Shadow Hearts (ps2)
In the last month of 2001, the sequel to a strange RPG named Koudelka saw the light. Shadow Hearts was the name of the new game released by Sacnoth, a company with former members from the RPG giant Squaresoft. Many thoughts sorrounded around this sequel. The big gap between good and bad reviews was huge. Scores from 4 and up to 10 was displayed at various websites and magazines. Obviously, the reason why many did’nt purchase Shadow Hearts were because huge gaming sites across the net, and popular video game magazine gave it bad critiscism. This led to bad sales for the game Sacnoth had brought to life….
The story of Shadow Hearts is set in the year 1913. The story starts in France, but moves on out to the far east as you progress. You play as a mysterious boy named Yuri Hyuga. Son of a Russian mother and a Japanese father. Both his Mother and Father died when he was 10. After the death of his parents, the power of fusion was born inside him. He had now recieved the power of an Harmonixer. This power was truly a rare power. He could now turn himself into horrifying beasts.
Ever since the day his parents died, Yuri has had a mysterious voice talking to him inside his mind, giving him directions of where to go and what to do. Yuri promises himself to find out whose voice this is. One day the Voice gives Yuri a difficult task. He must protect an english girl named Alice Elliot which is in grave danger. And so a new adventure is born…
Graphics : 7/10
Not at the same graphical level as it’s competitor Final Fantasy X, but it works out well, with pre-rendered backgrounds like in the Psx Final Fantasy games. The Graphics in the CG Sequences are one step above the ones in Final Fantasy IX. The spell effects are the most impressive graphical effects in the game. Overall the graphics are beautiful, but i have seen better…
Gameplay : 10/10
This is one the departments where Shadow Hearts truly shines. A great battle system that gives so much variation. The Judgement Ring serves nothing but enjoyment. The fusion summoning also helps in serving fun. Many hours of fun awaits you…
Music : 10/10
Composed by the two incredible composers, Yoshitaka Hirota and the well known Yasunori Mitsuda. Mitsuda, Known for his breathtaking scores from the Chrono Series, and the Xeno Series, Teamed up with Hirota to make a hell of a soundtrack… The final result is what the score above shows…Great!…
Story : 10/10
Dark, violent and mysterious. An exciting story with an ability to make the player not let go of the controller. A story that is so interesting that you probably will experience trouble with getting yourself to bed.
Final Words :
All in all Shadow Hearts stands as an outstanding RPG. It’s not difficult to see and experience that Sacnoth has put a lot of time into the making of this incredible game. Every RPG lover should have this in their collection.
If you happen to find Shadow Hearts and have the right amount of cash, buy it. You won’t regret you did. The game is now out of print, so the hunt can be difficult…
Final Score : 9/10
Categories: Reviews, Role Playing
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