The JRPG You Never Knew, But Should [Shadow Hearts] 

Quite possibly my favorite series. Koudelka and the first two shadow heart games were great. The third shadow heart game wasn't bad but it just doesn't have the same darker atmosphere and feeling of the first three games. It's awesome seeing more and more people finding this hidden gem.

Don't mind the weird endscreen, I was trying something new and RU-vid's endscreen system was not having it. Next time! Also this took 5+ hours to render so I'm going to save you from having to wait for that for the sake of an endscreen. :p

Discovered the series near the end of the PS2 life cycle when my, at the time, girlfriend grabbed it from a bargain bin and said "This looks cool" while I was buying some other AAA game that I can't even remember. Binged the entire series with her. Such a fantastic series!

Best JRPG series ever made. First and second games are just so good and emotional. Gameplay really engages you with the judgement ring mechanic and the original soundtrack is outstanding in every game! I love so much Shadow Hearts

The dollhouse was such a fun side quest too, I love this game

Shadow Hearts was and is my favorite game. It's such a unique take on the turn-based RPG, and both this and Covenant have such a beautiful story

I actually enjoyed the way Sea Mother told Li Li's story. To me this sounds exactly like the style and voice an old grandmother would use when entertaining the little ones with a ghost story whilst also keeping them laughing :)

I ran into this game by accident when I was younger. I bought it when it was cheap because I wanted a jrpg to play so I took a chance. My brother and I loved it, toughed out Koudelka (the prequel) and enjoyed the absolute hell out of Covenant. This was the greatest gem on PS2. Also, we don't talk about Shadow Hearts 3.

I'm always here to listen anyone talk about my favorite game, Shadow Hearts. I remember my older brother playing it when we were young, and I tried to play it but was too scared (the cannibals man.....they scare me). I did play it again during my pre-Nursing school days and I remember how much I loved the characters and their interaction (the villians too), the monster designs, the music, etc. ahhh...I never finished the game since my computer kept crashing, but hopefully I'll finish it

Adding to the conversation like this years after these games were released is really cool and hard to pull off, great video as always

I absolutely love Shadow Hearts. The second game's ending moved me to tears, it was definitely an unforgettable experience.

omg 😄😄😆😭thank you very much for taking the time to cover this beautiful saga, I really enjoyed your video thanks for doing it justice, shadow hearts has a very special place in my heart it is one of my favorite games, it hurts me a lot that it has been forgotten and not be recognized as you deserve it

I had no idea this game occurred after the events of Koudelka. Thank you again for such a brilliant analysis.

This was one of my favourites growing up. Never realised how awkward and goofy the voice acting was. I always remember it as a super serious and dark horror jrpg. This was a real trip down memory lane. Amazing video. I dont remember if i ever saved Alice in the graveyard fight. But i do remember following a playstation magazine guide to get the Seraphic Radiance Fusion. Cant imagine how anyone would ever know how to do some of these things other than by accident 😅 Edit: I do remember loving Covenant as well, and how the characters and game connects... Never got a chance to play the 3rd game or Koudelka.

Oh Shadow Hearts. The game with terrifying monsters and even more terrifying voice acting

I love that reading item descriptions unlocks things. That is amazing.

playstation 2 have so many hidden gems, like drakengard, or valkyrie profile.

Shadow Hearts is a perfect encapsulation of the PS1/PS2 era where you could pick a random game out of a shelf that you never heard of and end up with a classic (or shovelware). Shadow Hearts is absolutely my all times favorite JRPG, and while this might not be the popular opinion, the first game is my favorite. Lovecraftian/Fantasy Horror RPG's are a niche genre that I'd love to see more of. I'm glad I own the entire franchise, Koudelka included. The creator is supposedly making a new game, can't wait to see what that will be.

I'm so happy that you covered this game! Hands down, to this day, it's still one of my favorite JRPGs of all time, so much so that, every few years, I come back to it and play through the whole thing again.

This was such a great structure of explaining the game and telling the story. I loved loved loved these games so much and you definitely did this one justice. Great video, I wouldn't change a thing.

There's a certain pastiche of games from this era that always gave me a similar vibe to what you described in the end. Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, Dark Cloud, Drakengard... I'd even throw in the Kingdom under Fire series, because of their dark story, rich characters, and open-ended design. Indeed, this style is harder to find nowadays, Nier Automata being the first and only to spring to mind easily, but I hope we'll get some new games in this shadow genre soon.

Would love to see the other two Shadow Hearts games done in this style. Thanks for this! Shadow Hearts is so underappreciated.

Glad to see a well-made, thorough video on this game! I have always been curious about Shadow Hearts, but never got around to playing it. Great video, thanks!

I can't believe you're not in the 100k subs range, your content is well written, funny, interesting and edited, thank you for your work!

Amazing. The perfect followup to the Koudelka vid. Thank you! ^^

Shadow hearts and covenant are some of my favourite games of all time!

Im really glad that you made this video. Can't wait to watch the next

Ah, I remember this game! A very fun, very weird JRPG. I played it on rental in the olden times, but I don't recall ever finishing it. The ring attack mechanic was pretty unique, but not completely original. Legend of Dragoon had a similar combat mechanic of timed attacks both in normal combat; you would hit square or triangle with specific timing, and enemies could occasionally try to parry; in which you'd hit circle. Then you had a Dragoon mode, which had attack timing rings much more similar to Shadow Hearts. Offhand I don't know which game came first, but one or the other had reminded me of the other.

I'm really glad you went over this game. Its one of my favorite games of all time and I still play it every year! Beautiful video for a beautiful game. :)

Ayyy i cant believe you talked about this gem, it suits your content really well too :)

Love the formats of your more recent videos!

What an awesome review! Thank you so much!

Saw the advertisement for the first Shadow Hearts game on the TV screen at a Gamestop in 2002. it was being advertised for the PS2, which was still in it's early days then. It was the opening cinematic, with not only stellar animation that was ahead of it's time, but actual voiceovers. It took me another 8 months to learn the name of the game. It was the fifth PS2 game I ever bought, and gave me a lot of fun adventures when I was at my first duty station. Those were the days!

This is a game that I, sadly, missed out on. The character designs, the world, monsters, everything seems different from other JRPGs. I'd love to play it. Honestly, hearing the cheesy voice acting makes it seems even more fun to me. The anime humor is a major selling point as well.

The one thing I wanted to mention. During the voiceover in Shanghai burning cutscene, I always thought it was kawashima doing the voice over. Because she didn’t see yuri again and died sometime after the event. Plus the voice seemed more fitting for kawashima than for Alice, it was more aged/experienced instead of high and innocent. Just my 2 cents.

Ahh yes, when Jinzee was just a little bird, her & her birdbro did indulge in the purchase of a PlayStation 2, and furthermore the purchase of Shadow Hearts.

I have beaten Koudelka and SH 2 in the past. I never got a chance to finish the first game, but I found a copy recently and I am about halfway through finishing it. I love this series and your video was great!

Glad the algorithm got me here, defenitly a new favorite channel

I'm loving this series tbh! I would love for you to talk about other ps1/ps2 jrpgs in the future (I'm especially partial to Legend of Legaia but thats just me)

Wow! You look amazing! Love the top. Would absolutely buy that for myself. As usual, the skits are life. I never get tired of your sense of humor. 👍😁🥰

Great video! Subscribed!

Subscribed after two minutes. This is a dream come true... I can't wait to watch the rest of this (Shadow Hearts 1&2 are some of my most beloved jrpgs and games in general, and they are so underappreciated), so far I love everything about your style, especially the accent.... lol just overjoyed to have found your channel, I'm sure I will watch a lot more than just this video : ) edit: Yes that was great fun... I love the little dress-up skits, reminds me of Counterpoints, lol. Looking forward to watching more of your videos. It is really wonderful to find someone who connects to this game like I do... I just watched Majuular's recent video on it and was very confused by his lack of appreciation for so much of it... and trying to watch SuperButterBuns playthrough is a nightmare because she latches onto a few of the anime-esque jokes and writing at the very beginning and plays the rest of the game with insane "Yuri is an incel" goggles on and can't appreciate anything good that is happening... I suppose I can take solace in knowing that not everyone can connect with and appreciate what this game and its sequel and prequel do... and it's wonderful to have found a lovely girl who does appreciate all the good things about it.

Thank you so much for making a video about this very special series (minus From the New World)! If I may request...please make one about Covenant and how the ending and the first game may connect! Great work, also love the deadpan sarcastic humor. More of this combo of humor needs to be done!

I rented this when I was about 12 years old when it first came out and fell in love with the game. I played all the shadow hearts games several times as a teenager. I was able to grab a copy on eBay a couple years ago and I’ve since played it twice through as an adult. The game was dark and adult with really good black humor in it too. Super underrated and game and I really enjoyed hearing your take on the game. I’ve never met anyone else in real life who’s ever played these gems

I like the atmosphere of this game so much. Horror, creepy, mythology, gothic.. and the battle system rocks! that was 17 yrs ago lmao

And this is why i absolutely love RU-vid. There is no way I would have learned any of this stuff. Thank you and I am now subscriber. I love everything about this video. Thank you.

My first rated M game. This game is very special to me since its different from your usual JRPG. The horror and dark elements is what made it unique I also love yuri's relationship with alice. Its written very well

The new spiritual successor of Shadow Hearts series is in development by Shadow hearts creator, and is called Penny Blood. Potentially this could open up the doors to a Shadow Hearts remake or remaster HD in the future.

Shadow hearts is my favorite JRPG. The fusions, The judgement ring, story, Characters everything about this game was great. I got my copy from a cousin then picked up covenant and from the new world as they came out. I am super excited for the spiritual successor Penny Blood. Everyone should play it emulate it if you cant afford it.

I remember buying this game when I saw a review of it in the PSM magazine waaaay back in the day (well, 2003). I played it and instantly fell in love with it; I loved the mature but whimsical vibes of it, and I loved the horror vibes that it gave off. It was one of the first games where I actually wanted to 100% it and complete every side quest. It and the 2nd game are on my top 5 favorite JRPGs off all time. I still haven't played Koudelka though, I don't know if I want to from what videos I've seen of the battles.

Usually, I don't watch these kinds of videos, but I was searching for Shadow Hearts video while trying to help someone find an old obscure game on reddit and all I can think of is Shadow Hearts, mostly because of the sewer stage description they gave. And I never see any youtubers talking about this game, hell, I'm not even sure lots of people know this game even exist in the first place. Not gonna lie, I cried a bit. This is my first "weird" games as well, and the first and last game I played with my brother, well he played and I watched. It's such a shame we can't get at least a remake or port of this game I'm sorry for the long-ass comment and thank you for the video, you just got yourself a new subscriber

I love this seires i still play to this day at times.So glad more youtubers/streamers are covering this hidden gem. It was just ahead of its time and maybe just maybe if we can get the hype up enough we just might see a true sequel to shadow hearts 2.

I played this for the first time several years ago and played it 3 Octobers in a row. Some knock it for kind of simple gameplay outside of the JR, and graphics, but I actually love the prerendered graphics. Great review and stoy summary! After 3 playthroughs, there were still a couple of things I didn't fully pick up on that you pointed out and wrapped up for me!

Great video, enjoyed it!

I've heard about this game a lot but never did the research for it, however after this video it definitely piqued my interest ! The PS2 genuinely had so many underrated gems and seeing a remaster of this and games like Kuon by From Software would be great. Love the atmosphere and mechanics in this despite it being somewhat dated to play lol. Regardless amazing work as always Jinzee !

loved this series- I'm surprised at the lack of people talking about it.

my favourite game ever made, great video~!

Brilliant vid!

Awesome work keep it up 👍

Awesome video about one of the greatest games(series) ever created! 👏👏👏

Good thing that Shadowhearts is very easy to emulate on most computers and readily available on the internet to play!! That's how I've been playing it and it's such a hoot. I'm playing it on 1440p at 60fps and I absolutely love the experience. Incredible game!! Thanks for highlighting this game! It deserves to be played more 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

my favorite game since the original released. picked it up randomly at a store after the case cover spoke to me and fell in love instantly. can't wait for Penny Blood!!!!

Hell yeah this is my 4 a.m snack, watching a recent Shadow Hearts review

Extremely Underrated I agree! Shadow Hearts is a thing of Beauty indeed!

I loved this game and the second one. Just delightful from beginning to end. Can we talk about how amazing the soundtracks are too? Hoping you do videos on the second and third games!

Loved the video and the enthusiasm, watched till the and and subbed. Shadow Hearts 1 and 2 are some of my favourite games of all times. And Yuri is the best protagonist I could ask for. I actually played the second first and after some hours in I looked after the first one so to have the full experience

I read about this game years ago but never take the time to investigate about it, guess it's kind of a micracle to see your video of koudelka as a recommendation (THANKS A LOT RU-vid) and now after seen all the video and of course the spoiler parts I stil want to play this game sooo much, thank you for bringing us this hidden gems jinzee, i would like to see a video of shadow hearts 2

Looks cool, thanks for sharing! 🙆‍♀️

Thank you SO MUCH for covering Koudelka and Shadow Hearts! These games came to me at a very dark time in my life and I definitely wouldn't be here today without Shadow Hearts 1. This series has influenced my beliefs and who I became-- and it will always have a very special place in my heart. I hope you cover Covenant eventually (although I didn't love it as much as SH1) as I'd love to hear your thoughts. P.S. Shout-out to everyone who was in the Shadow Hearts LiveJournal community in like... 2005/2006. xD

I loved the combat system in this game! It mixed it up which was refreshing after so many JRPG excursions.

Even with the spoilers you sold me on this game, I would try it immediately if I wasn't overburned with RPGs right now! This is a series I saw being mentioned and I wanted to try it! PS2 Era has so many charming games! They were really open in new ideas and mechanics! 😭

I was part of the QA team for the American release for part 1 and 2. I loved the judgement ring mechanic. Fun fact, the train scene when top hat buy gets punched in the face, Yuri's fist actually went through his face. For some reason they wanted to sensor it for the state's so you don't see it happen. That's why there's that white flash. Japan version still shows it correctly.

Porbably my fav SH1 review so far. :)

I actually think this one is better than Covenant; the atmosphere is great, the story is a bit more "contained", so to speak, and it also has a kinda Buffy/X-Files monsteroftheweekiness to it. Koudelka is my favourite, though!

New here, enjoying your videos and I'm subscribed. Love your sens of style! Lol Played this game as a child, a very young child lol, only got so far as the village, and I could never remember much of this game, bit it never left me. Flew In the face of everything I know, and possibly had a very large impact on my personality. This game is very 'me' lol

This game, like DEFINED my childhood-- I'm sure you couldn't tell by my name. I'm glad its been getting the recognicition it has deserved all these years later. I'm like the Uber Shadow Hearts fan and I'm still holding out for the day I could have have remake or a remaster of this precious game.

Shadow hearts, sold my copy way back, but some years back i got lucky and my sister found it at the game store which was selling it for €20,-. If only that store knew what the game was worth. This game actually stood the test of time considering its already 20 years old.

You are great! I love this game! ❤

One of my favorite JRPGs of all time. It has the same status for me as legend of dragoon. I have only love for that treasures.

This is one of many my favorite games! Anyway i just finished this game AGAIN last week(for nostalgia). For who not been ever play this game before, i recommend you, and try to get Seraphic Radiance fusion! It's super cool!

gameplay 10 graphics 10 story Superb

Going into this video, all I know about this game is 1. It has a historical setting, I think? 2. Its music was written by Yasunori Mitsuda, who's more famous for the soundtrack to a little game called Chrono Trigger.

The thought of finding this game in a bargain bin while I had to get my copy for twice the retail price on Ebay hurts my heart lol! It has no business in a bargain bin 🤣 The love story between Yuri and Alice is one of my all time favorites ❤️

I loved it when my brother and I were wondering how to unlock the last ability for the final forms of the transformations for Yuri and you had to let yourself go insane and your demon form will use the skill and it would be unlocked permanently. It was nuts. Sadly our first play through we missed the chance to unlock the most powerful transformation Dark Seraphim

Shadow Hearts was such a good series. There needs to be a fan remake

Hell yes. This game is such a wonderful gem. I loved all its installments

Another series in the current game developer arc of 'Fuck It, I'll do it Myself!'. Wild Arms and Shadow Hearts guys doing a Kickstarter for Spiritual Successors to both. In one Kickstarter.

Great video. Makes me want to go back and replay shadow hearts again. I tried going through the whole series again recently, and ended up stopping midway through covenant because the writers just...really hated the female lead, and it was painful to watch. We don't really need the full series though. Honestly the first game is amazing as a standalone game, and it holds up shockingly well for a game with as many perverted jokes as it has.

Albert is quite a sad figure in that, seeing all the powerful villains who thought they knew exactly what the world needed and only they could provide, turned into another, even more powerful villain who thought he knew exactly what the world needed that only he could provide.

JRPGs are my bread and butter. I’ve played some amazing ones (Final Fantasy, Megaten, Tales of, Grandia etc) but Shadow Hearts is and will always be my favorite JRPG. Also the item you mentioned is Mind’s Eye 😉

I love these games, finally playing From the New World. The series definitely has its up and downs but I have enjoyed it over all. Wish more people knew about it

I'm glad I played this game. What an experience indeed

The only one i played as a kid was the one with the blonde kid and the busty native girl who can shape into the different gods and stuff. It was such a fun jrpg

(Reposted my earlier comment on a different channel) I think it's interesting to see, that so far no ytube reviewer/ analyst of SH1 realized that Margarete is actually Mata Hari (Margaretha Geertruida MacLeod (née Zelle)), though different in appeareance and demeanor

Omg the memories they coming back , this game i never finishes it i rented it from xtra vision 5 times but could never finished it

I forgot this game was a thing, I remember borrowing it from a friend for a while but never finished it. Its was surprisingly good but also remember very little about it

True gamer. Right here. For sure.

YES! SHADOW HEARTS FORERVER! did you hear about the Penny Blood Kickstarter by the creator of Shadow Heart!?

Loved these games as a teen

Shadow hearts.... Man, I miss that game. My brother picked it up full price when it first came out. He had *no idea* what it was, but he thought I'd like it. I kinda blew it off initially, but I eventually gave it a shot a few weeks later and I was hooked. Honestly, that first haunted village was really striking. When I confronted Dehui, I thought the game was over and I was like "Eh, that was kinda short". But the game continues and, I think, get's even better in the second act. Shadow hearts two, I was less fond of. Structurally, over all, it was probably better- but I miss the heavy horror elements.