This is arguably the best RPG on the PS2.
Graphics:
Midway did a really awesome job in the graphics department. Producing one of the BEST looking RPG games on the PS2. The character models are fully 3D as well as the backgrounds. Infact, the game is fully 3D opperational. I didn't find any jaggies on the characters and not even any pasted graphic on them. The characters move fluidly with extremely well done facial expressions as well. Double big thumbs up to Azure in the graphics department.
Sound:
The voice acting is solid stuff. There are so many jokes and humor when they speak. Alrite, what pulls the game down a little is the music. Every time you go to town, the music is the same. The first Shadow Hearts have a vast array of music for each particular town, but how come Covenant doesn't? I don't know, but it feels kind of repetitive listening to the same thing. The battle music as well is not totally improved, a bit of remix here and there then you get the boss music. Still though, they sounds pretty good.
Gameplay:
The "Judgement Ring" returns once again to Shadow Hearts: Covenant. Down right its definitely an interesting aspect while in a battle. You will use the judgement ring ALOT, infact you will even use it while buying/selling items to get discount/overprice. Meaning a succesful sweep on the ring will get you a discount rate/overprice on the item(s) you wanna buy/sell. Playing mini-games as well requires you to use the judgement ring. Sure it takes a while to master it, but when you do its fun. There are some new features in Covenant, such as enhancing your judgement ring, and the all new combo system.
The combo system will allow one of your character to join up with another character to fight. For example, Yuri combos to Karin. Then you can command Karin to attack a monster, when that attack is done then its Yuri's turn to attack. With this combo system, you can rack up devastating tons of damage on a boss easily rather than a 1-person attack. Another thing is that the characters move arround in battle now. So its no more the "attack-and-return-to-original possition" feature. This makes the battle a little more real.
Story:
The story is practically following after 1 year later of the original story plot line, with our main character, Yuri back. Covenant is set at the scene in the beginning of World War One. Karin a soldier who is raiding a church to rid off of a demon protecting the village. But the plan backfired when she notices that Yuri isnt a bad guy, and the story picks up from here. Just like the original, the story is indeed interesting and captures light moments with the gamer, although the game itself is pretty much a serious content, gamers will be treated with Yuri and the other characters jokes antics and many funny dialogs throughout the game.
BuY iT oR rEnT iT?
Any Shadow Hearts fan of the original should get this game. Its a direct sequel and the story is really good this time around. Even if you are not a Shadow Hearts fan, you should get this game no doubt if you are an RPG gamer.