Shadow Hearts Tips :

[Keys05]

Gonna try playing Shadow Heats
Any tips for beginners
Played Koudelka before is it the same gameplay?

 

[Mago]

I havent played Koudelka but im pretty sure the gameplay is very different. Shadow Hearts is more traditional jrpg combat but the gimmick is you have to stop a line spinning on a wheel in the right spot to hit or do more damage.

 

[Perseonn]

Very different. Koudelka is S-RPG-like, Shadow Hearts is CT-based (much like FFX) with timings to perform your attack. Shadow Hearts is also much much much easier than Koudelka.

Main problem: Shadow Hearts has a high encounter rate and no no-random-encounter cheat code (I've scoured the net for this, somebody please give me if you found one that works). The accessory to reduce encounter is very late-game. Consider running from enemy every here and then.

 

[Clippy]

Make sure to obsessively ram yourself into every nook and cranny of every screen while mashing X in order to find hidden items. I know that a speech bubble shows up next to your character when you're standing on a hidden item but I just find it easier to mash X.

In the first game especially being able to prevent status effects via accessories is key. Without spoiling much, that one optional boss in the first part of the game will tear you a new one if you don't equip stuff that prevents instant death. Speaking of accessories, early on you will be able to buy an accessory that increases money you get from random encounters. Get it as soon as you can because it's permanently missable past a certain point and you'll want all the money you can get to upgrade your weapons later on.

 

[Perseonn]

...that one optional boss in the first part of the game will tear you a new one if you don't equip stuff that prevents instant death...

Does this boss somehow make you traverse 12 constellation palace to... wait, wrong Shadow Hearts.

 

[MrFabulous]

I screwed myself pretty badly the first time I played Shadow Hearts, without going into spoiler details I would strongly recommend not unlocking or upgrading a new skill tree between bosses, only do it when you've got a little bit of breathing room.

 

[Stookymalarkey]

I would get used to the wheel mechanic as soon as possible, since it's used to determine the success/failure of all combat commands. I remember there's a bit of a delay between when you hit X and when the wheel stops, so be sure to keep that in mind.

 

[hazys]

I played through Shadow Hearts a couple years ago and had no major problems, nor did I need to grind. Yuri's fusions are key, especially if you do the sidequest that unlocks the ultimate one, at which point he can pretty much solo anything. Make good use of your rare items (don't hoard them all til the end).

Beware that the game has a handful of major sidequests you can easily miss, including one that unlocks the true ending.

 

[Keys05]

Make sure to obsessively ram yourself into every nook and cranny of every screen while mashing X in order to find hidden items. I know that a speech bubble shows up next to your character when you're standing on a hidden item but I just find it easier to mash X.

In the first game especially being able to prevent status effects via accessories is key. Without spoiling much, that one optional boss in the first part of the game will tear you a new one if you don't equip stuff that prevents instant death. Speaking of accessories, early on you will be able to buy an accessory that increases money you get from random encounters. Get it as soon as you can because it's permanently missable past a certain point and you'll want all the money you can get to upgrade your weapons later on.

Thanks a lot this is really helpful.
I just noticed that game is a trilogy.

Post automatically merged: Jan 23, 2025

I screwed myself pretty badly the first time I played Shadow Hearts, without going into spoiler details I would strongly recommend not unlocking or upgrading a new skill tree between bosses, only do it when you've got a little bit of breathing room.

This is what I want to avoid. Character/hero build in early game really helps. Most rpg games are like that.
Thanks for the warning.

Post automatically merged: Jan 23, 2025

Is there a Post game or a new game+?

 

[Clippy]

I just noticed that game is a trilogy.

The third game, From the New World, is barely connected to the first two. A few minor characters return but that's about it.

Is there a Post game or a new game+?

There's new game+. Tbh it doesn't change the experience much other than being able to cruise through early game thanks to all transformations being unlocked and a few other minor rewards. There is no post game per se but there are optional dungeons that are harder than the final boss iirc (it's been a while since I've played).