Video Game Reviews: ‘Shadow Hearts’ envisions a paranormal 1920’s America
With its inventive Judgment Ring combat system, bizarre reinterpretation of historical events, and quirky, unabashed dialogue, the “Shadow Hearts” series has carved out a substantial role-playing niche among gaming fans and has become revered as an imaginative collection of cult classics. Chronicling the supernatural exploits of wry, taciturn harmonixer (a shapeshifter that fuses with the souls of deceased enemies) Yuri Hyuga, the “Shadow Hearts” series is a unique find for RPG gamers.
In a genre constantly riddled with stagnation and banality, the “Shadow Hearts” series manages to prove that some Japanese developers still put out titles with progressive and inspired narratives. Taking place in an outlandish, paranormally auspicious version of the early 19th century, common sites throughout the world of “Shadow Hearts” have included an immortal Roger Bacon, a perpetually possessed Grigori Rasputin, a reoccurring duo of flamboyant homosexual shop owners and a talking dog or two.
The latest installment of this inimitable franchise, “Shadow Hearts: From the New World” flashes forward a few decades (the previous game took place during World War I) to the twilight of the roarin’ twenties and the dawn of the Great Depression. While previous installments of the series took place in Europe and Asia, the series’ cheeky spin-off takes the action to the Americas – specifically, the Americas of the North and South variety.
In the game, players assume the role of Johnny Garland, a 16-year-old private detective that encounters Shania, a shapely Native American woman possessing the same soul-merging capabilities as the series’ original protagonist. While the game maintains a much lighter tone than its gothic-based predecessors, Nautilus’ haphazard approach to places like Depression-era New York, Roswell New Mexico, and even the infamous island of Alcatraz maintains and even amplifies the series’ trademark penchant for peculiar historical reinterpretations.
Additionally, the game’s vibrant cast of characters reinforces Nautilus’ intriguing conception of anomalous Americana that is brought to life through numerous breathtaking FMV sequences. Players will be joined by Shania’s stoic bodyguard, a gallant vampire vixen, Al Capone’s thespian cat, a “Desperado” inspired mariachi member, and a Brazilian ninja named Frank. Unfortunately, the game’s voice acting is a mixed bag and largely fails to take advantage of such a distinctive blend of personalities-a serious disappointment considering the exceptional voice acting found in the franchise’s previous installments. Despite this qualitative audio hic-cup, however, the return of the series’ highly regarded Judgment Ring battle system more than makes up for it. Featuring a fully-customizable display wheel, the Judgment Ring requires players to press corresponding buttons as a dial strikes the appropriate positions on the wheel. The result is a turn-based battle system that actually keeps gamers on their toes–a prospect that is further exemplified by the addition of the “stellar chart” magic system.
The harmonixer’s monster fusion ability also makes a return in the form of Shania’s soul pacts. In order to gain a monster transformation, players are required to battle spirits found on holy ground. Once a spirit is obtained, players can collect various ‘fetishes’ (and you thought this game couldn’t get any weirder) in order to enhance the spirit’s abilities and status effects. Although it may be a drastic departure from the main series’ darker installments, “Shadow Hearts: From the New World” features the proper developmental evolution of the series’ sporadic battle system and the inclusion of the same abnormal nuances that have defined the franchise and made it a series that RPG fans should watch out for.
Mack Perry is a critic at the Utah Statesman. Comments and questions can be sent to him at
mackp@cc.usu.edu.