Shadow Hearts: Covenant

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Midway
  • Release Date: Sep 27, 2004
Shadow Hearts: Covenant Image
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 49 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 122 Ratings

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  • 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,(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 characters to bring to battle, but also determines the final outcome of the battle based on the players' speed and accuracy. New to the Shadow Hearts sequel, are enhancements to the Judgment Ring which allow team-based combo attacks. Set during World War I in a fantastical world of magic and creatures, the game takes place six months after the original Shadow Hearts ended. Yuri, the main character is back, and he embarks on a new expedition with friends Gepetto, a puppet master, and Kallen, a German female soldier. Yuri's morphing abilities have been weakened because he has been cursed by Nicholas, a member of a secret society taking advantage of the war to fulfill their evil ambitions of ruling the world. Yuri and his companions must journey to find a cure for his curse and defeat the malevolent cult. [Midway]… Expand
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Shadow Hearts: Covenant Gameplay Movie 18

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 49
  3. Negative: 0 out of 49
  1. PSX Nation
    100
    A rock-solid Role-Playing Game with a moving story, believable characters, and loads of great humor that keep it from dragging you down...Hands-down the definitive role-playing experience for the PlayStation 2.
  2. Worth Playing
    93
    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.
  3. IGN
    91
    I had just experienced one of the best role-playing games this year...The battle system is great, the characters are awesome, the storyline is among the best of the year, and the presentation is top-notch.
  4. TotalGames.net
    87
    Easily one of the most refreshingly original adventures to grace the PS2 to date. Elements conspire to create a well-rounded and enjoyable gaming experience that will keep you entertained for all of its 40-odd hours and aside from the odd annoying section (being forced to use underpowered characters early in the second disc, for instance), there really isn't anything stopping this being one of the best RPGs due out this year.
    All this publication's reviews
  5. G4 TV
    80
    It's balanced to near-perfection, and manages to pack very few slow moments into a few dozen hours of gameplay. Sure, it's not a Square-Enix title, but you'll be surprised at just how good this game is.
  6. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    80
    Saves itself from mediocrity through sheer force of its oddity. I honestly don't know what to expect next from Nautilus. [Nov 2004, p.138]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. netjak
    60
    It's a LONG role-playing game, but that's not necessarily a good quality when it becomes more of a chore than a hobby.
    All this publication's reviews

See all 49 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. WalterN.
    Jan 3, 2007
    10
    Simply the best RPG I've played. The FMVs and the story is near unmatched by most of today's new animes on all consoles. The Simply the best RPG I've played. The FMVs and the story is near unmatched by most of today's new animes on all consoles. The gameplay is also very unique. Xenogears still remains the best ever.… Expand
  2. dragoneric
    Mar 23, 2018
    10
    I just love this game, it's the best one I've ever played, the best story ever, the characters have such a great development like no other. II just love this game, it's the best one I've ever played, the best story ever, the characters have such a great development like no other. I hope that someday there'll be a remake of the trilogy and Koudelka.… Expand
  4. IgalV.
    Oct 29, 2004
    10
    Quite possibly the single best RPG on the Playstation 2 in 2004. How many games do you have that take up 2 DVD's? Shadow Hearts: Quite possibly the single best RPG on the Playstation 2 in 2004. How many games do you have that take up 2 DVD's? Shadow Hearts: Covenant does. It's got gameplay, plot, characters, and music. Graphics aren't too shabby either, especially the movies. Highly recommended!… Expand
  5. harrietjane
    May 5, 2022
    10
    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 toThis 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.    … Expand
  6. ATemplarZ
    Feb 18, 2019
    9
    Shadow Hearts Covenant isn't a revolutionary game but it took the ideas from the best JRPGs combined to make a consistent solid experienceShadow Hearts Covenant isn't a revolutionary game but it took the ideas from the best JRPGs combined to make a consistent solid experience that has a perfect length in where it doesn't feel neither short or a slog to make one of the best RPG experiences i have ever had.

    Gameplay 10 -> Turn based RPG with a unique and refreshing battle system called the Judgement Ring, beautiful towns with interesting side quests for each party member that never feels repetitive, amazing dungeons that never drags or feels to long with some interesting puzzles and a dark mysterious atmosphere.

    Graphics 9 -> While not the best looking game in the ps2 it's definitely an improvement from previous games, world is beautiful, some characters have good detail while others could be a little better.

    Sound 9 -> Amazing overall sound quality even for it's time and amazing music by great composers such as Yasunori Mitsuda and really well done voice acting, the only small and minor complaint i have is it could use some more music variety in towns and dungeons but nothing major just a minor touch that doesn't impact the great experience in this journey.

    Story 10 -> Mature writing is what i like to describe this journey always keeping the player interested on what is going to happen with it's amazing unpredictability, tone of story keeps changing throughout the game to make the player engaged and to never feel bored, it changes from seriousness to humor to heartbreaking moments and some unexpected twists to make it an overall unique and accomplished story.

    Overall 9.2 -> Coming from a person who rarely gives games a high score and never gives a 10 because i think nothing is perfect, i highly recommend to any turn based RPG fan to give this game a try, one of the greatest hidden gems i have ever experienced. Interesting Characters with an amazing lead character Yuri who experiences a lot of different emotions throughout. Like i said above this is NOT a revolutionary game that did completely new mechanics or anything for it's time but it really does an amazing job of capturing all the goods from previous RPG to make an solid, interesting and unique experience. Worthy of more recognition by JRPG fans and definitely should get an HD release on current gen systems and Steam.    … Expand
  7. buronizzz
    Oct 18, 2022
    9
    Such a forgotten gem. I really loved it on the PlayStation 2. It's probably my favorite jrpg on the platform after ff10.
  8. EmilyR.
    Dec 4, 2005
    5
    An average game. Wonderful graphics and most of the characters were enjoyable. The Judgement Ring battle system is one of the most unique An average game. Wonderful graphics and most of the characters were enjoyable. The Judgement Ring battle system is one of the most unique that games have to offer. But that's about it, that's all the game has to offer. The storyline is rather bland, some of the characters are downright annoying with their stupidity, and the music was something left to be desired. You couldn't explore much of anything, everything was entirely too straightforward. You went from Point A to Point B and that's about it. I played it for a good while and found that the music didn't change much and the humor that everyone else seems to find in this game I can't see. I just didn't enjoy it as much as I had thought I would and I'm going to be giving back this game to the person I borrowed it from. If, at most, you should rent or borrow it. Because it isn't worth buying.… Expand

See all 35 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best PS2 Game of 2004
32
#32 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004
20
#20 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2004