Shadow Hearts: Covenant

This game surprised me, loved the story, the quality, the overall experience, it's definitely one of my favorite RPG's of all time. I highly recommend this game to fans of the RPG genre.

I finished Shadow Hearts Covenant last night and really enjoyed the game. Total playing time for me was 58 hours, and I only did a portion of possible sidequests.In the Shadow Hearts series, I have now played Koudelka (the PS1 prequel to SH), Shadow Hearts, and Shadow Hearts Covenant. Each of the three games is 4 or 5 stars for me, I recommend them all fully. I think with each successive game, the gameplay, combat system, and graphics got better. Also, with each successive game, the overall theme got a little less dark (although I prefer darker, personally). Koudelka was a brilliant, very dark-themed horror survival game with RPG elements that was slowed only by a slow combat system and somewhat blocky graphics. Shadow Hearts was dark-themed, but less so than Koudelka, with vast improvements in look, feel, combat system and overall gameplay. Shadow Hearts Covenant is closer to Shadow Hearts, but less dark-themed still, with further improved gameplay.Shadow Hearts Covenant was a great game, 4.5 stars for me.Strengths:- The Judgement Ring system for turn-based combat is a lot of fun, and is even a little better and deeper here than in Shadow Hearts; combines strategy of the best turn-based RPGs with timing/skill- Great story, with multiple flashbacks and tie-ins to SH and similarly spectacular plots and ending(s) that will leave you both satisfied and thinking- Yuri and Karin are some of the best, most memorable characters I've ever played. Gepetto, Joachim, and the others were very good.- Very enjoyable game throughoutQuirks and oddities:- Some crazy humor and nutty NPCs- Similar (and in some cases the same) weird monsters as SH and KoudelkaMinor Weaknesses:- some unnecessary dialogue with the Ring Soul- Yuri's Graveyard area was good, but I liked the Graveyard gameplay in SH better- less dark than SH or Koudelka (personal preference)Shadow Hearts Covenant is a polished, excellent RPG that really takes advantage of the Judgement Ring System, which is a brilliant gameplay system. It has some of the same origin and a little of the darker flavor of its predecessors, but it is less dark overall.

The game was in excellent condition very satisfied.

Shadow Hearts Covenant is the definition a Great RPG game. It has a powerful storyline, interesting characters, beautiful cutscenes even for a PS2 game along with the graphics. Considering that this game came out 10 years ago. It defines the word Fun! A gamer such as myself, I perfer these turn based type of RPGS, similar like FFX. Yes it has random battles but the story, characters, music, and turned based battles makes up for it. Long game, so much to do and explore. Shadow Hearts 2 has surpassed the 1st one in so many ways. It still has that gothic feeling in this one, the 1st one had more of that horror gothic feeling. Both games are fun and enjoyable. One of the Rare type of Rpg Games, like Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross. A Golden Age of RPGS!!!

First of all, this game is part of a PS1 series called Koudelka (think I spelled that right.) and the sequel to shadow hearts 1. I never played Koudelka, but have completed SH1 and SH2 many times, I purchased this to run headlong down memory lane.So Shadow Hearts: covenant takes place in an alternate fantasy history WW1 era Paris, it follow main characters Yuri, and Karin, the story focuses more on Yuri than anything, but it tries to place Karin (Box Art) as the lead, and it is a wild ride! There are a few references to SH1, but most of them are either fairly innocuous or explain themselves fairly quickly. It sets itself up like a JRPG, as you build a team of unique characters who each fill a specific role, streangths, weaknesses, etc. It is comepletely turn based, and gear centric, but it uses a unique game mechanic called the, "Ring of Fate." (I think) which really turns the genre on its head and is what makes this game such a joy to play. Once you select your action this ring comes up on screen and you have to hit X in certain segments to determine if you crit, how often you hit, if there are bonuses, etc. So you dont just select attack and the game takes over, there is an active mechanic to it as well.The graphics have not aged too well, with facial animations looking the most jarring, lips not moving, held objects floating awkwardly, and eyes... just being a bit much. Scenery is pretty good for PS2 era, with the kindof washed out static background and the stylized foreground.The voice acting makes me think of a mid 90's anime, english dub, in the vein of Yu Yu Hokasho, or similar games of that time (Think Final Fantasy X) Which I have always loved the style so to me it holds up well.tldr; The graphics have certainly aged poorly, the voice acting has aged well, the story still holds up, as do the characters. The voice acting, music, and unique combat styles are still a wonder to behold.