Shining Force

"*Insert joke about how this game shines above all others here*"

Shining Force. The name can evoke all kinds of thoughts and ideas. To some, it brings back long-lost memories from Shining Force sessions gone by; to others, it makes them think "Isn't that the game that's like Final Fantasy Tactics?". However, to the rest, it makes them think no more that the word "What?". I am in the first category of people - and I'm proud of it too.

Story: When I first played the game ten years ago, I was just six, so I didn't really care a lot about the story-line. I also didn't notice much of a story-line at first. The title sequence tells the often-used, perhaps cliched, story of how darkness incarnate was sealed away by heroes in the past, however it vowed to return in 1000 years. And, guess what, it's been 1000 years since that fateful day. That, of course, means it's up to you to reseal it. What a bummer, eh? There are also some mini-story-lines as you go through the game, which aid in stopping the player thinking where the storyline went. However, even with the most linear of story-lines the game holds up well. 6/10

Gameplay: There isn't really a lot to say about the gameplay, when you consider how straightforward it is. You see the main character from a bird's-eye view, therefore the controls are simple to work with - press up on the D-pad, and the main character moves towards the top of the screen; press down, and he goes to the bottom of the screen. Press the A or C button, and a menu appears with various commands such as 'Talk' and 'Search'. Press the B button to cancel out of the menu. What this means is that you don't have to spend the first ten minutes of the game working out what everything does, as it's pretty obvious - you have more time to appreciate the game as a result. 10/10

Sound: I'm humming a couple of tunes from the game as I type this, as the music in the game is that memorable. There's enough of a variety of tunes for different areas that you don't get sick of a particular one. The music also fits with where you are - in a town, the music is fairly happy and well-paced; in a circus tent, the music is speedy and clown-like, and so on. The sound effects also work well in the game. When you hit an enemy, it really sounds like you smacked it hard. The sounds in the game are one of the reasons I find the game so great - I still love listening to some of the tracks. 10/10

Graphics: For the early 1990s, the graphics in the game - especially the battle animations - look pretty stylish and fit well with the dark theme of the game. The sequel, Shining Force 2, has cartoony graphics, which certainly wouldn't fit into this game. I particularly like the backgrounds that accompany battle animations - they give a more realistic feeling to the game. Also, in my opinion, the remake's graphics aren't as apt as the original's graphics. As far as 2D graphics go, you can't get much better. 10/10

Replayability: Well, the fact that I'm still playing the game over ten years after its release says it all. Taking into account the fact that there are thirty characters, of which you can only take twelve at a time, and also the fact that no one character is the same two run-throughs in a row, it's clear to see why I just can't stop playing it. 10/10

BOTTOM LINE: If, like me, you're an old-sk00l gamer, and you like RPGs, you'll absolutely love this game. To those who aren't, though, you should still try it if you get the chance. Who knows, in ten years maybe you'll realise what a gem of a game Shining Force is. 10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/18/05