Introduction

This site was originally written with the idea that most of its visitors would be familiar with at least one of the Shadow Hearts games. Then I realized like, five people on the internet have ever played them. Consider this your crash course introduction to a world of secret societies, steampunk, and man porn.

"find yo... reas... fo...living..."

It is 1913 and Europe is stepping closer to the beginning of the first World War. A young woman is held captive by the Japanese army on a train in mainland China. She is kidnapped by a well-dressed English gentleman calling himself the warlock Roger Bacon only to be saved by a nameless rude hero with the forbidden power of fusion. Together, the two start a journey that will take them through China and Europe to learn of Roger Bacon's intentions, the identity of a mysterious voice, and their purpose for being.

The Shadow Hearts series is set in an alternate world with a "secret" history. Monsters roam commonplace and magic is very possible. But the setting of the series won't tell you much about its personality. Shadow Hearts can be dark and gruesome as well as witty and perverted. Many of its elements fit securely in the Lovecraft section of horror while its humor can occasionally be found scrawled on bathroom stalls in high schools the world over.

The series consists of four games, three with "Shadow Hearts" in the actual title and one prequel that has earned honorary membership. Koudelka was released for the Playstation console in 1999 in Japan and 2000 in other regions. It follows a young woman named Koudelka Isanat and two men as they investigate the cursed Nementon Monastery. Characters, items, and places introduced in Koudelka later reappear in the Shadow Hearts games.

Yuri appears in the first and second installments in the main line. Shadow Hearts follows him as he adventures with Alice Elliot in which he alternately protects and makes sleazy passes at her. Shadow Hearts: Covenant is set six months after the first and begins with Karin Koenig, a member of the German army, as she leads her troops into the small village of Domremy. Their forces are wiped out by a huge winged demon, later revealed to be Yuri. After Alice's death, he decided to protect the village until died.

The first Shadow Hearts was released in 2001 to muted applause having been overshadowed by Square-Enix's Final Fantasy X. Covenant was released in 2004 and both are on the Playstation 2 console. While a copy of the first may be difficult to find at your local gaming store, it should be possible to find a decently priced copy online. Covenant is quickly going in the same direction. While playing the first before the second is a good idea, I don't think it's necessary to enjoy what Covenant has to offer.

The fourth and sadly final game is Shadow Hearts: From the New World. Unlike the previous games, it is set in the Americas. Roger Bacon and the good ol' Emigre Manuscript appear but since the main character isn't Yuri this site won't be mentioning it much. Copies of this game are much easier to find and though hardcore fans of the series seem to have shunned it, I find it enjoyable.