PS Plus might be getting PS2 RPG trilogy Shadow Hearts

A series of beloved PS2 games called Shadow Hearts has had its trademarks refiled by Universal Entertainment, suggesting it could be on the PS Plus Premium tier alongside other PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP classic games.

Gematsu spotted the trademark listing thanks to a Twitter user named @sami_oddyssey. The listing was picked up by a Chizai Watch auto-posting from the J-PlatPat trademark disclosure.

PS2 RPG series Shadow Hearts trademark filed by Universal Entertainment

Universal Entertainment Corporation (formerly Aruze Corporation, publisher of Shadow Hearts) has only filed a trademark for the term Shadow Hearts. The three-game RPG series ran from 2001 to 2005 on PS2. Interestingly, the games were preceded by a PS1 RPG called Koudelka which was released in 1999 — for which there is no trademark as of yet, though it could fall under the Shadow Hearts brand. This first entry launched to mixed reviews as it was released over the course of the following year globally.

The first game in the PS2 trilogy — Shadow Hearts — was released in 2001 to average critical reception. It was followed in 2004 by Shadow Hearts: Covenant which got more praise than Koudelka and the first game, something developers Sacnoth would have appreciated given how much development time they put into the title using fan feedback. Finally, Shadow Hearts: From The New World was released in 2005 but without quite the same critical or commercial buzz around it.

Gematsu reported that in March 2021, a representative of Universal Entertainment told the outlet that Shadow Hearts wasn't in any kind of active development for a “remake, sequel, or the introduction of game machines using its characters or stories.” With the announcement of the new PlayStation Plus Premium tier which includes classic PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP games, however, it is possible that Shadow Hearts might be making its way back.

Two other similar behind-the-scenes alterations have happened recently, suggesting the names of other games on the service. First, the Syphon Filter games were rated in Korea, suggesting they might be about to get rereleased in some form. Then, five other old PlayStation games were listed on the PSN backend.

It is vital to stress, however, that one is not like the others. A trademark filing can be made just to retain the name of a series, rather than to do anything actionable with it. In any case, it is curious timing. What do you think of the news? Were you a big fan of these back in the day? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by Kes Eylers-Stephenson

Editor Kes is our resident expert in PlayStation and Sony news. He writes about PS5 games like LEGO Horizon Adventures, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Kingdom Come Deliverance II, Concord, and Death Stranding 2 using experience from years of PlayStation gaming. He also covers PS Plus news, as well as his favorite games — The Witcher 3, God of War, and The Last of Us — before an evening swim.