Shining Force III Scenario 2

"An Excellent Strategy Game"

Shining Force 3 Scenario 2 takes place at the same time as Part 1. During Part 1, as Synbios, you meet characters from the second scenario and run across them. In this game, you take up the role as them, as Prince Mideon and occasionally run into Synbios, making the game play both sides of the story. In addition, you can load the save from the previous game, allowing choices you made in Scenario one also have an effect in part 2.

Gameplay: 9
The gameplay is similar to that of Final Fantasy Tactics, taking turns to manouver characters and complete actions such as attack or use magic or defend. Simple as it sounds, all battles are constantly outnumbered in the enemies favour, requiring strategy and planning to win the game. However, friendships and bonds may develop inbetween characters, giving special bonuses such as increased defense. The multitude of character class in the game, from Monk to penguin, or the strong dwarf to accurate archers, it gives diverese characters and strategies in using them. In additon, promotions can be offered, giving new techniques (according partly to weapon equipped), improved stats, and ability to equip nifty equipment unaccesable previously due to low character class. Overall, extremely good gameplay.

Sound/Video: 10
The graphics are simply incredible. In battle, characters are made of polygons and colored well, with incredible deatil. The camera revolves around the battle scene with not cliping or slow down, giving excellent views of both hero and opponent. Even in the outerworld, characters are SD'd with incredible animation and color. Buildings are true to their texture, from the sooty bricks to lush green grass. Free revolving camera allows view throughout the landscape, and showing off the texturing in the game.

The music and sound is also incredible. Music tracks change from enemy to hero, to different situations and even to towns. Sound effects range from the harrased chicken to sword slashes. voices are present in the game, sounding with special attacks. the cries of "Ikuzeee!!" are audible. and crisp, although in Japanese. Oddly enough the only the the main character speaks in the Shining Scenarios is during battle, but keep silent during the game. Odd case of laryngigtis?

Control: 9
Simple enough. Use the Direction Pad to move, buttons to confirm actions, open menu etc. and shoulder buttons to move camera. Controls are well alid out and responsive. nothing bad about the controls.

Replay Value: 4
The game does not offer much to replay through. Secret characters are found through out the game, and are easy to miss when playing through the first time. Nothing new to interest the gamer to replay the game again. the lack of story line due to language barriers does not help either, making the gamer not understand the development of the plot and characters, taking a large chunk of gamers enjoyment in the RPG, in which stories are an essential part. Nonetheless, a needed game to all Saturn owner's game library.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 06/08/03