Shadow Hearts: Covenant for PlayStation 2 Reviews by Gamers

Nautilus' Shadow Hearts: Covenant is an epic, story-driven RPG sequel in which a clandestine society aiming to control the world has cursed the hero, Yuri, weakening his morphing abilities. The game features an enhanced version of the Judgment Ring combat system wherein you choose which characters to bring to battle, with the final outcome dependent on your speed and accuracy.

Commendations

The narrative is instantly compelling, quickly filling up with interesting characters, intriguing twists and a number of situations that may surprise you. Yuri is particularly notable for not being a stereotypical champion, but rather an individual with a dark side that's most often reflected in his acerbic sense of humor. The supporting cast is arguably just as memorable. The turn-based battle system is laden with party choices plus customization and upgrade options that offer plenty of variety in the fights. The team-based combos are especially fun. The visuals are technically very good, and the art direction distinctive, while the music, sound and voice acting all enhance the overall play experience.

Reservations

While I've yet to complete the game, nothing I've seen so far stands out as more than a pretty minor issue. If you're expecting a "pure" turn-based scheme, the Judgment Ring isn't one since it has a component wherein you must time your actions. However, the speed of this aspect would seem manageable for just about everyone. At his point, I have no read on replayability, although the reported existence of two endings would certainly seem favorable in this regard.

The Bottom Line

As an initial impression based on less than a full playthrough, Shadow Hearts: Covenant is a game that definitely deserves to emerge into the spotlight. Its strong individual components add up to more than the sum of the parts, and furnish an experience any RPG fan is likely to enjoy.

Screenshots

[Minute Views are so named for their size and the time it takes to read them. They are intended to provide initial impressions only; unlike our reviews, they do not require extensive play using different strategies, or completion of the game. - Ed.]

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