Developer
Sacnoth may have turned to H.P. Lovecraft's works for inspiration to
shape the imagery and haunting atmosphere of their latest game. At
once horribly beautiful and disturbing, Shadow Hearts' visuals,
cinemas and monsters evince a dream-like quality about them. Lurking
beneath the rendered facade, seeming hell threatens to break loose.
Paris 1913. A murder and subsequent haphazard
mutilation leads to a search for the slain man's missing daughter.
Fade. China 1913, one month later, we catch up with Aris Eliot on
board a train. She wields a sort of siren power which she puts to
use by tearing a Japanese soldier in two. Parallels to the Paris
murder are drawn. At this point, a character with a natty top hat
approaches Aris and tries to force her to return to Europe with him.
His name, Roger Bacon, may have found it's origin from the 12th
century philosopher and alchemist. A feathery-haired lad named
Urmnaf Borth Huyga (we call him Urmie...) comes to Aris' rescue and
spirits her away. The introduction of the game shows a dramatic
scene where Roger Bacon raises Aris from the ground in a hypnotic
sequence. Urmnaf rushes in, punches his fist through Bacon's left
eye and holds it there for a couple of seconds to enhance the
effect. He then lifts Aris and launches up into the air, silhouetted
by a full moon. The game plays similarly to other RPGs and a
Maken-esque feel encompasses the monsters and stylings. Special
attacks are rendered in exquisite detail but they might become
burdensome when viewed for the 100th time. Shadow Hearts looks
intriguing and diabolical, in other words, the perfect vehicle to
relieve the pangs for preternatural themes and action. |
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