A very underated RPG but yet one of the best RPGs on the PS2.
Graphics:
Compared to today's graphics. Shadow Hearts graphics isn't that bad at all. The characters are very nicely done. The background however may look a little blend sometimes. When does the background look blend?? Well, thats when you are in a field looking into the sky. You can see that they are not fully 3D. However, in the cities though the graphics are great. The CG in Shadow Hearts is not that good though compared to FFX. In any rate, Azure did a nice job on the graphics department.
Sound:
The music is not bad at all. It suits game, some musics though sounds a little like some of the musics in Legend of Dragoon. Not much to say about the sound, since there are not much voice-acting in the game.
Gameplay:
Here is where Shadow Hearts rocks even to this day. When you are in a battle, you don't just select your character, press attack and see them hit your enemies. You use the 'Judgement Ring' instead, kind of like the Dragoon Meter used in Legend of Dragoon. Infact this makes the game very interesting, you have to tap the X button at a certain time. If not, you will not attack your enemies. Don't worry though, its very easy to learn with a little bit of practise. The sidequests, puzzles and other stuff when you are not fighting also uses the Judgement Ring as well.
The Judgement Ring is infact one of the most original ideas I've seen in an RPG game. It isn't anything revolutionary, but it does add alot of fun when you are in a battle.
BUy it oR renT IT??
Shadow Hearts is a very underated RPG game. Azure first intentions on this game was to fight FFX's greatness on the PS2 back then. However, they pretty much failed because of the amount of fanboys in the FF camp. If you really are an RPG gamer, atleast give this game a shot.