"A Ton of Games"

JRPG #3/100

#Shadow Hearts

A really fun title with an interesting battle mechanic, Shadow Hearts is a game I have a lot fo love for. Originally picking it up at a time when the only JRPG's I had played were #Final Fantasy games, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Shadow Hearts. Forgoing the typical tropes of medieval knights or anime-esque teens, the game takes place in an alternate-history Earth. Set in 1913, the game follows Yuri, a young man with the ability to "fuse" with demons, taking on their form. This provides an interesting dynamic to the battles, as you must decide which demons to equip and take into battle with you, with a max of 3 able to be equipped at any one time. Elemental weaknesses are a big focus in this game, so choosing the right forms against bosses can be critical. Battles are turn-based, but with a twist. The game utilises the "Judgement Ring" mechanic, wherein every player action starts a minigame of sorts focusing on a disc with a spinning pointer. The player must time their button presses, hitting the various "hit areas" as the pointer passes trhough them. This ensures that player skill is just as important as character stats. The Judgement Ring mechanic also brings added importance to status effects. Unlike other RPG's, status effects do not merely inflict favourable/unfavourable states on the characters, but the player as well. Some effects may make it harder to successfully use items/attacks by changing the size of the hit areas, spinning the pointer erratically or even removing both the pointer and hit areas from view completely. This makes the battles that much more engaging, as maintaining and utilising the Judgement Ring is crucial to victory.

The game borrows a lot from Lovecraftian horror and does not shy away from the draker themes this may bring. The characters are all rather varied and interesting, with your party containing anything from old chinese mystics, to European spies, and even a vampire. There is also a good deal of side-content in the game and I will admit, I missed quite a lot the first time I played through the game. Thankfully, the game offers a New Game Plus option, which makes playing through a second time a breeze, allowing you to focus on the stuff you missed.

Overall an excellent RPG, and on the shorter side at around 25-30 hours, I would recommend this to anyone who has access to a PS2. Sadly the developer is now disbanded and the game rights up in the air, so a HD re-release/port of this game is highly unlikely, meaning the orignal version is the only way to play. Trust me though, you will not be disappointed :)

8.5/10