threetimes's Shadow Hearts From the New World review

After playing and loving Shadow Hearts 1 and 2 (and Koudelka) I couldn't think why I couldn't get into this game, despite the same enjoyable battle system being in place, but you've nailed it. The characters were so bland that it was just impossible to care about their little adventure, and the change in setting did not work for the series. Also what was up with Killer and Lady? I never got far enough in to find out what their deal was.

Yeah, I know a few people who just couldn't finish the game they hated it so much after the others. And Killer's motivation and history is never explained, although you do find out about Lady. Major spoilers stuff.

And thanks. I pared this down a lot to try and keep it focussed. Left out all the stuff about how Johnny sucked, literally.

This is the only SH game I've been able to get hold of, and I enjoyed it (though I haven't replayed it), so it's interesting to me that the previous games are superior. The problem is they're kind of hard to obtain.

Yes, they are, but worth the effort. Just avoid buying the strategy guide to SHC as it's probably the worst guide ever produced. Full of errors, no maps, all round rubbish.

Yeah I finished this game because I'm a big fan of the series too, but this one is a real letdown. You explained it very well why. Sure, it's loads of fun to play, in fact the gameplay is probably the best out of all the games...can't argue that. But it just doesn't have that charm and feel of the other games, which is why I liked them to begin with. Instead, seems to me like a juvenile collection of dumbass humor and a buncha crap I can't take seriously. I didn't like how it didn't connect to the mythos of the series...well, I guess Roger Bacon was there...or whatever that old dude name's was, I forgot. But eh. Awesome review. :)
Also, Lady and Killer (wow, nice names there guys) are not Yuri and Alice, damnit. XD