[Multiplatform] How good are: Shadow Hearts, Valk Profile, Dark Cloud, & Arc the Lad Series

I have played many-a-RPG in my life and it is starting to come down to looking at some RPG series that I have not tried yet. So, I was wondering if I could ask anybody who has played any of these:

Shadow Hearts series
Valkyrie Profile series
Dark Cloud series
Arc the Lad series

...how each game in the series is?

- Please review the gameplay the most as it is my most important aspect in games.
- Talk about how good the storyline is, if so.
- Try to compare gameplay or other aspects to Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest or other RPG games so that I get an idea.
- Finally: RECOMMEND SOME!

Thanks

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I have made a decision. I went out to buy a used DARK CLOUD 2 today.
Reasons: The reviews are great. I love Dragon Quest 8, also by "Level 5".
This thread has helped.

Possible second series to try:
Shadow Hearts. Most of you talked highly of some and they look interesting.
Valk Profile may not look like my thing after watching videos of the gameplay, but some of you talk highly of it.

I will probably skip Arc the Lad and Dark Cloud 1 altogether.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Big Dragon Quest fan myself, and Level 5 is obviously great.
I'll definitely look at gameplay videos of all of those. I do have all of the main (popular) handheld and console systems to date.

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