The greatest game that no one ever played.

User Rating: 9.5 | Shadow of Memories (Konami the Best) PS2
If you are looking for a white knuckled, balls-to-the-wall adventure full of fifty car pileups and massive explosions, then Shadow of Destiny is NOT the game for you. What you will find instead is a surreal, story-driven gaming experience like no other. You play as a character by name of Eike, who is murdered by an unknown foe at the beginning of the game. Eike then meets an enigmatic Homunculus who gives him the power to traverse time to stop his own demise. For instance, early on, Eike is poisoned by an assailant hiding inn a large tree. By traveling back in time, the player is able to suggest that the town erect a statue or plant a flower bed instead of the tree, thus the tree would no longer exist in the future, and the murderer would not be able to carry out his nefarious plot.

Each chapter begins with Eike meeting his maker in a new fashion, and thus he must continuously travel to various points in history, and in doing so learns many secrets involving the town itself and the citizens that call it home.

Unfortunately, most people will be turned off to Shadow of Destiny simply because, for a game centered around murder, it is neither action oriented or fast paced. Instead most gameplay centers around exploring the town in various time periods, interacting with many people along the way, and finding new ways to save your own skin. Many cut scenes and moments of long dialouge are found throughout the game, propelling the story continuously forward while momentarily slowing the pace at times.

Unfortunately, the game itself is not very long. It can most likely be played through in a little less than eight hours. However, this is offset by the fact that there are many different endings, all based on decisions you make throughout the game. Also, controls can be a little clunky at times, but really don't affect the overall gameplay very much.

Anyone who is looking for a break from the everyday, run of the mill gaming experience should at least give Shadow of Destiny a shot. Fans of games such as Indigo Prophecy will more than likely find the same satisfaction from this title as well.