Shadow Hearts: From the New World

"Into a New World"

-Shadow Hearts: From the New World (ENG Version)-
This review is based on the domestic English version currently.

-PLOT- [06]
{Breakdown: Main Plot- C, Character Plot- C, NPCs- C}
While the story of Shadow Hearts: From the New World (SH:FtNW) isn't exactly the best, the humor of the characters makes up a lot for it. Johnny Garland, a 16-year old teenager, is a detective-for-hire, to solve lost people and pets (usually). During one of his investigation, he mysteriously encounter strange monsters and eventually gets dragged into the world of mysteries, resulting in discovering his past.

The characters in this game is amazingly whacked and interesting. We got a 16-year old teenager who fights with a small knife (and runs a detective agency), a talking and drinking Mafia cat (who knows drunken fist), a hyperactive American ninja, a mariachi from the movie Desperado, an American Indian who uses kung-fu movements and guns (known as Gun-Fu), a female vampire with a severe calories disorder and finally, a priestess who sheds all her clothes to transform but yet regain all her clothes back when returning to her original form.

If anything, it is the same "saving the world" but with an interesting group of cast. A cast that is linked directly with one and another because of one common enemy (well, almost).

-GAMEPLAY- [08]
{Breakdown: Difficulty- B, Battle System- B, Puzzles- B, Control- B}
Every Shadow Hearts fan know the battle system is unique in it's own way. That way is known as the Judgement Ring system. This system consist of a ring, the purpose is to push the button (on your controller of course) when the marker is on the "hit areas". Successfully doing so will successfully perform many actions. These actions includes discount buying prices, increase selling price and more. In battle, it gets much more advanced.

In battle, the Judgement Ring determines if you successfully attack or not at all. Hitting all the required "hit areas" will mean you will successfully complete the full attack(s). If you manage to time and hit it in the red colored areas known as "strike areas", generally located at the very end of the "hit area" risking a possible miss, you'll deal even more damage than normally.

For spells, you must hit all the "green-colored areas" then the final "hit area" to successfully cast a spell, if not, that character will lose their turn. This goes the same with items and skills too.

Thus the whole gameplay deals with hand-eye coordinations. If you have really good coordinations and timing, you won't have much problem. If you got horrible timing skills, you're in luck. There is a feature which will automatically do the ring timing for you (but you do miss out some features though).

Another new feature is the stock system. Attacking and receiving damage will fill up a gauge for that particular character. Once it is full, you will gain a stock (having up to 2 max stock). Having this stock, you can create some advantageous tactics such as Team-Combos, Double (2 attacks in a row) and more. While it may make you life easier for you, don't forget, the enemies also have the abilities to make their lives easier for them. Thus always be aware of who has stocks and who doesn't.

The enemies in this game are ruthless. Always make sure which enemy/enemies have stocks and which doesn't. Chances are, if they have a stock, they will attempt to perform a high damaging combo attack just to kill a player. It gets even worse if they have all have 2 stocks AND they all get first attack from surrounding you. You could probably get a Game Over from that if you're not high enough of a level or prepared enough.

Puzzles in SH:FtNW consist of some varied array of types. While some are used for the mandatory of the game (button pushing which raise/lower platforms or asking people for the clue to solve a puzzles), there are other puzzles which tests your mental skills in side quests. Those mental skills includes a 10 question math quiz which you must answer in under 10 seconds each. Also a detective puzzle which you must find all the clues about each of the suspect and decide who is the real "thief" (like the board game Clue). It's a little refreshing to see new or different puzzles compared to the other RPGs. I like it a lot since it's a little different, but yet, there will be others who will not like this since they aren't adapt to some puzzles (like the math quiz).

The controls are a little floaty in this game. Sometimes the lead character will take an extra step forward even after you let go of the controls. This could mean an extra battle from the random encountering. Luckily this doesn't effect the importance of the timing/pushing of the Judgement Ring system (very accurate).

-GRAPHICS- [08]
{Breakdown: Graphics- B, Animation- X, Full Motion Videos- B}
Compared to the latest RPGs, it wouldn't be exactly breathtaking. Unfortunately, I think the designs and graphics for this game is excellent, even if it isn't up to the latest standards of "omg graphic must be awesome!". The FMVs are pretty good and colorful but sometimes is a little blurry due to the "Filter" option (whether it's on or off). It's annoying when playing on a LCD Monitor. There's no animation thus it can't be rated at all.

-Composition- [08]
{Breakdown: Background Music- B, SFX- B, Voice- A}
The music in this game is great BUT not the most memorable. The music given for each area fits perfectly as well as the battle theme. Speaking of Battle Themes, "Dead Finger Talk" just freaking rules and as well as the "Final Boss music" (I can't name it since it may spoil for you readers). The final boss music is great, I felt if captured the emotions of the current situation especially for the antagonist's side.

The sound effects is well played although hearing it time and time again will prove to be an annoyance. Probably my favorite one is the sound for the Judgement Ring. You can use the sound effect to literally know where the marker is on the ring. Pretty sweet.

The voice acting in this game is great! It captures all the personality and generalization of the characters. Johnny does sound like an average 16-year old boy, Shania sounds like a mature-but-revenging seeking "Princess", Nathan sounds like the calm but knowledgeable guardian and protector. Frank? The over-hyped American ninja (OH MY GOD!!! ~~ I love it when he says that lol). Plus there's more! Sadly the only one I didn't like was Roger, it just sounds.. awkward.

-REPLAY- [MED]
{Breakdown: Extra Difficulties- F, Secret Moves- F, Bonus Dungeons- F, Collectors- B, NewGamePlus- B}
I don't consider Purgatory as a bonus dungeon although I probably should. While there isn't any extra difficulties or secret moves.. SH:FtNW does allow a collectors (pictures and such) as well as a NewGamePlus which allows you to transfers a lot of stuff from your previous game. This is great especially if you want to get everything and unlock both Good and Bad endings on the FMV Viewer.

Oh, did I forget to mention that? Once you've beaten the game, there will be a new option under the main menu. This option allows you to view all the fmvs in the game! That is a major plus in my book!

-THE FINAL GRADE- 08 / 10
This is my first introduction to the Shadow Hearts series, and I must say I am VERY impressed with this game. I love the wacky casts and the music in this (especially "Dead Fingers Talk" and "Final Boss theme"). Sadly the plot lacks somewhat since it's very direct but yet, I can't help but think sad thoughts for the antagonist at the end. I'm just a sucker for sad and unfair situations at the end.

This game is worth buying if you're new to the series, but there's an extra bonus! This game is cheap! It's only sold for $39.99 unlike most higher priced games at $49.99 or $59.99!

The game, itself, is short if you decide to do the main plot.. but there is a chance you will be destroyed by the final boss known as the fan-given name: "The Brick Wall". The side quests in the game not only enhances your characters' abilities and skills, it also furthers your gameplay time which can be increased nearly twice the amount.

Buy it? Definitely if you like what you read from my review.
Rent it? If you're still unsure, I would suggest you to rent it.

Overall, the Judgement Ring system is a new and interesting way to fight battles compared to the other rpgs, which is the core basis of the Shadow Hearts series.

Thus I have delved into a New World.
A new world I've never experienced until now.
A new world that shown it's Judgement in a shape of a circle ring.
A new world which left me very impressed and wanting to play the rest of the series...

... the world of Shadow Hearts

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 03/29/06