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Looking for an all around balanced game....BINGO!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 13, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Shadow Hearts II was in impulse buy for me. I was in the need of a new RPG and my current series pursuits were dry. This game is a must for fans of FF or Xenosaga. Your main characters are Yuri, a youth who can transform into various demons as well as fight on his own, Karin, a former German officer sent to capture Yuri's village, and a whole cast of characters reminisent of FF set ups. A strong man, a psychic, a russian princess, an old man of some repute, a loyal wolf companion, and of course a samurai warrior. The setting is in the first world war era, and it covers most of the historical period that set off that very war, but with a new twist. While the world moves to war, Yuri and his companions must battle Rasputin who is attempting to unleash a God to destroy the world. Worse yet, Yuri is living on borrowed time, very early on in the game he become infected with a supernatural weapon that is slowly killing his very soul. Finally, like any good story, the ending is like none I expected. Many stories you get a feel for where it is going or that everything will turn out all right in the end or something, but the ending, which I will not ruin, was the most satisfying I could have had. A good buy for any gamer but especially for RPGers around the world.

My most favorite RPG series!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: August 26, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I have been a devout fan of Shadow Hearts since I played the first one. I backtracked and played Koudelka just to get a feel for SH1's backstory. I was reluctant to get Covenant because many sequels (especially in this genre) do not outshine the original. Ever since I have played it, I have never looked back. I have not even picked SH1 back up. This sequel spoils you. In the first SH, the J. Ring changed after each weapon...for everyone. You would have to get used to, minimum, 24 different rings. Moxibustion costs way too much, too. The first required some leveling--and I HATE RPGs that require too much leveling. I can't stand leveling. It should happen normally through the natural progression of the game. Not to mention that cheats are not necessary here! You can hold/buy up to 99 Strike Areas and 99 Hit Areas with the millions of dollars you can get by using Lucia and having her pull "The Tower" tarot card (you'll feel like you're playing the lottery). In SH1, I cared little for having to empty Yuri's malice every ten or less fights. I got into some really scary situations sometimes. It seems like EVERY problem that SH1 had that kept it from being perfect was taken out in the sequel. That is why, despite all of the RPGs I have played in my lifetime(dozens fold), This game is MY FAVORITE. Yes, no other game gets this honor from me--and Star Ocean Second Story, the Arc the Lad series, Growlanser, Disgaea, Nocturne, Stella Deus, Legend of the Dragoon, Digital Devil Saga, Jade Empire, and Xenosaga I were REALLY good.

Weirdly enough, I don't like any Final Fantasy game, and I have played them ALL (yes, even 7). They are so unorganized and boring. Yet, people always want to compare this game (and others) to the FF's. I am tired of RPGs being put up to a "FF standards test". There are many unique RPGs out there that belong in a class of their own. There are many subgenres of RPGs, and FF does not fit the bill for all of them. FF does not rule the world, and RPGs need to stop being compared to this series.

<3

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 7
Date: February 25, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I'll make my review short and to the point. This is a great game. =D

Best RPG of the Year!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: December 17, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is ione great game. You don't necessarily have to play the first one to enjoy the second one. I've played the first Shadow Hearts, and this is by far the best sequel for any game that I have ever played! The storyline, graphics, music, game play all rival or surpass that of any Final Fantasy series. The game is also coded in Dolby ProLogic II so if you have a nice home theatre system like I do, you'll be amazed at the movies... it's such a high quality production in terms of both visual and auditorial experience. Do yourself a favor this holiday and buy this game and enjoy. You'll be glad you did.

A nice way to spend 40+ hours

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: May 10, 2005
Author: Amazon User

ShadowHearts 2 is easily one of the better Playstation 2 RPGS. Not that I speak from a lot of experience, but I do know what I like and Shadowhearts has it!

Here is a quick run down-

- Graphics- Good I guess, they seemed great to me, but too be honest, all games now have "great" graphics to me ( I grew up in the days of the Intellivision and Atari).

- Gameplay- very fun, and quite easy (Until the final battle). The "ring" style form of battle is easy to catch on to, and adds a nice element of skill to the game.

- The mazes - while they can get a bit repetitive they aren't endlessly long like some games. As you progress into a new cave/maze/challenge expect about 1 hour worth of exploring before you reach the main boss.

- Game length - it took me almost 43 hours to beat the game... and that (I feel) is a pretty quick time.... I didn't do a lot of "Extra" exploring.

- Extras- There is a nice variety of weapon add-ons as you progress through the game. While it isn't up to the level of Baldurs Gate, it does add to the game play.

- Cut Scenes- Shadowhearts 2 plays like it is a movie, which adds a little extra interest, but some of the cut scenes can last over 10 minutes! At some point I just want to get back to the hacking.

- The game is rated "Teen" but I am not really sure why. Often times you wonder why a game is rated "M", but the opposite is at play here... you wonder how the game could only be rated "T".

- The game has many dark elements to it... and I have to admit I wasn't overly keen playing as a evil demon... but I got over it.

All-in-All Shadowhearts is a VERY engrossing and addicting game. There is plenty to keep even the most experienced gamers busy for hours! I would also recommend the Dark Cloud (and Kingdom Hearts) to anyone who enjoys it (and vice versa).

Oh no..

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 3 / 20
Date: July 02, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game a few months ago and have tried to play it three times and each time I couldn't get past the first training level, not because it was difficult but because I was bored out of my skull waiting for videos and the combat engine to load. The intro was great but it took to long to get the game started. My main problem with this game is the combat engine. I hate to get into a game and then stop every few seconds for the combat engine to load and then do turn based fighting using the 'wheel of fortune'. For me a game has to be smooth with as little as possible unnecessary breaks. Not my kind of game.

best game in the world

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 4
Date: November 15, 2005
Author: Amazon User

it is got a pretty good storyline and you get to transform into demons and stuff like that using the main chracter Yuri .there is a bit of a love triangle between Karin,Yuri and Alice[yuri"s dead girlfriend in shadow hearts one

made by nicky roma

Yes. As one reviewer said: Surprisingly good!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 3
Date: October 20, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I've played Final Fantasy, the one with the 3 girlz. It was okay, just started but haven't finished. It looks really complex and the battle system is a bit fast for me.

I've also played Shadowhearts I, it was entertaining yet mediocre. But this one I started about 40+ hours ago and I can't stop playing! Maybe it's because I have the FAQ and was trying to follow all the secrets and goodies in the game. One thing's for sure, without the FAQ, I would be TOTALLY lost on what to do. Some sidequest missions are insane, especially the one in the cave, with all the moving blocks. Oy vey!

Anyway, if you're into RPG [which I'm actually not], I think you might like this. Give it a try. And there are enough characters, a total of 8, to choose from!!! I think I'm gonna get the 3rd installment soon. It may not be the same, but I do like the Judgement Ring, battle system.

Toodles!

The light at the end of the tunnel

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 23, 2005
Author: Amazon User

As another dry year for RPGs closed, especially with the lack of good material for Square Enix, one game stands out as a shining beacon: Shadow Hearts II: Covenant. I had never even heard of the series until the day I bought the game, but I was incredibly glad I did. Not only was each of the characters interesting in their own way, but the overall plot of the game was facinating. It was a lot of fun playing in real areas of the world against historical figures such as Rasputin. The battle system was brilliant, much better than those being created today for games like Xenosaga II. To top that off, most of the minigames were quite fun and the rewards were well worth it. This game is of medium length (30 - 40 hrs.) You will really get involved in the story and just have a great time. Unlike most RPGs, this game doesn't get old, and has great replay value. Enjoy!

A good take on the classic RPG formula

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 28, 2005
Author: Amazon User

"Shadow Hearts: Covenant" is an RPG that is turn based. However, the "Ring of Judgment" a spinning reel that requires coordination to operate, adds a real-time element to battle.

Despite the name, the game's music and characters are not as dark as I thought they would be. Also, Midway being the makers of Mortal Kombat, I was suspecting a slightly different ambiance. However, I'm glad they did the game the way they did.

As usual in an RPG, you throw together a crew of unusual people (everything from a German Kaiser soldier to a professional wrestling vampire) and they go on a journey to prevent chaos from ensuing upon the earth.

You must strengthen the characters with equipment, skills, and leveling up. The heroes chase a sequence of monsters throughout early 20th century Europe. The game has some enjoyable comic moments, which is not as common in RPGs as with some other types of games.

I would recommend this game.

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