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Shadow Hearts: From the New World

Review · Adventure · PlayStation 2

Shadow Hearts: From the New World

Reviewed: 01 May 2026

PlayStation 2

Nootilus · 2005

Ludograph rating

A

Recommended

77 /100

Automated review

Shadow Hearts: From the New World is an RPG that encourages problem-solving and strategic thinking, containing moderate fantasy violence and supernatural themes.

06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 65 · R 6
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

65

Risk (RIS)

6

Daily limit

120min

Age guidance

13+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.88
B2Social-emotional
0.40
B3Motor
0.45

Shadow Hearts: From the New World offers a rich, story-driven RPG experience that encourages problem-solving, strategic thinking, and critical analysis through its narrative and combat systems. Players will develop memory and attention skills tracking quests and lore, while engaging with diverse characters and ethical dilemmas. The game provides a compelling adventure that fosters learning and adaptation.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.13
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.00

The game contains moderate fantasy violence and some elements of fear/horror due to its supernatural themes and monster encounters, consistent with its Teen rating. While it is a single-player experience with no direct social risks or monetization pressures, players should be aware of the content themes.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
0.67
R4.2Sexual Content
0.33
R4.3Language
0.33
R4.4Substance References
0.00
R4.5Fear / Horror
0.67

Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.

Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria

  • DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
  • GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
  • ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.

These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.

ReviewedMay 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Shadow Hearts: From the New World safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Shadow Hearts: From the New World a rating of 77/100, recommended for ages 13 and up. It scores well on developmental benefits with manageable risks.

What age is Shadow Hearts: From the New World appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 13+ for Shadow Hearts: From the New World, based on benefits, risks, and content review.

How long should kids play Shadow Hearts: From the New World?

Our session recommendation for Shadow Hearts: From the New World is up to 120 minutes per day. It is derived from the game's own structure (natural stopping points, compulsion-loop design, monetization pressure, and social dynamics), not from a universal screen-time dose.

Session recommendations are design-based heuristics. Evidence linking specific daily durations to child outcomes is limited, and context matters as much as time; treat this as a starting point for household rules, not a clinical threshold.

What are the main risks of Shadow Hearts: From the New World?

The game contains moderate fantasy violence and some elements of fear/horror due to its supernatural themes and monster encounters, consistent with its Teen rating. While it is a single-player experience with no direct social risks or monetization pressures, players should be aware of the content themes.