Ridiculously good. With a stacked roster of fun personalities, a wicked sense of humor that never lets up, and a vast, captivating quest, the words "epic" and "engaging" don't really do this one justice. [Nov 2004, p.78]
It just works; it combines a challenging combat system with likeable characters and a unique setting to create a truly excellent game. Covenant is easily a contender for the title of best RPG on the PS2.
What a masterpiece ****! I had high expectations after playing 1 but 2 is so much better in every way possible. Definitely give it a try if you can find a way to get your hands on this gem. I wish games like this would come back with modern graphics and some QOL improvements.
With splendid visuals, new fighting innovations, and a snappy sense of humor that anyone can comprehend, Shadow Hearts: Covenant dazzles you every step of the way. [Nov 2004, p.156]
Had the comedy not fallen so flat and completely undermined what is otherwise a great story to follow, I seriously would have considered this as a personal RPG of the Year contender for last year seeing that the gameplay is just as fun as any RPG that came out in 2004.
The game’s unique style, off-beat humour and memorable characters give it enough strength to rise above the bland Final Fantasy –clones and stand on its own merits. [May 2005, p.73]
This is the best. game. ever. I first played it back in 2005 and it's still the best JRPG I've ever played. It's hilarious, sad (moved me to tears) and epic, referencing real events (World War 1, Rasputin, Lawrence of Arabia) in an alternative world where there is magic and demons. Yuri is a wonderful protagonist who is powerful (with this demonic fusions) and funny with a sharp wit despite a tortured soul. The story is epic, the cutscenes amazing, and the characters memorable - a vampire, a white wolf, Anastasia Romanov to name a few.
Each character has a detailed side quest that reveals more about them, and the gameplay is the best of any game. Turn-based but with a judgement ring that requires times key pressed to get the best out of it. I recommended this game to two friends who were Final Fantasy fanatics and after playing it they both changed their minds about which is the best. game. ever. It's Shadow Hearts Covenant.
A true hidden gem and one of the best games ever. Easily like top 3 stories ever in videogame history. The gameplay is solid and rewarding. The characters are fantastic and enjoyable. The game is perfect.
+ This is the best Shadow Hearts game.
+ When thinking **** JRPG other than Final Fantasy, this is one of the first to come to mind.
+ The story in this game is so fantastic.
+ The game is very dark and unique.
This game starts out with really boring military cutscenes. The game doesn't get going very quickly. Japanese anime characters are out of place in WW1. The gameplay is basically a golf-like reaction system, but a bit harder. If you are old or feeling slow you won't be able to play this. It makes sitting down to play on a lazy afternoon an impossible annoyance. The interesting characterization just isn't there, as typical as later Japanese RPG games. This is why Midway went into bankruptcy. Not fun.
Summary(Also known as "Shadow Hearts II" in Japan) The story unfolds via amazingly detailed cutscenes which bring the enthralling and complex characters, powerful battle sequences and unique gameplay to life. Shadow Hearts: Covenant also brings back the innovative combat system, the Judgment Ring, which not only allows players to choose which c...