[Cecil]

Recently, this game was finally released all over america, and I have not yet played it. But I have read a lot of reviews and people are giving it a pretty good review, and yes I know the first Shadow Hearts wasn't the greatest of games, the graphics weren't all that great, (except for the FMV sequences which for once had voice acting), and had a pretty good storyline along with a great battle system, (I love the judgement ring ), AND being able to transform, or technically "fusion", AKA fuse with monsters to use more powerful attacks for each problem.

I also saw some pictures of it all, the graphics look twice as better, and so does the gameplay, which also Yuri is back, (except he has a different name and WAY new look), and a bunch of other new characters. (Roger Bacon looks like grandfather time, it's rather entertaining to laugh at him XD). Anyway, has anyone played it, and is it worth playing?

[The Unknown]

I've been waiting to buy this game ever I knew it was being planned. I remember playing the first one which I enjoyed very much (even more than the Square game that came out that year and took all media attention away from SH, FFX). I've seen the trailers and read the reviews for the new one, and some reviews claim its better than the original. It certainly looks promising. Hopefully, I'll get it soon, and after I play it, I'm pretty sure I'll be back to this thread to recommend it

[Jaylu]

The first Shadows Hearts is one of favorite RPGs. It was underrated and was moderately successful. The graphics weren't great, but it was certainly an entertaining game. I like being able to play as Yuri again, but I'm sad that Alice doesn't make a return. Apparently she's dead because of what happened in the first game, but there was an alternate ending to prevent that. Oh well...

[Guniw]

It's awesome, especially if you're a fan of the series. Very worth buying... I haven't beaten it yet myself, but I just got sidetracked by Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne...

[Cecil]

Well, I just bought it yesterday and I do now LOVE IT, it strangely makes me feel like I'm playing FFX, except for the battle system, it just gives off a FFX feel. I mean the puzzles and such, along with the graphics and scenes, in most parts they actually have voice acting, along with some good CG scenes. It also seems the story is good, (not to mention Karin is just one hot chic, I love her!), and there is hardly anything wrong with it. SH2 rocks!

[tidus 20xx]

the battle system sucks

[Fuji_Syusuke]

I've been playing Shadow Hearts (the first one) and I like it, the battle system doesn't suck, if you have crappy reflexes then what the hell are you doing playing videogames?

Anyway the storyline is a bit predictible, but it was pretty good. At one point I thought I had finnished the game but I hadn't, you know the part where you beat that chinese monk guy. Anyway I thought it was a pretty good game, the graphics are decent and voice acting always sucks. I think the second one is better but I won't play it until I beat the first one.

[JackSkellington]

I never really gotten the chance to play SH or SH2 but after hearing all this positive feedback I might just try it out now

[The Original TD]

I have played both (their my cousins) and they kick major ass but I only have enough money for one game now and I doubt that I will get it.

[Style]

Squeak. SQUEAK.

I love the Shadow Hearts! <3
I’m currently playing the second one, and it’s just pure awesome-o-lot.

Did someone say the battle system sucked?!
Nonsense.
I love the battle system! It’s fun and. . awesome-o-lot.
Dude probably just sucks at it.

Tsk.

Shame.

[The Unknown]

I finally bought it and started playing it. It's really good so far. Some definite imporovements to the Graveyard and other systems. Can't wait until semester break and then I'll have time to finish it.

[Hikusaak]

The Unknown, on Dec 1 2004, 01:49 AM, said:

I finally bought it and started playing it.  It's really good so far.  Some definite imporovements to the Graveyard and other systems.

Improvements to the graveyard? You got to be kidding, it was the worst part of the game for me. =/
There's nothing there. Just a lot of empty space and some doors =/
The graveyard in SH1 was much better IMO. =/

Anyway, the first Shadow Hearts is among the best rpg's I've played, and definitely one of the best ones available for PS2.
Many people overlooked the game because it was released at about the same time as FFX.

Shadow Hearts 2 has gotten a lot of improvements, especially the battle system.
I love doing combos ^^;
I don't use Fusion much this time around. At least not yet. Only during boss fights.
But I still haven't gotten the best ones, only the basic.

Also, the custom ring system is great.
You don't have to upgrade your weapon anymore, every time you buy a new one.

[The Unknown]

Hikusaak, on Nov 30 2004, 08:00 PM, said:

Improvements to the graveyard? You got to be kidding, it was the worst part of the game for me. =/
There's nothing there. Just a lot of empty space and some doors =/
The graveyard in SH1 was much better IMO. =/

Well the only real thing that's better about the Graveyard is not having to go there because the Mailce level is too high. Too many times I got stuck with really high Malice and no save point nearby. That always bothered me and so did the Four Masks.

[Hikusaak]

Hehe that's true ^^;
But I kinda liked the Malice system. It was a bit annoying sometimes, since you don't exactly have to fight a very strong enemy, so it mostly felt like a waste of time. But when the masks started to appear, it made things more interested.
I enjoyed fighting them, because of what they did to Alice, I beat the crap out of them. Meanies ;_;

I didn't even know that you were supposed to beat them to get the good ending, or do it in a specific order.
I fought them with a blind Judgement ring, and various other status ailments, but I knew Yuri's strike areas by heart ^^;
And I fought them just out of spite ;_;

After you beat them, weak versions of them appear that die in one hit, so the malice system wasn't so bad anymore.