Shadow Hearts: Covenant

The Shadow Hearts series has been gaining ground in the world of video games lately, mainly with the latest addition of Shadow Hearts: From the New World. I remember I had never even heard of Shadow Hearts a few years ago, until a friend of mine pointed me in the direction of it. I recieved Shadow Hearts: Covenant as a Christmas gift from a friend in 2004, and not knowing what to expect, I played it. I was very glad I decided to try it, as Shadow Hearts: Covenant is easily one of the best RPGs for the Playstation 2, and is probably one of the most overlooked games for the Playstation 2.

The story for Shadow Hearts: Covenant takes place after the first Shadow Hearts game. It takes place a couple of years after the events of Shadow Hearts. The main character from the first game, Yuri Hyuga, is back as the main character again. He picks up his life in a small town called Domremy, in which he's protecting. I can't really go into too much detail without spoiling the major events in the fi...

THE GOOD:
Interesting storyline
Great characters
Excellent battle system
Somewhat addicting
Great scenery
Some funny scenes

THE BAD:
It's not set in a fictional world as such (which may disappoint some FF fans)
Linear playing

SUMMARY:
It's a good change from your everyday "in a mystical world with mystical this and mystical that" game. It's set in somewhat of our own world, starting in Germany. Although this is a good thing. It still has that fantasy element that gamers look for as well, which is why is feels like many other games mixed together.

To me, it's a "final fantasy meets castlevania meets history class" type game. It's very historical, has somewhat of a religious feel like castlevania (vatican, demons and the like) and it has that mystical feel of a final fantasy game. It has some humor in it as well, which I love. I spent many a times laughing at this one.

The characters have their own personalities and do a great job with the storyline, and they have some references to literature and...

THE GOOD:
- Turnbased RPG
- Excellent graphics and music in backgrounds
- Historical basis in some cases
- Interesting characters with a variety of backgrounds
- More "real-life" feel
- Deep and twisting storyline
- Judgement Ring leaves little to chance
- Multiple forms of magic
- Characters have personalized abilities
- Combo attacks are complicated, but interesting

THE BAD:
- Characters seem a little overflashy
- Some people may have problems with flamboyant homosexuality
- "anime" additions unnesessary
- cutscenes amazingly long
- transfer and change in storyline takes a great deal of time
- repetitive
- some grinding tends to be involved at points in the game
- shattering glass audio is extremely annoying

SUMMARY:
Shadow Hearts: Covenant was one of the first PS2 RPGs I ever played, as I prefer the PC type of that genre to consoles. However, this game definitely managed to make up for the difference from my usual preferences, although not in the ways you may expect.

Unlike some RPGs out there, with...

THE GOOD:
item descriptions, character/monster index, save plus files, ring customization much more in-depth compared to acupuncture of the original, mature themes appealing to the modern aging game audience

THE BAD:
lame map system, player is given the tools to create an incredibly powerful party but bosses die before being able to dish out any punishment

SUMMARY:
As a rabid fan of the first Shadow Hearts, one may expect me to be heavily biased in its sequel's favor. However, the exact opposite was the case. I was both terrified that a direct sequel would defile Shadow Hearts' perfection, and convinced that the game's plotline didn't leave room for a continuation, leading me to expect Covenant's story to feel tacked on and hollow. I went in an unfair skeptic, and I still came out an unwavering advocate.

The story starts a little slow, but when it picks up steam, it weaves into a glorious gothic opera. For the most part, it stays in bounds of the standard save-the-world fantasy RPG archet...

The updated and good things about SH: C as follows...

1. Newly updated judgement ring system. For each character, you have the power of customizing the numbers of attack area using the attack boost you obtained while playing the game. As for the hit area, and strike area, you can expand them via usage of hit area item, and strike area expand item. Not only that, the new judgement ring allow players to choose between simple ring style, normal ring style, technical ring style, etc. Players may choose the desired style according how proficient they are in pressing the hit area/ strike area.

2. A lot of new fusion monsters available for Yuri. To upgrade the elemental fusion monsters to Grade 3, players need to find soul drops. Amon is not an optional fusion monster, however Neo Amon is. Seraphic Radiance which is also an optional fusion monster, is the most powerful fusion monster for Yuri and it is known as Dark Seraphim in SH: C.

3. No more mask, fox face, or some really annoying fiend ...

THE GOOD:
*Characters
*Story
*Voice Acting
*Graphics
*Abilities
*Battle System

THE BAD:
*Lips on FMV's
*Way too easy

SUMMARY:
This is truly one of the greatest RPG's to date. It has it all. Shadow hearts 1 was a good game but I never though Covanant would be this much better.

Story - Firsly the story is something that really deserves a praise. Rasputin is a enemy which I actually hated and really wanted to defeat. I dont get that much in RPG's. The story flowed and was never drawn out.

Characters - Each Character had different and complex backgrounds. Yuri, the protagonist, makes a return and he is as Bad-Ass as ever. There are even some other characters that make a return from Shadow Hearts 1.

Battle System - It was amazing. Different types of attacks, combos, personal abilities, magic and the Judgement ring. Battle systems dont get any better than this. If only the battles were a challenge.

Conclusion - Great game is all aspects. Its one of those games that deserve to be played by everyone o...

THE GOOD:
.:Graphics:.
.:Voice Acting:.
.:Locations:.
.:Music:.
.:Side Quests:.
.:Characters:.

THE BAD:
Don't play when over-tired

SUMMARY:
Shadow Hearts: Covenant is a wonderful walk through the early 20th centuary based in Europe and Asia.

You play as Yuri Hyuga, the anti-hero and protagonist of the story. He is joined by others as he fights to find a way to make a life for himself in the world without his love. Inflicted with a magical curse, will his time run out before he can unravel why he was targetted?

The Judgement Ring system returns and is better than ever. A new customisable option allows the player to determine how many attacks a character can perform in a single turn and how big the attack and strike areas are.

The cast of characters are unique and colourful, from a spiritual wolf to a dancing gypsy tarot reader. Everyone is fleshed out in their backgrounds and the voices to go with them fit perfectly.

The numerous side-quests will keep the player inspired and wanting more, as the...

THE GOOD:
-Graphics.
-Music.
-Battle System.
-Customization.
-Storyline.

THE BAD:
-Linear traveling.
-Battles/Bosses are way too easy.

SUMMARY:
Shadow Hearts: Covenant is definitely a great RPG game, but, it's got some major flaws. For someone that's just picking up the game, you're going to find this to be very easy, even if you have no past experience with the game. Puzzles lacking any real challenge, as well as the battles you participate in.

The script of the game is sometimes very plain, or very irrelevant. Some good changes could have been made for it to make more sense. The game is two discs, but, you'll find yourself in the second disc in about 15-16 hours of playing. This game might make for a better rent than to buy, so, if you're looking for a game to keep for a good week, and complete, this one would be perfect..

THE GOOD:
Storyline, Combat system, cool fusions, characters

THE BAD:
Too easy.

SUMMARY:
Don't get me wrong, this game had some awesome stuff going for it. The characters were WONDERFUL. I loved Joachim and Gepetto, the judgement ring system was great, the storyline was interesting... But if theres one thing i absolutely hate about RPGs nowadays, is the difficulty level.

Its too easy. I could have solo'd the ENTIRE game, without ANY problem, possibly without dying a SINGLE time, with just Yuri. Yuri with his fusions make him a powerhouse, nothing can stand in his way with a decked out Earth fusion. This completely turned me off and all but ruined the game for me. Being able to obliterate a boss in a couple turns is entirely lame.

I would suggest to someone thats in the mood for a lite RPG, it was a good run, but very short and not challenging in the slightest.

THE GOOD:
Amazing graphics and Cinemas
Unique characters
Very unique and fun combat system
One of the best stories in any RPG you'll find
Plenty of length
Lots of items and some side quest to find
Awesome enemies, especially bosses

THE BAD:
There really isn't anything bad about this game to a fan of RPGs.

SUMMARY:
This game rivals FF in production value and storytelling along with unique and engaging characters. Some humor in the dialogue and even the main story. You haven't been this close to a character since Cloud in FF VII, theres that much to Yuri. The story is simply amazing and keeps you playing to find out whats going to happen next. And its not just your standard 'save the world' RPG story, there is plenty of stuff going on with each character and a lot of other motives for why each character are what they are. Adds nicely to the story from the first Shadow Hearts too and not only ties up a few loose strings, but adds some elements to the story from the first game you probably wouldn'...