[PS2] Shadow Hearts: From the New World

Wow, I just played the demo for this that came with OPM (what's with the damn time limit argh).

I've never played a single SH game before this and I didn't really know what the games were about. Honestly, when I popped it in, I was like "wtf is this...an RPG?" I didn't know whether to take it seriously or not since the only RPGs I've played were like serious fantasy games. So I assumed it was gonna be that. The characters in the opening movie seemed to fit in those kinds of games, but the main blonde kid was so plain and modern looking (aside from that one part of his hair...) that it threw me off. But after the first cutscene where Johnny gets his case, I realized that this was something different, it's set in New York for christ's sake.

So I played up to meeting those gay guys (when that Gerard dude just stood up I already wanted to laugh at him) before the demo cut off. I wasn't sure how I felt. I knew that I liked how it seemed like it was basically parodying other RPGs. So I played it again to see if there was any fighting, going through as fast as I could. Got to Chelsea where I met the little girl, demo cuts off. I get a little farther each time before some retarded time limit stops me from enjoying any more.

I gotta say, I'm happy as hell that I played that demo. Game looks really awesome and I'm sad that I haven't paid attention to it sooner. I'm definitely gonna try to pick it up if I see it.

But I was wondering about the SH games that came before this. I'd love to get them and play them first (that's just how I am). But story/character-wise, do I have to play them to understand what's going on? I can remember seeing a lot of copies at the game stores in the past, so hopefully they're still there.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Hmm, looks like this stuff is rare

But I'm gonna try to get them all, regardless. Including Koudelka (wow, haven't played a multiple disc game in a LONG time). But in the meantime I'll try to pick up this new game and take it from there.

Thanks

How ya doing, buddy?

I finally bought this yesterday and I'm really glad I did. Couldn't get the other games (I opted to just get this and Metroid Prime Hunters instead) but I'm still trying. Feels nice to finally play some new areas outside of what the demo offered, and without worrying about a lame time limit. I just finished the Grand Canyon and took a break as soon as I got to Chicago.

The Judgment Ring thing is pretty neat, I've gotten good at hitting the strike areas 100% in battle. And I like the combo system...single input makes me happier. I gotta remember to keep an eye on the SP, I've gone berserk a few times already and lost out on EXP. I'm having fun otherwise, Frank's awesome (cracked up when he grabbed that cactus...) and I like Shania, too. I keep wanting to call her "Shania Twain..." Johnny's design still irks me for some reason. His hair or his jacket...I dunno what it is. He's okay, though.

I like the setting and the humor, nice change of pace from the medieval fantasy stuff I'm used to. I like the music in the Grand Canyon as well as the regular and boss battle music. The music that plays in New York annoyed me but now it's stuck in my head, not sure if that's good or bad.

I'm probably gonna go play again soon, Just itching to get on with the storyline and figure out what in the world is going on with the redheaded dude, really.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I'm only up to the Uyuni Salt Lake...Flats...whatever it's called. True story, looking at the box and manual art, I totally thought Hilda was like Johnny's crazy twin or something (hey, they look alike in that art :/ ). I love Hilda, though. Pa-pa-pa-pumpkins. Really enjoying the game. Love the sidequests. I replayed that opening scene in the Caribbean about a million times to see all the possible reactions of the characters. Kind of tired of the scenes with Lady...or at least I'm just tired of watching her walk silently/endlessy while Killer follows and gawks with his dopey slouch. And I wish the battle music didn't change in South America -_-

Oh, and I bought a complete copy of Koudelka on eBay for 24 bucks. Got all the disks, the manual, the case in excellent condition although a little cacked but I don't mind that at all. It just got here today, w00t. Now to buy the other games.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

There's a personal sidequest FAQ thread thing at GameFAQs that helped me out a lot. They don't really specify when some things can be done, or where they can be found (like enemies that drop certain coins for Mao, but that can be figured out easily on your own). But overall it's very helpful.

http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/gen...topic=26968102

I was speaking idiomatically.