i am approx. 5 hours in this game and must say that this RPG is defintely one of the most underhyped games of 2004. i already thought of starting this thread with some decent first play impressions but i just came over a very nice summary of my thoughts at the VG Plus reviews section, where STEVEN FUNG left a short and spoilerfree review of Shadow Hearts: Covenant (US NTSC Version)!
source: http://www.videogamesplus.ca/product...&reviews_id=63
source: http://www.videogamesplus.ca/product...&reviews_id=63
It's a pity that most people will miss this - the most surprisingly solid RPG of the year - for lesser titles with more hype. I'm sure most RPGers have already gotten their kicks with FFX2 and Star Ocean released earlier but none of them have the pure gameplay and inspired story that Shadow Hearts: Covenent does.
For those who have not played the previous SH, this game's battles run entirely on what is known as the Judgement Ring system. It's purely skill based, and it's a little like playing slots every time you perform an action in battle (only without the luck factor). The more skillfully you stop the ring the better your damage or the better your spell effects. This isn't an average gimmick. You can customize your ring to make it easier, harder (but more effective), faster, slower, wider, thinner and there's even an auto feature for those who really don't want to make the effort. In short, it's a system that is accessible to anyone who wants to play this game.
But while the battle system made me want to play the game, the plot is what kept me playing it. Set it a WWI era backdrop, the story offers a fresh break from freakish dragons and princesses in castles. Every major scene in this game is superbly scripted and even more stupendously acted, lending an air of gravity to important moments and casual lightness to the funnier moments. Throw in a set of unpredictable plot twists and a cast of engaging characters and you have a boiling pot of unforgettable moments just waiting to burst forth.
There is only one misstep in Shadow Hearts: Covenent. You'd think that with a cast of chracters like a braindead muscleman, a wizened old puppeteer and the first playable quadraped since Red XIII would make for great character developing opportunities, but sadly, with the exception of the main character, all the others are introduced, participate in their one episode, and quickly relegated to background status.
It really is too bad that most RPGers will miss Shadow Hearts just because they have not played the first one. I admit, those who are new will have to deal with some heavy referencing to the original but that's nothing a trip to Gamefaqs.com can't solve. Still, I just feel I have to do my part in promoting this game and I just want to say that there is at least one person - myself - who have played this game, enjoyed it, and think that everyone should at least give it a try. And who am I? I'm just an old man who loves traditional RPGs.
For those who have not played the previous SH, this game's battles run entirely on what is known as the Judgement Ring system. It's purely skill based, and it's a little like playing slots every time you perform an action in battle (only without the luck factor). The more skillfully you stop the ring the better your damage or the better your spell effects. This isn't an average gimmick. You can customize your ring to make it easier, harder (but more effective), faster, slower, wider, thinner and there's even an auto feature for those who really don't want to make the effort. In short, it's a system that is accessible to anyone who wants to play this game.
But while the battle system made me want to play the game, the plot is what kept me playing it. Set it a WWI era backdrop, the story offers a fresh break from freakish dragons and princesses in castles. Every major scene in this game is superbly scripted and even more stupendously acted, lending an air of gravity to important moments and casual lightness to the funnier moments. Throw in a set of unpredictable plot twists and a cast of engaging characters and you have a boiling pot of unforgettable moments just waiting to burst forth.
There is only one misstep in Shadow Hearts: Covenent. You'd think that with a cast of chracters like a braindead muscleman, a wizened old puppeteer and the first playable quadraped since Red XIII would make for great character developing opportunities, but sadly, with the exception of the main character, all the others are introduced, participate in their one episode, and quickly relegated to background status.
It really is too bad that most RPGers will miss Shadow Hearts just because they have not played the first one. I admit, those who are new will have to deal with some heavy referencing to the original but that's nothing a trip to Gamefaqs.com can't solve. Still, I just feel I have to do my part in promoting this game and I just want to say that there is at least one person - myself - who have played this game, enjoyed it, and think that everyone should at least give it a try. And who am I? I'm just an old man who loves traditional RPGs.
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