Shadow Hearts: From the New World

"What a Wonderful World!"

Aruze has the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, which is why Shadow Hearts FTNW has a battle system focused yet again around the Judgment Ring. The Ring calls for timed button presses and a sharp eye, a system which can keep you awake during even the most mundane battles, making you realize that simple button mashing is so passe. There's a handy bar at the top of the screen that lets you see the turn order and help plan your moves more effectively. You can rack up a ton of damage utilizing combos effectively but they're a double-edged sword since they can be used against you, too. Once you pull off your first combo magic, though, you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment since the timing is hard to get down at first.

The music in this game is a mixed bag. I like the BGM for most of the cities, but dungeon themes are weak and you'll be hearing them a lot. I'm also kinda ambivalent towards the battle themes which are generally the best part of a soundtrack--the battle themes are maybe too climactic sounding and don't really mesh with the mood I think the game designers were trying to set.

The game begins with a disclaimer stating that any resemblance to actual people and places is entirely coincidental, yet this game is chock full of non-fictional people and places, like Al Capone, Alcatraz, and the Statue of Liberty. Anyway, it's set in 1929 North and South America, a setting which is contradicted by some of the clothing worn and the technology seen (like Johnny's vacuum and cell phone, although his camera is pretty authentic). I would've appreciated some camera control on the field because as is, the camera is pulled out so far that you'll miss treasure chests too small for your poor strained eyes to see. The game lacks in the exploration department since most locations consist of one screen with maybe a building or two to look inside. Dungeons luckily aren't nearly as constraining, but do they have to introduce each and every puzzle with a kindergarten-level explanation? IE, pushing this lever opens the door--brilliant! I would be totally lost without these subtle clues.

I wouldn't argue that some of the characters are a little stereotyped, but just the wide variety and above average eccentricity of all the characters makes the game a real diamond in the rough. Ricardo is the only playable Latino in the game and so he obviously has to fulfill the typical stereotype--mariachi guy with a sombrero and guitar that doubles as a gun (ya, okay, that last part's a little weird but work with me here). In fact, the only cliche he really lacks is perhaps a craving for nachos. Shania is basically the lead female who the creators were reportedly trying NOT to make look offensive as a Native American. Well, that kinda bombed. Not only does she like to go scantily-clad when she does her fusions but she also has a weird taste in love interests. Hilda is proof that this game doesn't take itself too seriously--she's a vampire who can transform into a pink bat, a slim version of herself and a curvy (ie, fat) form. You can change between these forms by sucking either positive or (here's an odd concept) "negative" calories from enemies. For some reason, when she bats her eyes in her curvy form everyone thinks she looks like a perfect li'l angel (overlooking the fact that she looks quite repulsive in her French maid outfit while in this form).

Lady, Killer and freak-show looking Gilbert are the consistent enemies throughout the plot. There's a lot of talk about a red light called Malice and a Gate they're trying to open which will cause total world annihilation, but it's all just bad guys flapping their lips if you ask me. If you found any of that plot exposition the least bit interesting, then welcome to the synopsis of every RPG plot ever. Mao, the talking gangster cat, is believe it or not only the second most unusual character in the game. She has a ridiculous sidequest which involves fighting a bunch of martial arts movie celebrities who have been "feline-ified" for lack of a better term. Frank the ninja is by far the weirdest character, and as far as the age of average game characters go, let's just say he could easily qualify for social security. He makes a weapon out of the most random objects in the game (cactus saber and bus stop saber to name a few), and just wait till you see what he does when he runs into a sword set in stone that looks like Excalibur (hint: he doesn't just pull the sword out). Johnny is the resident effeminate lead who has the blond hair/green eye combo that has been the staple of pretty much every American character in game and anime. I guess on the plus side it's kinda fun watching him do stuff that isn't very American of a teenager, like bowing before he leaves a room. Poor guy, he has to subject himself to the advances of two homosexual bikers who run nearly the only item shop in the game when he needs supplies. Johnny's also kinda geeky going around calling himself a boy detective. Cute if you're 8, kinda creepy at 16.

If you're at all interested in playing a game with perhaps the most ridiculous, off-beat assortment of characters you'll ever find, or if originality and humor ever factor into your purchasing decisions, then you can't do much better.

The Verdict: 9/10. Don't even second guess yourself. This game is worth it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 05/16/06