Shadow Hearts

The challenge reviewing Role Playing Games, is that they can be seen as essentially the same. The general plot revolves around a lone warrior who doesn’t know his true destiny. Who, after acquiring a group of diverse friends, sets about saving the world from destruction. Despite the rampant clichés I still find myself drawn to the genre for another bout of world saving.

What remains to distinctively separate the experience is the who and how. The “who” in the case of Shadow Hearts is Yuri, a young rogue with the unique ability to fuse with different monsters to become more powerful. The story centers around Yuri as he slowly discovers his past and the origins of a mysterious voice in his head that leads him toward his destiny. While it may sound like it’s been done many times before, the script is actually quite different from standard RPG rhetoric. Shadow Hearts is a rather dark tale with gruesome murders, demons, and other bizarre creatures. It also has a different style of dialog between characters that’s more cocky, sarcastic, and gritty than the usual lofty, innocent, and ignorant fare that other console RPGs offer.

“How” the player moves through the story is a combination of depth and simplicity. A simple map interface transports you instantly to cities and “dungeons”. No need to drudge your way through a vast overworld fraught with random battles. SH actually has remarkable pacing that allowed me to dawdle in dungeons and explore, but never required me to painfully run in circles leveling up to get past the next boss. (note: normally I’m the type of player who will incessantly “over-level” my characters, but in SH I found it largely unnecessary.)

The most unique thing about Shadow Hearts remains the “Judgment Ring”. Picture a clock with a sweeping hand and you’ll get the idea. In all aspects of the game, the Judgment Ring controls your fate. You will be prompted to use the Ring to open chests and doors, to reveal secrets, and to perform actions in battle. Each action has a Ring with various “Hit Areas”, you need to push the action button as the hand sweeps past each hit area to succeed at that particular action. Hit Areas on the Battle Ring also have a “sweet spot” that, when hit, will increase the power of an attack, spell, or item. Even though battle is turn based, with the Judgment Ring, you must remain aware and alert or else suffer the consequences of missed attacks and opportunities.

Fortunately the Judgment Ring was there to keep things exciting otherwise I would have digressed into a diatribe of annoyance regarding battles right away. The random encounters appear at a nice rate, not every three seconds like Final Fantasy 1. Still, the time spent in battle was exacerbated at times. Large groups of enemies that sling worthless and weak spells at you with a cast time of 20 seconds each were enough to make me scream. Seeing that stupid “fireball” spell 12 times each battle was infuriating, especially at the cost of a lame 30 HP (total). Another gripe is that not having the proper item equipped during a boss battle would instantly spell doom for those that aren’t power-leveled. Those status effects are just a “poor man’s” way to make things more difficult and only succeed in frustrating the player.

All ranting aside, I ended up with a satisfying 30 hour adventure through pre World War I Europe and Asia. The unique setting (reality) versus a mystical land was appreciated by someone who’s explored more non-existent territory than Lewis and Clark. There is even more to explore and see than I touched so those who love side quests and optional areas will be able to keep playing for longer than I did. Even with some gripes about particular battles, the battle system with the Judgment Ring kept things fresh and active to the end. If Shadow Hearts wasn’t so darn hard to find (and expensive for an older game) I would recommend every RPG fan partake in this little gem.

ESRB Rating information: M
Blood and Gore, Violence

The "M" Factor Rating Information

Blood and Gore: The bulk of the Blood and Gore in Shadow Hearts is at the beginning when you see humans being eviscerated and slaughtered by a small demon. Blood is plentiful in this scene and is spread around the walls and floor.

Violence: Beyond the opening scene, violence is limited to physical attacks on human and non-human enemies. Punching, kicking, using swords and guns, and casting exploding, or burning type spells. No blood is present during the in game battles just a flash of light representing a “hit”.

Strong Language: No curse words or swearing, but verbally confrontational dialog is present.

Sexual Content: There is a reference by one of the male characters that he might like to take advantage of an unconscious female. Any overt sexual display is not present.

Drug Reference: Nope.

Terror: Shadow Hearts takes place in a “dark” world with strange creatures. Dogs with hands for a face, deformed humanoids with bird heads, and other such weirdness my be cause for further scrutiny.

-wileee