Shining Force

"Faded Shine"

Shining Force is a TBS\RPG developed by Camelot Software Planning. It is quite a popular game, especially for the people that like console TBS games. I must say I've enjoyed it, since it is somewhat addicting for a while, but since I want to be fair I've gotta say that it's not a game worth spending money on. Read on to know why…

Story: 2/10
Presentation: 2/10

The game starts with an intro saying something about the Dark Dragon, (can't they find a better name for Christ's sake?), who has been sealed by a spell or something. Then the game starts with you, the protagonist training in your city as a young soldier. Suddenly, (WHOA!!!), something happens and you're given the order to gather some troops and go check a temple in the east. This turns out to be the sealed cell of the Dark Dragon and it seems that some evil dudes have come to set him free. Sooooooooo, you kill them and from there on there is no actual plot and no character development. We have you, a bunch of other guys following you and some heroes that'll join you later… and you start killing stuff… the end!

Graphics: 6.8/10
Design: 6/10

The graphics of Shining Force are decent to good but they lack that special something a game should have and especially a fantasy one. Sprites and all areas are well designed but look so… dull. For example grasslands, mountains and finally a bunch of ancient temples of no significance. A fantasy game needs wonderful and unique areas that help the game stand out and not look so boring. The only thing that looks good are the battle mini-cutscenes when commanding your units to attack, where you see your characters as larger and more detailed sprites.

Sound: 5/10
Music: 5/10

Nothing special can be said about the sound\music section of the game. The sound effects are the typical RPG fanfare and the music is just… there, something that is bad for me since Music is a very important part of a game and especially a RPG.

Gameplay: 5.5/10
Replay Value: 2/10

Shining Force was for me a game that was good while it lasted but it isn't actually special, not to mention a bit overrated. The plot was rubbish and a game like this needed a good plot, but what about the fun from playing it? In this game you wonder around talking to people, buying equipment, find more recruits for your army of heroes and of course fight. Let me show you why this game isn't so good by describe each mentioned part of the game. Talking with NPCs offers the typical RPG conversations, “Nice weather!”, or “Don't talk to me I'm busy!!!”, or the “plot” dialogues like, “There is a legend about a evil dragon that will rise and kill us!”… Sorry but this isn't actually enjoyable in my book. Equipment? You buy stuff in towns, with each town offering a bit stronger items than the previous ones. There aren't any special items in the game, no poison daggers, no ice armor, no nothing.

The game is a TBS, so you select a number of heroes from your small army that will fight the next battle with you and move on. After going into battle you command your units what to do. Since this is a turn-based game you can move your troops for a limited distance, (depending on the terrain), you can attack from certain distances and after your move the enemy move just like a chess game. When attacking an enemy unit the screen changes to an automated cutscene where you see your hero fighting the enemy. The battles are the only thing worthy in this game and although the game is very easy there is some strategy involved. Selecting which troops will accompany you is very important since each hero has his own speed, attack and magical cons and pros. Heroes gain experience by killing enemies but since each battle takes place only once in order to level up you have to escape from battle, restart it and kill enemies once again and repeat as many times you want… boriiiiiing! The biggest problem this game has is the fast that it gets repetitive pretty fast and secondly and most importantly that it is the MOST LINEAR GAME EVER!!! Not extra missions, no secrets, nothing! You fight, go in a town, fight, go in the next town, fight, etc.

Positives:
-The battles

Negatives:
-100% linear and a bit repetitive
-Plot is almost non-existing

Also Play:
Fire Emblem (NES)
Shining Force 2 (Mega Drive)

Overall: 4.3/10

It's an ok game but why just play an ok game when there are far better ones out there. Just avoid wasting your time in this, I've enjoyed it in my first playthrough but who needs a strategy game that is worthy of being played only once?

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 05/26/09

Game Release: Shining Force (US, 03/19/92)