"Think 16-bit, watered down version of Final Fantasy Tactics"

Background info: The Shining Force series were one of the first Strategy-RPG's released in the U.S. Few ever really knew about it, but those with the privilege of playing it loved and worshipped it. (Well, maybe just me.) Newer Strat-RPG's may look and play a lot better, but SF fans will remember which game started the whole thing...

Shining Force begins in the kingdom of Guardiana. You are Max, a skilled young swordsman ready to save a kingdom against the forces of Runefaust. The kingdom is attacked, and you are given your quest to save the world...

Kudos to Camelot Systems for making an innovative battle system. Battle takes place from an overhead view, where you can easily monitor your allies and enemies. You can control up to 12 members (out of 30) on your team at any given time.

Most basic attacks are done while next to the enemy. Once the attack is selected, a cut-scene ensues, where the attack/spell is performed. If the attack is successful, you receive experience points, the amount depending on how much damage you inflicted. Every time a party member reaches 100 EXP, he/she/it raises a level and that person's stats improve.

Each member of your party is a different class, and each with specials abilities/skills. For instance, Max is the only member with the Egress skill, which allows the party to escape and fight another time. Ken, a knight, can equip both spears (which can be thrown up to two squares away), and lances (which can only hit one square away). Tao, your beginning mage, can cast magic spells; her Blaze spell can hit one unit up to two squares away. Classes include archers, mages, priests, birdmen, knights, monks, and hamsters (that's not a typo).

The characters are actually pretty boring. Max, Anri, Mae, and some others (on whom I cannot give you information for fear of providing you with a spoiler) are the only ones with any type of remote character development. The story is pretty basic, but driving enough so you'll want to keep playing.

The animations for the spells are still pretty amazing (heehee, you'll wet your pants after seeing Bolt 4). Too bad you'll never be caught dead using some spells like Sleep or Slow. Some spells are just too mana-exhausting and just plain never work.

The music is repetitive, but was pretty good in its day (nostalgia... *sigh*). “Clangy” sounds give the feeling of actual combat during an attack. If you want some real hummable music, go play Shining Force II or III. After playing this game, of course.

If you're looking for replayayability...keep looking. This game just doesn't really reward those who buff their guys up to level 99...of course, you'll find some people online who swear they've gotten their party to level 68 and got their hero to learn magic spells…and you can just reply with “I've got a life…what about you?”. There are secret characters – very strong, I might add – and secret items, so there is some replay value.

Summary: Great Strategy RPG, fun, but a bit short. Instant classic. Buy now.

Major Tip: If you ever find yourself getting pummeled, try the Egress trick: fight a battle until one baddie remains, then escape. Return, kill most of the enemies, and escape again. Continue until your party reaches “the stage,” or when all of your attacks net you one measly exp. point. Then proceed to the next battle, which should a piece of cake. Yes. A big piece of strawberry cake. With chocolate. And cream. And a big puddle of gravy on the side. Excellent. I'll shut up now.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 02/22/01