Shadow Hearts: Covenant
by Midway Entertainment
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Video Game Reviews of Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Customer Review: Looking for an all around balanced game....BINGO!
Summary: 5 Stars
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.Customer Review: A good take on the classic RPG formula
Summary: 4 Stars
"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.
Customer Review: My most favorite RPG series!
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Customer Review: I've gotta play it again!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to preface this review by saying that although I've been a gamer for about 20 years, SHC is the first RPG I've ever played. That being the case, I can't compare it with other RPG titles, but on the other hand I can't imagine another game being any better than this. The graphics and cutscenes are gorgeous; the characters are interesting and unique; the combat system has a nice balance between strategy and finger dexterity; the story is epic and immensely engaging; the voice acting is top-notch - I could go on and on singing the praises of SHC.
This is also a game that doesn't take itself too seriously. Despite the dark scenarios you encounter (heck, it's set during World War I) the writers always know when to throw in some off-the-wall humor, and at times this game had me laughing out loud.
My only complaint is with the conclusion. I won't give anything away, but I think I would have appreciated the ending more if I had played the first Shadow Hearts game. Nevertheless, this is a truly entertaining way to spend 40 or 50 hours. (I've just completed the game at 45 hours and now I'm itching to go back and work on the side quests I missed).
If you're a fan of the genre, or if you're someone looking to try out an RPG but don't know where to start (like I was), I would highly recommend Shadow Hearts: Covenant. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Customer Review: Compelling and addictive RPG since FF X
Summary: 5 Stars
The Shadow Hearts series is a real alternative type of RPG that makes itself stands out from other RPGs in the market. The first one got the unfortunate fate with a close launch with Final Fantasy X, so it got sunk to the bottom. Nonetheless, this doesn't discouraged Midway and Azure to roll out the second instalment of the Shadow Hearts
Covenant's event happened 6 months after the first game when Yuri the ill fated hero decided to move into a peaceful life in a small country village. Nonetheless, with the outbreak of World War I, no place is safe and peaceful. Thus he was forced into fight to protect this small village from German invasion, which eventually led him back into arms.
The character designs are much better this time round with each of the character having their own personality that actually shows up in the story. An old puppeteer whose puppet is a mirror image of his late daughter, a German official, a gay vampire wrestler, a spoiled and adventurous Russian princess, a single hearted samurai, a tarot card reader and a white wolf. They together formed a very unique party one had ever seen in a RPG. Their abilities also hovered around their nature. Abilities like Marionette, Tarot Cards, Aromatherapy, Muscle skills etc. are very well thought of and designed. They also exhibit different types of attribute that makes the formation of your favourite team a very enjoyable experience.
The judgement ring system is back but much better. The judgement ring is a dial that appears with every single command that you use, no matter it is attack, ability, magic or item. You have to hit certain required areas to make the move successful. The last game has the flaw of being too difficult to use a lack of customisation. But in this game you can customise the ring with a lot of flexibility, be it enlarging strike (critical hit) or hit areas, increasing the number of hit areas, slowing down the indicator or add on more status effects with attacks. This makes the game more enjoyable for a lot of people. You also have the choice of auto ring, although it trades of the damage you can do to you enemies.
The side quests are interesting and they actually enriched the story of each character. The downside is most side quests are not available until the end of the game. However, that makes up with the difficulty of the bosses associated with these quests. The game also makes fun of the game itself and thus put more personality inside the game itself. The story of the Ring Soul is one of them. Nonetheless, the game has a lot of homosexual elements in it, which further takes the game out of normal RPG conventions. So probably might not be suitable for under age kids to play it and at least teenage about 15 would be recommended to venture into this game.
The story is engrossing though still quite fall into most RPG story conventions. The cut scenes are very well done and could rival every single Final Fantasy game in the market. The best part is when you finished the game once, you are rewarded with the theatre mode where you can watch all the movies and semi-movies again without going through the whole game again.
Shadow Hearts: Covenant really stands out as an outstanding RPG and for gamers who are eagerly waiting for FF XII to come out. Covenant could well quench your thirst with a lot of joy.