Koudelka

Koudelka is a role-playing video game developed by Sacnoth and published by SNK for the PlayStation in 1999. It was later released in Japan in 2000. The game is set in the fictional world of Edilo, a land ravaged by a mysterious plague and inhabited by monstrous creatures. Players control Koudelka, a young woman with amnesia who awakens in a haunted mansion with a magical artifact.

The gameplay of Koudelka combines elements of traditional Japanese role-playing games with survival horror. Battles are turn-based and feature pre-rendered character models and backgrounds. The game is known for its dark atmosphere, mature themes, and relatively high difficulty. Koudelka also features animated cutscenes and a complex storyline that explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the nature of evil.

Koudelka received mixed reviews upon its release. While some critics praised its atmosphere, story, and graphics, others criticized its slow pacing, challenging combat, and occasional technical issues. Despite its mixed reception, Koudelka has gained a cult following over the years and is considered by some to be a unique and memorable entry in the RPG genre. It served as the prequel to the Shadow Hearts series, which continued the narrative and introduced new characters and gameplay mechanics.