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Lets talk about the Shadow Hearts series

R

Reilly

Member
so, I just got done playing the demo for the new one coming out and wow was I impressed. I feel like such an asshole for skipping the first two. Johnny reminds me of Tidus though :/

A few questions

1. I know they were never hot sellers, but were any of them Greatest Hits? (I don't want any suprises from Ebayers)

2. Lenght of the games?

3. Where would you rate these RPG's amoung the PS2's other RPG games? (specifically, the SMY series)

A few comments

People on eBay that are selling the first one NEW need to eat shit if they think I'm paying $150 for it.
 
I personally liked the first Shadow Hearts better than FFX. Found it a year ago for 20 on ebay new. I forget how long it took me to beat it but I know it wasn't mega long for an RPG but wasnt t oo short either.

One of the few games in my 161 game collection that compelled me to beat it from day one.
 
I really enjoyed the previous installments in this series, but the demo certainly left a bad taste in my mouth.

The music was... completely unbearable, the main character is a carbon copy of Tidus, and well, the my demo cuts to the title screen after about five minutes so I can't really play it much anyway.

I also REALLY dislike the weapons available in the demo. This makes a difference to me.
 
Yeah the first Shadow Hearts is fantastic, although you can beat the game and finish the scant amount of sidequests in under 30 hours easily. I have Covenant, but I haven't played it yet. Is it better/worse/on par with the original?
 
I know ex-sqauresoft employees worked on the games but I read somewhere some ex-SNK guys worked for Sacnoth too. That really sealed the deal for me!
 
jng9685 said:
Yeah the first Shadow Hearts is fantastic, although you can beat the game and finish the scant amount of sidequests in under 30 hours easily. I have Covenant, but I haven't played it yet. Is it better/worse/on par with the original?
Click to expand...

Covenant is about 28x better than the first game in every way.
 
I thought Covenant was borderline awful. It shouldve and couldve ended on the first disc.

EDIT:
Actually, I meant the Rasputin fight. I completely forgot what's-his-name had the demon thing to deal with.

But Karen was his MOM. That is worse than Yuki/Miranda in every fucking way.
 
My general problem with the games is that there is NOTHING to do outside of the main quest (some trivial fluff). And unlike something like Grandia, the battle system is NOT good enough to play just for playings sake.
 
There's no Greatest Hits versions, but the copies of the 1st they gave away with Covenant preorders has "Not for Resale" or something to that effect on the cover.
 
My Arms Your Hearse said:
My general problem with the games is that there is NOTHING to do outside of the main quest (some trivial fluff). And unlike something like Grandia, the battle system is NOT good enough to play just for playings sake.
Click to expand...

What.....?

Shadow Hearts 1/2/3 have more sidequests than almost every rpg series out there. It's like the good FF games where there are all kinds of optional quests to go on and optional stories to see. Ultimate weapons, hidden summons, etc...

And I don't get complaints about the battle system either. It's not as good as Grandia but it's still up there with SMT/DDS as the best turn-based system.
 
segatavis said:
There's no Greatest Hits versions, but the copies of the 1st they gave away with Covenant preorders has "Not for Resale" or something to that effect on the cover.
Click to expand...


thanks
 
Shadow Hearts 1 is amazing. The storyline is just incredible and the setting is really unmatched. It's my second favorite RPG this generation.

Shadow Hearts 2 is really good. Not as good as #1, but still really good.
 
I bought my ps2 when FFX came out and it came with some racing game (Gran tourismo?) that I switched out for Shadow Hearts. I loved it, I guess it was the setting.
 
THe games are one of the best new rpg series to come out of this gen. If you can look past the ugly graphics, the first SH is a damn good game, with real world setting that isn't used very often. With all the sidequests, you can finish it in about 30 hours. The second one is a true masterpiece in my opinion; in some ways I'm glad I lost my main memory card so now I can play through it again without being tempted to load up my old save.
 
Great series, part one is around 20-25 hours while part 2 will hit around the 40 mark if I remember correctly. Part 2 is an awesome game, very cinematic, solid voice acting and story-telling, etc. etc. etc... BUT, part 1 has a better cast and a cooler story/atmosphere.

For the record, I bought part 1 years ago for 13.99 at EB.
 
Bebpo said:
What.....?

Shadow Hearts 1/2/3 have more sidequests than almost every rpg series out there. It's like the good FF games where there are all kinds of optional quests to go on and optional stories to see. Ultimate weapons, hidden summons, etc...

And I don't get complaints about the battle system either. It's not as good as Grandia but it's still up there with SMT/DDS as the best turn-based system.
Click to expand...

Seriously, what sidequests? I'm sorry, I must have completely missed them.

Going to locker #3 and finding a mini-japanese skyscraper for a weapon isn't a sidequest.

Completely laughable to compare it to the PS+ FFs with regard to sidequest... of which there are many more, and are each far more substantive.

It has been awhile since I've played them, so perhaps I've simply forgotten, but I pretty much recall a "play the story arc and I'm done" experience. Some minimal tasks for some weapons. I remember some annoying sequence to get some sub weapon for Joachim in Covenant, for example, but not something I would consider a "sidequest."

I don't recall whether or not the final transformations and such are integrated into the storyline or if they must be sought out. Maybe I'm mistaken... that is how I remember it though.
 
I don't know how exactly to explain it, but Shadow Hearts has replaced any inpulse I had to play Final Fantasy games. I think everything I would want to get out of a FF game, I can get from SH in a more appeaing fashion. The Judgment Ring seals the deal.
 
I think everything I would want to get out of a FF game, I can get from SH in a more appeaing fashion.
Click to expand...

Yeah no. I love the ring system, but it was literally the only reason I continued playing Covenant to the end. The storytelling, plot, and dialogue in SH are even more awkward and confusing than anything seen in any FF ever.

And there's just wayyyy too much homoerotic "wink wink" in SH. We get it, either admit the guy is gay or not.
 
KDups said:
Yeah no. I love the ring system, but it was literally the only reason I continued playing Covenant to the end. The storytelling, plot, and dialogue in SH are even more awkward and confusing than anything seen in any FF ever.

And there's just wayyyy too much homoerotic "wink wink" in SH. We get it, either admit the guy is gay or not.
Click to expand...

Who, Yuri? What makes everyone insinuate that Yuri is gay? He spent the majority of his SH2 story
trying to bring Alice back.

I think the awkwardness and absurdity of a lot of SH is what makes it more appealing. I don't think it's confusing, though.
 
The first hasd something you don't rarely see (if ever) a mix of horror elements in RPH's, which was done good too, so not some little crappy attempt to put it in plot. (never played Koudelka though)

But second added more lenght as the first was unfortunately short and some good additions to gameplay, plus also the real world relevanche Shadow hearts had and remains to have.

To me only downside is they scratched the horror element unfortunately, but very good gameplay and decent story.
 
The first has something you don't rarely see (if ever) a mix of horror elements in RPG's, which was done good too, so not some little crappy attempt to put it in plot. (never played Koudelka though)

But second added more lenght as the first was unfortunately short and some good additions to gameplay as well, plus also the real world relevanche Shadow hearts had and remains to have.

To me only downside is they scratched the horror element unfortunately, but very good gameplay and decent story.
 
My Arms Your Hearse said:
Seriously, what sidequests? I'm sorry, I must have completely missed them.

Going to locker #3 and finding a mini-japanese skyscraper for a weapon isn't a sidequest.

Completely laughable to compare it to the PS+ FFs with regard to sidequest... of which there are many more, and are each far more substantive.

It has been awhile since I've played them, so perhaps I've simply forgotten, but I pretty much recall a "play the story arc and I'm done" experience. Some minimal tasks for some weapons. I remember some annoying sequence to get some sub weapon for Joachim in Covenant, for example, but not something I would consider a "sidequest."

I don't recall whether or not the final transformations and such are integrated into the storyline or if they must be sought out. Maybe I'm mistaken... that is how I remember it though.
Click to expand...

SH2 had 6 or 7 BONUS OPTIONAL DUNGEONS. One for each character to get their ultimate weapon and then there was were several optional hidden fusions.

I'll just put it this way. In SH1 I reached the final dungeon in 16 hours. I then went and did the optional sidequest and beat it around 22 hours. In SH2 I reached the final dungeon around 35 hours. I then did the optional sidequests and beat it around 50 hours. In SH3 I got to the end around 27 hours and then did the optional stuff and beat it around 33 hours. SH3 has the least amount of optional sidestuff because it's integrated into the main plot, but in SH1 & 2 a good 1/5th of the game or so was completely optional with hidden dungeons, weapons, fusions.
 
Reilly said:
well, I really want a new copy. I'm not gonna buy a used one unless I can't find any for less than $50.
Click to expand...

I picked up a sealed copy of Shadow Hearts Covenant for $12 on clearance. As for the original Shadow Hearts, I had a bitch of a time tracking one down. I eventually got a used copy at Gamestop for $25 in December, but I had to search for about a month until one popped up on their online inventory charts you can use on their website.

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=938299

Copies of the first SH on Half.com range from a $40 copy missing the manual, to $75 intact used copies and $150-$200 for sealed copies.
 
distantmantra said:
Copies of the first SH on Half.com range from a $40 copy missing the manual, to $75 intact used copies and $150-$200 for sealed copies.
Click to expand...

What the hell? And, did I just imagine that SH1 would be a preorder bonus for SH3 (like it was for SH2), but it doesn't seem to be the case anymore going by Gamestop and EB's listings. :(
 
distantmantra said:
I picked up a sealed copy of Shadow Hearts Covenant for $12 on clearance. As for the original Shadow Hearts, I had a bitch of a time tracking one down. I eventually got a used copy at Gamestop for $25 in December, but I had to search for about a month until one popped up on their online inventory charts you can use on their website.

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=938299

Copies of the first SH on Half.com range from a $40 copy missing the manual, to $75 intact used copies and $150-$200 for sealed copies.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I'm probaly going to have to go used. I'm gonna check around a couple local trade-in stores first though.
 
Order Number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Order Date: 1/24/2006 Shipping Type: USA Ground




Shadow Hearts Game Inet 1 $0.00 Back Ordered
Shadow Hearts: From the New World 1 $39.99 Pre-Release
ETA: 3/7/2006


Sub-Total $39.99
$3.55 Tax (Why do we charge tax?)
$2.99 Handling: (No additional shipping fee)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total $46.53 (Billed When Shipped)

------------

suck it down losers! you could've gotten shadow hearts 1 free with From the new world if you were quick draw mcgraw like me! champion of the world!!
 
My Arms Your Hearse said:
Seriously, what sidequests? I'm sorry, I must have completely missed them.
Click to expand...

Clearly so, since the games include the most side-quests in any RPG game I've ever played. SH2 allowed you to branch off into separate story/events to max out each of your character's special abilities, which meant going to new areas/dungeons to uncover items. Sounds like you didn't even bother to do anything aside from the main quests, since, especially in SH2, they virtually slap you right in the face during the main game.

One of the best RPG franchisers around. Felt fresh and a very unique experience compared to your typical 'stuck in the fantasy era, let's rip off Final Fantasy' games. This and the Shin Megami Tensei series are probably the best RPGs for the console, since there's a massive stand-out in terms of originality compared to other games on the market - especially the PS2 market.
 
FrenchMovieTheme said:
suck it down losers! you could've gotten shadow hearts 1 free with From the new world if you were quick draw mcgraw like me! champion of the world!!
Click to expand...


I want an original print.
 
FrenchMovieTheme said:
my bad. forgot GAF doesn't play games, they collect them. red bar of shame, not for resale ridiculousness, "best seller" bullshit!

i play games, not collect them!
Click to expand...


enjoy your reprint :)
 
FrenchMovieTheme said:
Order Number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Order Date: 1/24/2006 Shipping Type: USA Ground




Shadow Hearts Game Inet 1 $0.00 Back Ordered
Shadow Hearts: From the New World 1 $39.99 Pre-Release
ETA: 3/7/2006


Sub-Total $39.99
$3.55 Tax (Why do we charge tax?)
$2.99 Handling: (No additional shipping fee)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total $46.53 (Billed When Shipped)

------------

suck it down losers! you could've gotten shadow hearts 1 free with From the new world if you were quick draw mcgraw like me! champion of the world!!
Click to expand...

OK, good. I didn't just imagine that. But, damn, too bad they aren't offering that anymore. I'll still pre-order at a B&M store anyway, just in case.
 
No.1 said:
Clearly so, since the games include the most side-quests in any RPG game I've ever played. SH2 allowed you to branch off into separate story/events to max out each of your character's special abilities, which meant going to new areas/dungeons to uncover items. Sounds like you didn't even bother to do anything aside from the main quests, since, especially in SH2, they virtually slap you right in the face during the main game.

One of the best RPG franchisers around. Felt fresh and a very unique experience compared to your typical 'stuck in the fantasy era, let's rip off Final Fantasy' games. This and the Shin Megami Tensei series are probably the best RPGs for the console, since there's a massive stand-out in terms of originality compared to other games on the market - especially the PS2 market.
Click to expand...

I agree 100%.

SH1 is quite good (good story, fantastic atmosphere, awesome music), but SH2 is, in my opinion, way better. Really good and EMOTIONAL story, awesome presentation, good dungeons, good battle system, nice music, it looks pretty, it's incredible funny and it has tons of enjoyable sidequests. And it's an EXTREMELY charming game, I never meet so much likeable characters before. Anastasia is so cute, Joachim is hilarious, Snowball... erhm... I mean Blanca has many cool cutscenes (especially in Yokohama, where he meets this young girl (don't remember her name), Karin has such a good heart. And Yuri (aka
Godslayer
) is fucking awesome. Best main character of all time.
 
Diablos said:
I've heard so much about this game, I don't know what to think.
Click to expand...

You think it's the rpg you want to play after KH2 and before FFXII comes out in the US :P

I think you'd like it judging by your rpg tastes in other threads. It's very close to FF but with its own unique spin. Don't start with #3 though because it's not all that good. Either start with #1 (short <20 hour rpg) and then play #2 or read a quick summary of #1 and just start with #2.
 
Reilly said:
so, I just got done playing the demo for the new one coming out and wow was I impressed. I feel like such an asshole for skipping the first two. Johnny reminds me of Tidus though :/

A few questions

1. I know they were never hot sellers, but were any of them Greatest Hits? (I don't want any suprises from Ebayers)
Click to expand...

In Japan, SH and SH2 have "PS2 The Best" versions (SH can be considered to have 2, one is first release and then a debug release) in which SH2 re-release is also known as SH2 Director's Cut.

In other region, there is no Greatest Hits/Platinum release.

Reilly said:
2. Lenght of the games?
Click to expand...

For main quests, SH1 I suppose about 20 hours, I think SH2 about the same, SH3 is quite a bit shorter, I think around 12-13 hours.

For the amount of side quests : SH3 > SH2 > SH1, SH3 seems to be more about side quests than main quests, ha ha !

edit: wondering why my numbers are like an opposite of Bebpo's, heh ! My memory ?!!

Reilly said:
3. Where would you rate these RPG's amoung the PS2's other RPG games? (specifically, the SMY series)
Click to expand...

To me, SH2 > FF/SMT series.
 
Himuro said:
I think they're pretty average, if not awful games. Very boring and feel totally uninspired.
Click to expand...

What constitutes INSPIRED then?

Shadow Hearts has ->

1. Totally innovative, and genuinely FUN, battle system
2. A storyline that is totally different than typical JRPG flare. Yes, I'd even say... INSPRIED. Usually set in early 20th century, has you meeting famous figures and figuring out how they factor into the storyline
3. Flamboyantly Gay Shopkeepers!

I'm sorry, sir, I think you have used the wrong words to describe this game!
 
My Arms Your Hearse said:
My general problem with the games is that there is NOTHING to do outside of the main quest (some trivial fluff). And unlike something like Grandia, the battle system is NOT good enough to play just for playings sake.
Click to expand...

I haven't gotten around to playing the first one, only watch an ex girlfriend play it for a few hours... but I absolutely loved 2 (second favorite RPG this gen) - from what I remember, it has:

-Completing King Solomon's puzzle and
defeating King Solomon, the oblig super powerful boss
-Completing King Solomon's battle trials
-New dungeons:
the doll house, the lower levels of the Neam ruins, the inner sanctum of St Margurite Island, the branching forest path
-The Man festival
-Tracking down all the wolves for Blanca to battle
-Finding all of Joachim's weapons
-Alternate costumes for the characters

This is one of the few games I did *EVERYTHING* in - right down to finishing King Solomon's puzzle... took me about 55 hours total, though I made it into the end dungeon in 35 or so hours. Of course, I was so overpowered I beat the boss by using one overpowered combo and lots of 5th/7th keys, but still... =]

I'm gonna play SH1 after I finally finish DQ8 and before SH3. But even with Bebpo's and others negative reviews, I still want to play SH3. Love the whole concept of the Judgement Ring system (even better is in 2, where you can make slight customizations to your characters' rings), the goofy humor, the alternate history settings (such an improvement over generic feudal fantasy world with technology from an ancient race who disappeared mysteriously), and hell I even enjoyed the music.
 
I never did finish Solomon's puzzle. I was missing, like, 4 runes (or whatever they're called) by the end of the game -- which is getting into "needle in a haystack" territory. :( I had already put over 60 hours in to the game by this point and revisited areas several times each, so I was in no mood to keep searching for them. I did finish the last Solomon's Trial with an
insta-kill technique I forgot I had until the stupid thing dropped dead from a physical attack
. That was amusing.

SH2 is also one of the few games I felt inclined to actually do all the side quests in. Just didn't want the party to end.
 
I'm still pissed that I never got the second game. I thought the first was very good, and when the second came around(and dropped in price), I just had too much to do. I assumed I could just pick it up whenever I wanted it.


I were wrong.
 
As much good as I hear about this game, I just can't see myself picking it up off the shelf at EB. Damn my tightness
 
Attack You said:
SH2 is also one of the few games I felt inclined to actually do all the side quests in. Just didn't want the party to end.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I can't think of another rpg where I've done everything optional 100%. Heck I even played through SH2 a second time when the Directors Cut came out and put another 40 or so hours into it.

My favorite rpg this gen by far.

Would be nice if they made a SH4 and spent a few years developing it so it would be long and awesome like SH2 and quick budget title like SH3.
 
Himuro said:
Something interesting = inspired, something boring and lame as hell = uninspired to me. In which case, Shadow Hearts games take the cake.
Click to expand...

Seems inspired. Himuro wrong again. News at 11 :(
 
Reilly said:
well, I really want a new copy. I'm not gonna buy a used one unless I can't find any for less than $50.
Click to expand...

I'd check around, they're out there somewhere because it was cheap at EB for the longest time, and there were preorder deals where you actually got the game for free at certain retailers. I know a friend of mine found it cheap at EB not more than 6 months ago.
 
First off, I think SH:C is probably the best RPG on the PS2 outside of the SMT series (as I haven't played those at all) and therefore best RPG of this gen. I know it's saying a lot but I absolutely loved every part. From the sympathy you eventually feel for Kato, to Nicolai and Rasputin arguing:
"He didn't just defeat that demon. He overpowered him and now controls him!"

I loved the campy humor in the entire game. Laughed my ass off at the Man Festival, too... particularly Yuri's reaction when he's told what the loser of the Grand Finale has to do. :lol

First one was good, too. I played it before it got any real popularity here in the US, of any sort. I actually went and rented it the moment after I read EGM's review saying "The best RPG you've never heard of."

I'm worried about the third one though. I don't know whether to buy it immediately or wait until I get some more reviews on it. Right now my choice is between going and getting DQ8 or waiting a week and getting SH3. I just don't know which would be the better game.

OH, and for those of you wondering, my Gamestop has SH:C marked at 20 bucks brand new.
 
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