Shadow Hearts: From the New World

Without a doubt, one of the best RPGs to hit the PS2. It's quirky, hilarious, loaded with enjoyable side quests and manages to tug the heartstrings just enough to round out the whole experience.

Shadow Hearts has proven itself to be one of the most rewarding and polished series of RPGs in years, if not ever. In this vein, From the New World continues this tradition, with entertaining characters, a lengthy quest, a healthy does of character-specific side-missions, wonderful dialog, and more than a few chuckles along the way.

A really decent RPG. This is the game you were looking for, I promise. It's lengthy, but not 80-hours-lengthy. It's hard, but not impossible. It's engrossing, but not so much that it will ruin your life (unlike "World of Warcraft.")

Any role playing game fan should love this game. What’s more impressive is that even non-RPG fans can find many aspects enticing.

Thankfully, you'll spend a majority of your time immersed in the stellar combat or drinking in the often surreal moments that define Shadow Hearts: From The New World as one of the most inventive and entertaining RPG's in years. [Mar 2006, p.106]

It has beautiful graphics, great sound, a fun combat system, and long-lasting gameplay that can easily entertain any RPG fan.

The latest installment in the Shadow Hearts series will have fans of the first two clamoring for more. Those just joining the series, prepare for a RPG unlike anything you have ever played before.

While it may not be neck and neck with the big boys yet, the series has however now become a legit contender in the RPG genre.

The story in, From the New World, may be completely whacked but it keeps things interesting while adding a lot of unexpected elements to the gameplay.

It’s also lacking the presence of Yuri, who was one of the coolest RPG protagonists in recent memory. But if you let yourself free of any previous conceptions - and can forgive some uneven storytelling - you’ll find From the New World to be one of the most unique, engrossing, and well designed RPGs of this generation.

This one adds a little more spice to the mix and delivers a really fun game to play.

From the New World keeps the series' bizarre flavor alive and well, matching it with a great battle system and a myriad of side quests to explore.

Thanks to the always-entertaining battle system, Shadow Hearts: From the New World manages to be a good, enjoyable game, but one that definitely has lost potential. The plot is intriguing at its core but it doesn't develop very well – there's no urgency compared to Covenant.

The game does have a few issues, the first being with the story (putting aside its bizarre nature). The game is in love with side quests, many of which do not really seem to tie in too much with the main storyline. The continuity of the narrative suffers as a result of your constant sidetracking followed by trying to remember where you were in the goofy main storyline.

The return of SH's trademark humor is accompanied by the return of the excellent Judgement Ring battle system as well, and for those who thought "Covenant" was too easy, don't mistake FTNW as from the same school of pushovers: boss fights can be grueling, and if you're not prepared, they can go on for a long time. [Apr 2006, p.76]

While I enjoyed the game very much, it's best suited for role-playing game enthusiasts who have a sense of humor and don't mind a bit of a mish-mash when it comes to their epic world-saving storylines.

If the thought of playing as a goofy rip-off of Ninja Gaiden star Ryu Hyabusa named Frank, who always refers to himself in the third person, doesn't have you running for the hills, then by all means pick up Shadow Hearts: From The New World. You definitely won't find yourself bored.

It flounders with its winning premise for most of the late goings, but the fact that it took the chances it did in the early going is a huge advantage for the game.

Weird, wacky, and engaging, the game can go head to head with any of Square’s best—as long as you have a healthy sense of humor.

It won't wow you, but the unique combat and lively characters make it a worthy RPG. [June 2007, p.68]

Looks outdated, but is challenging, cheeky and charming. The combat and sidequests will keep you entertained for ages. [June 2007, p.86]

Its strange cast and inventive battle system make it a great title for fans of the RPG genre and those not so well versed in it as well.

From The New World will have to fight for attention in a time when we're spoiled with quality RPGs, but that doesn't detract from how fun it is. Good stuff. [June 2006, p.50]

The story itself is enjoyable when it exists, the characters are fun but feel all too similar, and the dungeons range from awe-inspiring to incredibly dull. [JPN Import]

If you don't have any expectations, then Shadow Hearts: From the New World will probably surprise you with its trademark weirdness and entertaining battle system.