This is actually a couple of weeks old, but I never bothered to post it. Whateva'!

A few weeks ago, I rented Shadow Hearts: From the New World, and got completely hooked. I cannot express my adoration for RPGs that contain a battle system that encourages you to, y'know, stay awake (I'm looking at YOOOU, Final Fantasy, and your mash-mash-mash the attack button ideals). Also prerequisite three-hours of power-leveling sucks, and yet I progressed through this game without ever having to go out of my way to fight (except if I wanted to get items/sidequest/etc) so thank you!

Plus, it's so incredibly, hilariously weird It takes place in America, in 1929, and yet there's even a Ninja!

So, about the pic, eh? This is Johnny, the protaganist from SH:FtNW, and also my favorite character! I wanted to do fan art for the game, but was having a hard time emulating the neat semi-realistic-yet-anime-esque style of the game, so I eventually said "forget it!" and went with my typical cutesy junk. Whether it looks good or not is up to you %D

I must say, I think it's too cutesy, especially the eyes; they're too big! X_X I don't really like the face in general, I suppose. I DO like the coloring! See, it's good to experiment with various Photoshop brushes!

If you're wondering about the camera he's holding (and the whole "say cheese!" title), it's based on one of his special moves. If you've played Paper Mario, it works like Goombario/Goombella's tattle ability, where you take a picture of the enemy and thus magically gain data on it (name/hp/mp/element/etc). I use those abilities a lot, as I find they're essential to my strategy! Knowing how much HP an enemy has remaining can be useful when deciding whether you can kill it next turn, or decide to wait and heal someone instead... maybe not a compelling example, but it works for me!

Also, it's worth (not really) mentioning that one of my favorite parts about Johnny's design is his hair. It naturally has that wonky strand that sticks up like that, and if you haven't noticed I have an affinity for drawing characters with hair that sticks up strangely in the back *points to renditions of self*. So I have a legitimate excuse, hoohah!

So, go out and play this game, 'kay? Kingdom Hearts has been getting all the love, so why don't you take a break from the norm and play something a little more off-kilter? (I actually rented KHII at the same time as SH, and clocked more hours on the latter. I mean, KHII is excellent and I adore the Disney themed worlds, but something about SH grabbed me and wouldn't let go ahh don't hit me! *hide*)