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Off the Grid: Shadow Hearts

DualShockers writes:

"[Off the grid is a weekly column focusing on titles that may have flown under many people's radar at the time of release, for whatever reason. Usually the titles have some redeeming quality and weren't just overlooked because they were horrible games.]

Shadow Hearts (developed by Sacnoth, published by Midway in the U.S.) had possibly one of the most unfortunate release dates of the PS2 generation - it came out just one week prior to Final Fantasy X. Not only was there a new Final Fantasy title, but it was the first one on the PS2. For this reason alone, I think Shadow Hearts was completely overlooked around it's release, and only later found a cult following. I know I didn't play it until a couple years later when I was looking for new and interesting RPGs to pass the time. But, I'm sure glad I picked it up and played it, because it is a rather unique and compelling title - something you don't see often in the JRPG genre."
JoelT - contributor
Published: 50 days 4 hours ago | Article | Gaming
 
 

Showing: 1 - 11 of 11 Comments
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JoelT - 50 days 6 hours ago
1 - Interesting...
This is definitely a title i looked over because of FFX. From reading about some of the story though, maybe I should see if theres a bargain bin copy in my local game store.
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Chris399 - 50 days 6 hours ago
1.1 - Wow, you're missing out on some of the most quirky, dark and interesting RPGs of the last generation.
Do yourself a favor and pick them up asap. And I'm not sure if the article mentions it, but Koudelka comes first in the series (for the PS1). It was made by a bunch of SE dissenters.

Shadow Hearts 1, 2 and 3 are easily among my favorite RPGs. I really hope someone pics up the license to this series (as the developers dissolved). I would die for a current gen iteration of this franchise.
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SaiyanFury - 50 days 1 hour ago
1.2 -
I had Koudelka but didn't care for it so much. The Shadow Hearts trilogy on the other hand really drew me. I also hope someone develops more games in the series, they were really unique and had some great characters.
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Chadness - 50 days 6 hours ago
2 -
Perhaps I should have mentioned Koudelka, although I never played it myself. I mostly just wanted to focus on SH though. Although I'm always up for trying older RPGs when I have the time. I bet it's hard to come by though.
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Chris399 - 50 days 6 hours ago
2.1 - Yeah, Koudelka is hard to find. I imagine an Ebay or Amazon one would cost a pretty penny.
As the developers are dissolved and there's no real copies being printed and made, you could classify it as a "classic" and download/ emulate it.

I abhor piracy, but if you can't find a copy this would be the time to make an exception.
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Grandreaper9999 - 49 days 22 hours ago
2.2 -
I got my copy for like $30.00 last month from ebay. Classic.
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Ninferno - 50 days 5 hours ago
3 -
great article.
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iiprotocolii - 50 days 5 hours ago
4 - Shadow Hearts
Was definitely a great game. The second one wasn't that bad either. It's a good series; if you haven't played it, get it.
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Crystallis - 50 days 3 hours ago
5 -
Shadow Hearts 2 Covenant was awesome...Ah I miss those days of great RPG's!
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terrorofdeath - 50 days 3 hours ago
6 - Gotta love..
that Judgement Ring, was so awesome! hope to see a next gen Shadow Hearts..Sony grab the license now!
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Tomarcus - 49 days 23 hours ago
7 -
I feel like a noob, this game has never been on my radar...
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