Shadow Hearts: From The New World (PS2) Screens

[RainOfTerror]

Shadow Hearts: From The New World, 3rd installment in the RPG series, takes place in the United States during the Great Depression. Featuring a gripping and inspirational storyline with up to 60 hours of gameplay, players can expect to run into a unique set of characters at famous, real-world locations including Chicago, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and New York.

The story begins as Johnny Garland, a young, 16-year old detective who lost his father, sister and his memory in an accident, accepts an investigation to track down a criminal suspect who escaped from custody. As he closes in on the suspect, Johnny witnesses a supernatural occurrence -- a huge monster appears from a green light known as the "window" and swallows up the criminal. Apparently, a series of horrific incidents similar to this have been plaguing the cities across the nation. Johnny's female counterpart is 21-year-old bounty hunter Shania, a Native American who is searching for these mysterious windows and determined to fight them using her spiritual powers. Together, they travel around the states and are joined by other characters.Check out 23 new Shadow Hearts: From The New World screens (http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=28494) over at WorthPlaying.

[Vandenh]

Oh god... generic J-RPG warning!

[emperordahc]

*Scratches head* Isn't this a bit odd for a Shadow Hearts setting? I'm not used to RPGs with old pickup trucks in the background...

[Kelegacy]

Oh god... generic J-RPG warning!

You obviously havent played the Shadow Hearts series, but continue growling from under the bridge if you want.

[alienchild]

I haven't played any but the original Shadow Hearts, but not playing the sequel is more because of not having time than anything else. The original was an Final Fantasy killer for me, it beat most FF games I've played hands down, no competition. Reason? It was a lot more mature and funny, with an evolving story that you actually cared about. What it lacked though was the sad moments that you often find in FF, which I really dig, but hopefully Shadow Hearts 2 remedied that.

[PantherModern]

I'm several hours into SH: Covenant, and it is the same type of refined, mature story as the first, which I also was a huge fan of. I mostly loved the European setting and the modern clothes and weapons. I initially played SH1 to stave off waiting for FFX, and, ultimately, found it to be a better and more engaging game. SH: Convenant sports a MUCH improved battle system and superior graphics, so it will be interesting to see if they further refine their formula for this go round.

[frederec]

*Scratches head* Isn't this a bit odd for a Shadow Hearts setting? I'm not used to RPGs with old pickup trucks in the background...

The only odd thing about the setting is how it seems to be focused on the US. The other two games were based in early 20th century (around WWI) Europe and Asia. Very good games. I got them both since they gave away the first one free if you preordered the second one. Both very good. They have a strange contrast between a dark story and totally nutcase character designs.

And it reminds me of these:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php?date=2004-10-04
http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php?date=2004-10-13
Can't wait for this to come out.

[Rakael]

I never finished the first and didn't play the second at all. It wasn't due to lack of interest, but more a lack of time. I think I'll pick the first two up and play through em. I really liked what little I got to play.

[Kelegacy]

I believe the second was better than the first. THe first had a good, mature plot, but there was a bit too much quirky dialogue and humor. Still, i enjoyed it and beat the hell out of it...with the GOOD ending. Getting the good ending takes a bit of footwork, though.

I never played through Koudelka, but that game was the prequel to the Shadow Hearts series. Koudelka's son is in Shadow Hearts, the orphan boy. Roger Bacon is here too, in two incarnations...or actually one Bacon but another who assumed the name.

[Raziel]

The giant smiling cat scares the hell outta me. Where does that fit in the good and mature plot? ;)

[Kefkataran]

The giant smiling cat scares the hell outta me. Where does that fit in the good and mature plot?

Yeah, totally. Mature plots aren't based on actual content but on the appearance of the characters/objects within the story. Any one knows that. So what's the fucking deal with that cat?

[Raziel]

Sorry a giant, talking (assumption here) cat is a bit extreme; even if it is quoting Shakespeare it's gonna be out of place.

[Rakael]

I take it you guys have never done shrooms.

[abso]

Always wanted to pick them up, but I just don't have the time really to play them anymore. I was also curious about how well an rpg could be pulled up in real settings. Other rpgs have done the modern technology thing, but always in a made up setting to eliminate any real world constraints.

[frederec]

Sorry a giant, talking (assumption here) cat is a bit extreme; even if it is quoting Shakespeare it's gonna be out of place.

Yeah, but this is what Shadow Hearts is about. I mean, among the dark and "mature" plot, Covenant had Gepetto (sp?) who attacked by controlling dolls. Dolls where you collected dresses to get new abilities. Dresses you got by giving gay porn you find to a tailor. Then there's the wrestling half vampire (was he a transvestite too? I forget).

[Jacob Singer]

So why is the "detective" 16 years old? Who the hell hires a teenager to do their detective work?

"Dude, like, your wife is totally sleeping with your brother!"

[frederec]

So why is the "detective" 16 years old? Who the hell hires a teenager to do their detective work?



Japanese people. Haven't you ever noticed it's always the teenagers that save the world? I think they maybe took Logan's Run a little too seriously. If you're too old, you're worthless.

[Opty]

Shadow Hearts: Covenant was way better than the first, in story, gameplay, and graphics. The battle system was refined with the combo system, magic crests, and each character having special moves. Also, it featured my number one feature for any RPG they expect you to play longer than 20 hours: people not in battle get a percentage of the exp from battles. Most people I know play with a team of people whose characters they like, who are attractive, or who are the most powerful, and they stick with that party as much as they can, so no one else gets leveled up. When the game forces you to split your party, I absoultely hate that because half or more of my party members are 10 levels down from the main battle party. But in SH2, that didn't matter as much because anyone not in your party got 50% exp, plus the battles had four people so one more person than normal (for JRPGs) got 100% exp.

What I want to see with this new Shadow Hearts is how they intertwine what happened in Eurasia during WWI with the other games into it.

[Tricky Thumb]

It's turn-based, it's an RPG and the last game was a blast to play through. I really don't care how old they are or whatever else issues people seem to have with the game. All I care to think about is that it's not some goddamn action/RPG game.

[Kelegacy]

It's turn-based, it's an RPG and the last game was a blast to play through. I really don't care how old they are or whatever else issues people seem to have with the game. All I care to think about is that it's not some goddamn action/RPG game.

A man who shares the same ideas and tastes as I! However, I played a bit of Xmen Legends and decided it isnt so bad. I actually had fun, and i normally despise hack/slashers...or at least action games like diablo that pass themselves off as RPGs.

[Kefkataran]

man who shares the same ideas and tastes as I! However, I played a bit of Xmen Legends and decided it isnt so bad. I actually had fun, and i normally despise hack/slashers...or at least action games like diablo that pass themselves off as RPGs.

X-Men Legends is just really well-done. Especially for comic fans!

[EvilBob46]

I own Shadow Hearts: Covenant but only played it for an hour or so a while ago. The voice acting and dialogue was starting to get sort of weird (the writing and the voice acting), especially between the German chick and the Japanese dude and I just sort of quit.

Is it worth picking up again?

[mister_slim]

X-Men Legends is just really well-done. Especially for comic fans!
There should be a V For Vendetta game to go with the movie. It would be the greatest comic game ever.

[ashampine]

The original was okay, but the sequel was excellent! The plot was interesting, the characters well developed, and the graphis greatly improved. It was, in all ways, a superior game, which is a great rarity - the sequel that exceeds the original.

That gives me high hopes for this new installment. I don't see how they'll tie it to the previous two, which form a fairly self-contained arc, but I look forward to finding out.

[Kelegacy]

X-Men Legends is just really well-done. Especially for comic fans!

Yeah, I'm starting to see that. I think I'd be into comics more if I had more time or knew where to start. I'd hate to pick up a #352 of something and have to start mid-way. I own a few comic books, like the Deadpool 4-issue series back in the 90's (it had Juggernaut as a villan in one episode) and a few random others, parts of separate series, that are worth a few dollars more than I paid for them. The Xmen are intriguing, though, because of their back history and excellent cast.

I enjoyed Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance for about an hour or so and then just became fucking bored. I actually bypassed alot of combat and ran through the game, barely beating the end boss because of my lower levels. Xmen isnt like that for me...yet. I'm sure I'll get bored sooner or later, but I am having fun for now. I really just want to get through the game so I can start Xmen Legends 2 and play as Juggernaut. That guy is a beast and one of my favorite Xmen villains. And he's not even a mutant!

[Kefkataran]

Yeah, I'm starting to see that. I think I'd be into comics more if I had more time or knew where to start. I'd hate to pick up a #352 of something and have to start mid-way. I own a few comic books, like the Deadpool 4-issue series back in the 90's (it had Juggernaut as a villan in one episode) and a few random others, parts of separate series, that are worth a few dollars more than I paid for them

I understand the sentiments. It's why I was afraid to get in for a long time. But the truth is, once you start you find yourself falling into the backstory pretty easily. What's really nice is how Marvel is now printing off the cheap "Essential" books -- 500+ pages of black and white back issues for $10-15 a pop. Very nice deal if you're interested in the history of some of your fave comics.