Shining Force

"Shining force sets a new standard of RPG games"

Shining Force is indeed, a remarkable game. It has a lot to offer in gameplay. If i had to pick the greatest game on the Sega Genesis, it would be this one no doubt.

STORY: The story kinda sux. But its goo enough to keep you playing. Not really a whole lotta depth though. If i had to pick a bad part about this game it would be the story.

ENTERTAINMENT: As a gamer, i say this is the most important factor in a game. Shining Force has loads of entertainment.
You plan your strategy, take out the enemy, move on. That may seem pretty boring but trust me, the strategy is something you make up every battle. Meaning in everybattle you have to think up of something new. And there are certain ways to take your enemies out, and perfecting your plan where not one of your allies die. Simply the best.

CONCEPT: This is the first game to mix rpg elements with strategy elements. The first game to have succeeded in doing this. Not only that but most rpg game that i have seen for the sega only include maybe 4-10 characters. Shining Force actually gives you a selection of what characters you want to take to battle with you. Shining Force has about 20 characters total. However, like in any rpg, some of them suck. Some are really really really terrible. Which is another new concept that shining forced brought forward, in some games all characters are good in one area. But in Shining Force you'll encounter allies that are completely useless, and all they do is take up space.

REPLAY VALUE: WOW!!!!! This game has the biggest replay value that i have ever seen. I've beaten the game a good 50 times and i'm not even sick of it yet. WHY? It's simple. You get a selection of characters like i said before. Meaning its probably best to play through it over and over again. Trying to beat the game with different characters is the replay value in this game. Building up different forces everytime is what thrives you to play this game non-stop. I've played this game for like 12hrs straight in one day!!! This is indeed the most best reason to buy this game. Simply the replay value.

GRAPHICS: Now some interviews mock the graphics in this game. But in my honest opinion they really aren't all that bad. I actually think they are pretty good. The effects in this game are also pulled off pretty well too. Although they aren't the greatest graphics you'll see on the system(shining force II are better) they still are pretty good.

FINAL:
You should definitely buy this game. But there are no more copies of it being made. You can always download the rom and emulator just to try the game which is what i highly reccomend you to do. But no matter what. You have to play this game or your life wont ever be the same.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/13/01, Updated 12/13/01