Shining Force

You might recall a while back, when SNES owners wished for a game like Shining Force (Genesis) and instead got a game called Fedo, developed by some of the same people who were responsible for Shining Force.

For those of you unfamiliar with the earlier game, Shining Force was a RPG/Simulation game in a style similar to military sims moving on grids. Feda had more RPG elements to it and the battle screen was similar, but didn't show your own character.The Saturn and PSX versions feature the obvious jump in graphics and sound, with the addition of cinema scenes.The story revolves around the main character who becomes disillusioned with the army he's fighting for.

It's not known at this point if the game will be ported over here, but it looks hopeful.

While Shining in the Darkness is quite new here, Sega/Falcom has already started on it's sequel called Shining Force. Shining Force contains the same great attention to detail as it's predecessor, and then some! First, it has been bumped up to 12 megabit! Second the animations, especially in the battle scenes have been greatly enhanced. Finally, the quest will resemble that of the Phantasy Star series, rather than taking place in a maze of dungeons!

You are a young fighter who has sworn to take on the evil Rune armies. Travel through strange and exotic lands, while trying to find allies to help you in your quest. The world of Rune abounds with mystery, as creatures of myth are now commonplace. Your battle won't be easy as many of these beings have taken to the darker side. But don't worry, you have the mystical powers of magic to aid you. This role-playing game combines with military strategy to create an adventure of epic proportions. But only those of stout heart can rise up and conquer the forces of darkness. Are you up to it?

OUR HERO

The main character is a master swordsman. After his mentor Varios was murdered by Cain, he has started the Shining Force in hopes of revenge. He is the only warrior who can handle the Sword of Light, hence the only one who can free the world from evil.

PREPARE FOR BATTLE!

Battles are a large part of this game, and you need to think out your strategy to survive. The basic rule of thumb is to have your strongest fighters close in on the enemy, with your healers close behind. Station your archers a short distance away, and bombard your opposition. If you have flying troops, use them to surround your foes. Keep this in mind, and you'll survive the toughest foes.

TOWNS

As you wander through the land of Rune in search of allies, you will encounter a variety of different towns. Each town has shops and other helpful places that are essential to your survival. You can find valuable information or even an addtion to your party in some towns! You can also save your game in the towns.

The Devil returns!

Rune is a huge land that separates the Eastern and Western continents, and is blessed with many countries, tribes and languages. Unfortunately, the people got accustomed to the utopia. In their complacency, they forgot about the Black Devil that had been sealed up by the people a thousand years ago.

The country of Gardiana, located in the West, has born a heir that is destined to inherit the guardianship of the seal handed down by the gods. In honor of this, the country has cultivated an atmosphere where discipline, tradition and honor are keys. Due to this, the spirit of the people has faded away.

On the Eastern continent, the strategist Daksol advances his plot to take over the forces and use the seal to release the Black Devil. As the first 12-Meg RPG on the market, this cart boasts of a long quest with over 23 power-ups, more than 16 different characters and two continents to explore!

The children of the original Shining Force are back to do battle in this completely new game that's chock full of new monsters, puzzles, wonders and excitement There are also 20 new spells to use on the way. This one should definitely be checked out!

This is a whole new game in the series and, to top it all off, you can play in your hands anywhere you want! The Sword of Hajya has been stolen. Can you get it back? Get this game. It's got what it takes!

Here's the real deal. Actually, this isn't just a Game Gear version of Shining Force. It's actually a completely new game in the Shining Force series, just in a hand held form - major coolness. If you're an RPG fan who owns a Game Gear, take heart, because at a stroke Sega has doubled the number of Game Gear RPG titles: there are now two (the other is Defenders of the Oasis, which isn't bad either). If you're a Shining Force fan (who isn't?), you should be drooling over the idea of being able to take the action with you!

Basically, the mystic Sword of Hajya has been stolen and you have to get it back. No big deal right? Except that there are whole armies standing in your way! As with the other Shining Force titles, the emphasis here is on unit combat involving dozens of opponents over a whole battlefield, instead of individual combatants duking it out for one fight.

Buy this one. It's got the goods.

The latest installment in Sega's fantasy tactical RPG series is actually a coupling of the Shining Force Gaiden and SFG2 which came out for the Game Gear. In making the jump from portable to CD-ROM, the two games have been entirely reprogrammed with vastly improved graphics, sounds, and enemy intelligence routines. It will essentially be a two-in-one game with extra special graphics.

The Japanese word 'Gaiden' translates as 'side story' - although related to the main story of the series, it does not actually constitute a part of it. For example, Shining Force Gaiden covers an adventure undertaken by the children and siblings of the heroes from the original Shining Force.

I'm hoping it will come out here. We sure could use more of these kinds of games that challenge the brains and not the reflexes. The original Shining Force did well. Why not bring it out over here?

In need of the ultimate portable RPG? If you have played Shining Force on the Mega Drive, you're in for a real treat!

Shining Force is coming to the Game Gear. Planned only for the Japanese market right now, this one is going to set the pace for future portable RPGs.

Return to the land of Gardiana, a once peaceful place until a wacko named Daksol stirred up rumors of plans to release the Black Devil from his sealed tomb.

The fighting sequences are amazingly well done with all the detail and animation that made the original a hit!

The four Meg masterpiece spans three continents and contains a battery back up so you can save your quest.

Sega's latest RPG quest is a standard hackfest with lots of adventuring. But gamers may wonder why Shining Force CD looks and feels no different than its Genesis predecessors.

Sleeping Beauty

Shining Force CD is an enhanced compilation of two Shining Force Game Gear games that were originally released in Japan, plus a new adventure. In the first adventure, the Guardiana Shining Force must travel the kingdom of Cypress to save Queen Anri, trapped in an eternal slumber cast by the wicked Woldol. The second quest takes place as Cypress and Guardiana join forces to hunt for and destroy King lom, who plans to resurrect a great evil. The gameplay is nothing new to Shining Force fans: You move from battle to battle, killing enemies and building experience while upgrading equipment. Tie well- fashioned battle gameplay requires strategic planning to succeed, and the inclusion of a difficulty setting adds a nice touch for RPG novices who aren't ready for the Shining glare.

Still Shining

Graphically, Shining CD carries the same luster as previous Forces. The overhead view doesn't depart from the established tradition, and the 3/4-overhead in-your-face battle view rules. Unfortunately, if you've played Shining Force I or II, you may be disappointed that nothing dramatically changed.

On the other hand, CD technology greatly improves on the sound. The music is inspiring and symphonic, and the effects exude more energy.

The small, confusing icon interface may take a little getting used to. The menus pop in and out way too fast, and hardly any spells can be used during battle. The game would have benefited from more spells, especially with the visual battle scenes.

Same Old Shine And Dance

Although Shining Force CD rates as an above-average game, old Shiners who are looking for something new won't find it here. If you're into simulations, though -- and you have a lot of patience -- you may want to shine your light this way.

Shining Force is a solid RPG that requires careful planning and maneuvering. While light on audio and visuals, it's one of the most complex games on the Genesis and a worthy sequel to its predecessor, Shining in the Darkness.

Like other Sega RPGs, the graphics are simplistic and somewhat bland, plus the sounds and music are only average. The game play is linear, but you'll get hours of role-playing from the countless ways you can set up your band of renegades.

Though the roam-and-seek portions of the game are fairly straightforward, Shining Force characters come across with a plethora of witty and humorous dialogue. The events and story add drama, and the strategic overhead-view battle sequences are exciting (if repetitive) and fairly easy to control. Shining Force won't dethrone the current king of Genesis RPGs, Phantasy Star II, but it's packed with enough quests and characters to satisfy your role-playing appetite.

Shining Force Strategy Guide

Raise the Dead

Revive members of the Shining Force with the Priest found in the Abbey of any town. Raising the dead is a costly process, but a worthwhile one. The cost of each character depends on the level of Experience the character is toting.

Circus Circus

At the Circus level, position two Healers offstage and move Lowe near your main hero. In this level, you must fight the Marionette, the most powerful boss found in the first eight levels of the game. Use your two Mages and your stronger characters against the puppet.

Hawkmen

Because they can fly and they have the greatest movement range, Amon and Balboroy are your two most valuable characters. While keeping your main hero out of the way, use them to attack the Laser Eye in Battle 11.

The Werewolf

Zylos is the Werewolf of shining Force. He can be found in Bustoke, in between battles nine and ten. From this point on, he's your most powerful character and relies only on his viciousness.

Blaze the Undead

The magic of Blaze does much damage to undead creatures, especially Zombies and Skeletons. Tao's Blaze Magic is especially effective, and she can acquire Level 2 Blaze at the fourth level of Experience! She'll then be on par with one of the strongest characters -- the Dark Mage.

Heal at all Costs

Heal your stronger characters, especially your main hero, as often as possible. Your Healers must actually heal your heroes to gain Experience Points. Your Healers can also pick up come easy XP by administering the coup de grace when a monster only has one or two health points left.

Battle of ring Reef

At the beginning of the Ring Reef Battle, you'll need to spread your characters out in three different directions. Healers should stay toward the middle, since Magical Spells work very well on this battle's monsters. Heal your party before fighting the Master Mage, then use Zylos to put the finishing touches on the Master.

CES will also herald the return of classic RPG gaming with a sequel to Shining in the Dark. Shining Force adds its own spin on the RPG genre, though. In this game, you begin with a ready-made band of mates and travel through the eight chapters, where you'll need to recruit more than 30 fighters. What's more, you actually get to keep experience points and any new levels gained when you die.