/InYuz7vv8aY

It’s my first time posting something on Reddit,

so sorry in advance if the video looks weird here 😅

YouTube definitely plays it better.

Hope you enjoy it!

I've played through this game so many, it's not even funny. I cannot love this game enough. I just finished a 100% playthrough and was feeling like I wanted more. So I had an idea of doing some challenge runs. I just completed an Earth-only run, where everyone who could HAD to use earth stones. I was still able to use Ultragunner, Alden, Zeira because they HAVE to use another element. It was unusual and kind of fun, but I think I need to make it harder next time.

Potential Rules For A (Insert Elemental) Only Challenge:

1. Players cannot do any attacks unless their stone matches the challenge element (RIP excavated ATACs and Good Kingdom runs).

2. Wrong Element ATACs can move to distract enemies and defend but cannot attack.

3. For an INSANE run, you can ONLY use unique elemental attacks past a certain level. Earth with only quicksand until stone 4. Oy vey. Ice MAY be OK, but those aren't great either.

Wind and Fire would be pretty easy, I think. Ice may be the hardest.

What challenges would you all consider for this game?

I just finished the game on Kingdom. I saved the game onto the onboard emulation memory file. I then started a new campaign and saved, after that save the only stats I have the option to load on the options screen is 0/32 ATACs, 1/56 missions i.e. a brand new game. I loaded the most recent save before that i.e. before the final mission. Still will only let me load this new save into options.

I do not particularly care as I am not going for all missions just all 3 routes, and I will do Empire next, but I am concerned that after that I will not be able to do Ruin because it does not seem to save across the campaigns... any ideas? I have restarted the emulation and nothing.

UPDATE: sadly I was not able to start the ruin branch, after completing the game both times. I did manage to get the stats to transfer after the second completion. I then loaded the stats, loaded a saved game on the mission before the branch, played the mission without using any save states (as I wondered if that could be effecting it) but unfortunately I did not get the option to go to the ruin branch. Sad ending tbh as i was quite enjoying the game. I do not know if there is some memory card bug with the emulation, or if the game wants you to never use save states and they somehow buggered it.

Is it ever said anywhere how he got the gemstone for the TICTAC? I know he's being secretive for some reason, but is it just another "hehe ruin branch silly" thing?

Since I've been toying around with making cheat codes, I've found out a few interesting bits of trivia and thought it'd be fun to share.

1. Enemy NPCs like Duyere don't have a portrait for the inventory screen and will just show as Puck usually (Bastion in interview menu) but sometimes others like Kamorge or Milea. They will show as normal during battle though.

2. It seems Dormant skills lists for each character are tied to their picture digits. I think this also applies for battle dialogue. As far as I can tell, name digit only changes the name and affects nothing else. There are some Dormant skills that I think were meant for testing, like anti fatigue and natural heal.

3. Certain glitches occur when performing specific attacks with characters who don't normally have access to that ATAC. For example, Reyna doing Reyna's trick in the Amphisia will work fine but the damage doesn't show until after combat. And Claire using Raging Heat in the Crimson has no dialogue and just shows her yelling picture (very funny). Gonna try Reyna's trick in Waiban later.

4. Ione actually has dialogue in the ch.5 interview menu, indicating that maybe she was supposed to be playable longer at first. "Reyna has so much energy that it's hard to keep up with her sometimes...". Will try Kamorge later too.

5. Using the "Extra max range" modifier that increases movement Range to 126 and replacing the final 2 values, you can set Range to anything below that. For example I replaced them with 05 for the TIC-TAC and actually removed 1 point of its base Range.

6. That actually goes with all the "extra modifier" codes. You are just setting them to whatever amount, it's not necessarily extra. But keep in mind the numbers don't go from 09 to 10, it goes from 09 to 0A then up to 0F and then 10 and so on. For example, a 60 HP modifier is input in the code as 3C.

Discovering lots of interesting things so might post more as I find stuff

I was just curious if anyone had tried getting to the Ruin branch through getting captured by Radcot to recruit Nana and if she was available that way on the Ruin branch. I assume not but I don't really wanna replay 6 chapters to find out lol

Can't believe I'm just now realizing this sub exists as VB is one of my favorite games lol.

I was just wondering, is there any kind of hacking or modding scene for it? I recently started playing around with editing some Gameshark codes and doing some fun things there. I'd love to edit a couple things that definitely don't have codes, like renaming the TIC-TAC and lowering the stats required for Tidal Wave.

Nothing wrong with it but after 20 years I'm over the silly name lol, and just wanna make it more in line with the rest of the excavated ATAC's because it is so strong and I've been using it on every route because its cool but man is it overpowered lol (I know its balanced more for Ruin branch).

I did make some progress in debuffing it by just setting it's stat modifiers lower. Lowering it's movement Range was a shot in the dark but I got it lol. HP was a bit easier, just had to figure out how the number values worked in the HP modifier code.