Systems: PlayStation 2
ESRB Rating: M (for Mature)
Many gamers would argue that the quality of games from the 1980s to 1990s has changed drastically compared to games from 2000 on. Rather than spending between 30 and 40 dollars per game and getting from 40 to 100 hours of game play, a good percentage of games now cost between 40 to 60 dollars and give players between 20 to 40 hours. In an economy where more individuals are paying strict attention to where their money is going, the question most gamers face is, “Is this game truly going to be worth my money?” One game released in 2001 on the PlayStation 2 received little advertising attention and out shadowed by release giant Final Fantasy X, game company Midway, Aruze, and Sacnoth released Shadow Hearts to audiences around the world. Despite the low media attention, Shadow Hearts has since gained a cult following for its unique characters and revolutionized battle system. It is now available online used for 27 dollars in some places and offers more than 60 hours of in-depth game play.
Featuring a storyline set in an alternate reality in 1913, the threat of World War I is alive and real, weight heavily upon the citizens of Asia and Europe. The opening FMV (Full Motion Video) opens up with a foreboding musical score and the haunting typing of an old fashioned type writer, flashing an article surrounding the brutal murder of a traveling priest and that his only daughter, Alice Elliot, is missing. Taken through a supernatural loop, players are soon submersed in a storyline involving exorcisms, ghosts, and classic RPG styles. Featuring a rude and cheeky hero, Yuri Volte Hyuga soon has the player either laughing or grinning constantly with his quirky comments in deadly situations.
With one of the most original cast of characters ranging from exorcists, to vampires, to a world famous spy, Shadow Hearts brings to light a change to classic turn based battle systems. With most video gamers used to arriving to a battle screen and selecting what individual character will do, the amount of damage inflicted upon the enemy was usually dictated by the power of the weapon or spell used and the level that the character had achieved at that particular time. Now, in Shadow Hearts, all of these contributions and factors combine together to face what the game battle system calls the Judgment Ring. Upon deciding to use a attack, spell, or item, players will be faced with a circular judgment ring in the upper right corner of the screen. Depending on the level of attack or healing, players can predict to see one to five shaded areas within the circle. Video gamers are charged to hitting the X button within the designated area, wherever the area hits upon the X button determines the amount of damage or healing done.
Classic turn based battle sequences compliment the settings heavily as the main theme of Shadow Hearts relies upon the creepy environments the cast of characters explore and the variety of horrifying creatures that could slither out at any moment. Upon entering battles, varieties of creatures that look like they belong to the Resident Evil or Silent Hill video game series will most likely have people either shivering or wincing. While not terrifying enough to make people toss down the controller and take a break, gamers will most likely be gasping in shock at the hellish creatures that will be coming forth for the main protagonists to face.
From haunted Japanese villages to terrifying castles filled with wandering spirits, gamers will get a true experience of intensity and tension as they lead the way for their characters to explore. Musical scores and compositions throughout the game heavily add to the tension and reward gamers with shocking moments of haunting piano scores and shrieking violin strings. However, one subtle addition that provides rather shocking feelings is the power of the musical compositions created to play during the emotional flute scores and FMV scenes throughout the game offering tear jerking moments.
While the voice acting could have used better recording, Shadow Hearts brings a completely unique experience from a sadly unknown game. From loveable characters, to interesting storylines, to a revolutionizing battle system, Shadow Hearts is well worth the hunt online or in video gaming retail stores. Gamers will be spending 60+ hours exploring the haunted and vibrant country sides and cities of 1913’s Asia and Europe with intriguing antagonists following their every move.
Overall Rating: 8.9 out of 10
