Konami Digital Entertainment announced that Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment, the first next-generation installment for the classic tactical RPG series, will be available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Featuring newly designed mechanics, Flames of Judgment combines the speedy RPG pace of the original with top-notch visual presentation. The rich storyline expands the universe further serving as the prequel to the original Vandal Hearts.

On the continent of Sostegaria, two rival kingdoms stand on the brink of war. Caught in the tide of battle is young orphan Tobias Martin. Driven to defend his homeland, and to avenge those already fallen, Tobias enlists with his comrades to fight for peace. But all is not what it seems, and they face a threat far deadlier – and closer – than they know. As the massive battle unfolds across expansive environments, players will experience party members adapting to their style of gameplay broadened by a deep range of character customization options.

Using character customization options, players will experience the cast evolving and adapting to various styles of gameplay as the battles carry on. Vandal Hearts has always been known for its strong and memorable characters and Flames of Judgment is no exception. Your party members adapt to your style of gameplay. The characters naturally and automatically improve at whatever they do, providing a wide, deep range of customization options.

Similar to Final Fantasy Tactics, units in Vandal Hearts move about a 3D isometric battlefield through a series of grid spaces, allowing them to attack enemies from any side, even performing flanks and pincer attacks with their teammates. A new addition to Flames of Judgment is the ability to level a character up by specializing them in a specific task; the more a character performs a specific action, the more their stats will rise, similar to Final Fantasy II. Like Final Fantasy Tactics, the game will also utilize a Job system, allowing further customization and specialization of your units.

The game’s classic gameplay is expanded and streamlined. It combines the speedy RPG pace of the original Vandal Hearts with improved user mechanics and top-notch presentation. Served with a strong story the game is set as the prequel to the original Vandal Hearts. Flames of Judgment delivers a rich, focused, and character-driven storyline that includes quality cinematic cut scenes.

Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment features multiple possible endings based on the player’s actions throughout the game to determine the ending, Tobias’ future and more!

Originally scheduled to be released for Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 in August 2009, no reason was provided for the postponement of the game. XBLArcade.com will have more on Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment as we get closer to a confirmed release date. Until then, let us know what you think about this prequel to an all-new installment of the 10-years-dead Vandal Hearts franchise by posting a comment below.