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A classic game that is a must have for any Genesis owner

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 13 / 13
Date: October 30, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is the second title of the incredible Shining Series, following Shining in the Darkness. The game itself is a little on the aged side, but it has great gameplay, great control, and is all around really fun. Shining Force is the game that really took the Shining Series in a new great direction (other than Shining the Holy Ark and Shining Wisdom) of epic battles across a vast world with armies of monsters. The cast of characters you control is more imaginative than even Final Fantasy ever has been, as is the variety of maps, items, and magic. Warriors, Priests, Wizards, Knights, Clerics, Monks, Dragons, Archers, Wolfmen, Robots, Mages, Sorcerors, Paladins, Samurai, Ninjas, Chipmunks and more are all under your control as you chose where, when and how to fight your enemy, using the terrain to your advantage (hopefully...) The control scheme is very simple, with menus to select all the actions similar to Final Fantasy or Phantasy Star, which is as effective today for strategy games as it was twenty years ago. While not as long as the epic Shining Force II, Shining Force is actually quite a long game concidering how long the average Genesis game was. Not only that, but Shining Force has a deep storyline that (while it is only part of the Shining Series story--go to shiningforcecentral.com for more) is surprisingly engaging for adults and children alike. Shining Force was a must have for any Sega fan or any RPG fan. My suggestion, however, is to go out any purchase the remake of Shining Force for the Game Boy Advance. it is the exact same game, only on a handheld system--this at least gives some justification for its being visually inferior because it is for a handheld.

This dinky little game rocks!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: June 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

this was my first introduction to RPG/strategy games back when i was in grade 5... And i still play it! i've always based any RPG i've played since on how it was compared to this game. I can't really explain what makes it so great, just the way the storyline goes, and the items you can get, and the class changes and characters are all awesome. I love the promotion feature, in which once your character reaches level 10, a class change can occur, and they can use stronger weapons and get stronger spells and each level up is more powerful than the increase you got on levels 1-10. This is my all-time favorite game, along with Langrisser (which was only released in North America on the genesis as "Warsong"). Shining force 2 seemed weaker to me, but also a 5 star game. Highly reccomended to fans of "old time" RPG's. Not as long or complicated as today's games, but still holds the test of time for this reviewer.

This why I love RPG's

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: February 14, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This was my first RPG so this is why I love RPG's. The battle, the characters, the gameplay. It was great when SG was popular I played this as long as I possibly could and I miss playing it and I wish I could find it in stores though I never beat it I still think it's great so it's ok you can go ahead and buy it.

Great Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: March 14, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This is probably the best game for the Genesis next to Warsong. Like Warsong you earn experience to gain levels and eventually your people gain new classes and spells. The storyline is excellent too. I would highly recommend that you buy it if you can get your hands on it.I have an extra copy for sale but I cant sell it cause I dont have a credit card. If anyone is interested in buying a complete copy then email me at Mathis-@webtv.net

Great RPG from a great system

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: April 16, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Sega Genesis is probably the 2nd best video game system ever made (behind Nintendo and maybe behind Intellivision) and their RPG games are also some of the best. Shining Force very well could be Sega's best. You start as a young man who is called upon to save the workld from the Evil's of Dark Dragon. Through the 8 chapters of the game you'll fight 30different battles, picking up all sorts of companions (29 in all) to fight with you along the way (they range form Magicians, Healers, Archers, Warriors, Flyer's, Knight's to worthless idiots). As you get stronger you have to buy better weapons, get better spells, and get promotions, find special objects and secrets and kill certain foes. Certain fights are better suited for certain fighters, I'll leave that to you to find whio is good in what areas, but this is a must have RPG from a great game system.

Shining force 1 for the Sega Genesis

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: December 15, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Easily one of the best games ever made, shining force 2 was a great game too, not as good but definatly a sweet game....i wish they would make more shining force games, including the japanise version on SF3 into an english game for a newer system.....either way one of the best games ever, if not the best....

Genesis Classic

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: June 23, 2002
Author: Amazon User

While not as good as the sequel, Shining Force I is still a great game on it's own merits. Shining Force is a turn-based tactical RPG on a grid. The combat system isn't too in-depth, but it is still very well done, and the main focus of the game.

Shining Force features an assorted cast of characters, some of which are very cool, but they aren't really very important to the story. Speaking of which, there isn't too much story, just the basic save the world from the evil bad guy set-up. The story really takes a backseat to the combat, so I didn't really mind.

The graphics are good, but not too great. Shining Force does have a nice graphical style to it, regardless. The music is nice, but not as good as II. One of the more annoying things about Shining Force I, in contrast to most other RPG's, is that characters usually get very few stats when they level up, occasionally even nothing.

Shining Force I isn't too long, maybe 20 hours, and it isn't too difficult. It is still a lot of fun. Every Genesis owner should pick up Shining Force II, but Shining Force I really isn't a must have unless you are a more hardcore RPG gamer. And just to mention, Shining Force I is on the Sega Smashpack for the Dreamcast. The Smashpack is worth it for Shining Force I and Phantasy Star II, and there are a couple other good games too.

Wow phenominal

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 30, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I have this i played it when i was littler on the sega channel 5 years later i remembered the title and got it now its better than before.There are new games such as final fantasy and suikoden but this is old and its better than those you get warriors and you build a small army and defeat bad guys you have to play it to see the glory of this game

The Greatest RPG Game in the history of RPGs

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: November 07, 2003
Author: Amazon User

OK. You've just stumbled upon what is possibly one if the greatest RPG console games ever created. Some would argue that Shining Force 2 is a better game than this original, but being a purest of heart, I've got to stick to the classic. Shining Force is a classic amongst classics. I can recall playing this game for hours on end, siting in a dark room with my friends, and strategizing on the best way to take on General Elliot. I can recall my awe as I finally discovered what lay beyond the Gate of the Ancients and the secret of the Chaos Breaker. This was a game ahead of its time. It was for the Sega Genesis console system, which for all of you PlayStation gamers may seem prehistoric. But Sega pushed the limits of that 16 bit gaming system with this game and created a legend that paved the way for 11 more games to follow in it's footsteps, as well as pull from the fire a previous game. The legacy of Shining Force is the stuff of legends. Weather you're a first time player, or an old timer fan, this game is one of the best purchases Amazon has to offer.

Game Play - Let's talk about Game Play. The game came out the summer of 1993 and it was the very first tactics based game of its kind. Not only is it the first, but it is still the best. Why you might ask? I'm glad you did. Because with Shining Force you don't get a puny five characters at your disposal. You don't get a mere eight. No my friend. With Shining Force you get a whopping 12 characters to control on the screen in a fantasy chess battle. Added to the enemy forces, that can be up to 40 characters on the screen at one time, giving even a master strategist something to think about before making a move. Not only do you get to control 12 characters in your force, but also you can choose from over 25+ character that include werewolves, centaurs, and dragons. There are even three hidden characters. All of the character contributes something unique to the story (except for Yogurt, but he does supply some comic value) and drastically change the strategy of the game if included in your fighting force.

Walking around town gives you full freedom to wander and talk to whom you like. You can gain money, story information, and purchase weapons and items. Battles are your basic (but revolutionary at the time) strategic turn based battle system, where each character moves once per turn. The order of the move depends on the speed level of the character. And once each character has moved, the cycle starts all over again. For every action, each character will gain experience points and climb in levels. Most characters can even get promoted to a different character type, dramatically changing their appearance and statistics.

Music and Graphics - the graphics on this game are somewhat limited to the 16 bit capabilities of the Sega Genesis. But those capabilities are pushed to the limit. Each attack in the game has a battle animation where you get to see the characters in full anime style fulfil a function. There are some great scenes done in this way, included the final blow against the final boss. The music was just great. The score for this game plays like a score to a movie. It was so good; I went out and bought the import soundtrack on line as soon as I heard that it excited. And when the music and anime style artwork work together during the end credits, there is nothing you can do but sit there an take it all in. It is amazing.

Story - And finally we get to the story. I was saving the best for last because I am a down right sucker for a good story. Contrary to what other reviews may have you think, the story in this game does NOT take a back seat to any other element. Like any good RPG game, it is the driving force. Right now, a lot of the elements may seem very cliché. But in 1993, this game was revolutionary and one of the first games to have such a story. Indeed, those cliché story elements have become a cliché BECAUSE of this game. The story is that you are Max, a young man who wants to be a knight. But when the ruthless Kane kills your mentor and king, you must leave your home of Gardiana and start on a journey through the land of Rune to discover the secrets of the Ancients to save your world. The story is filled with intrigue, twists, and surprises along the way and is split up into eight chapters similar to reading a book. The bulk of the story is something that I really can't give away. It must be something experienced. But I can promise you; it will be an experience that you will not soon forget. And of course, you are in for a big surprise in the special epilogue scene following the end credits.

This is a game that all other games aspire to be and it is one that should not be missed by any RPG lover out there. I highly recommend it to any one who loves RPGs or just really loves a good story. Good luck.

GO SHINING FORCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: November 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game is by far the best RPG game i have EVER played!!!! but be warned this game can be quite frustrating example: last night i was playing and about 2 or 3 rune nights left and i attacked 1 with Max (main character...you can name him whatever you want) and his turn came up, he attacked me and i lost...it was SO frustrating!!! but the game is really fun, the music is just wondeful! it is scary how good it is compared to other games around that time. i have sega smashpack 2 and thats how i play it, i oringally saw it and it said sonic 2 included and i just HAD to buy it, i saw the sreecnshot for shining force and said "I don't like these types of games" i didnt play shining force for a while then i decided that that was the only game i hadnt played and so i tried it and i was blown away!!!!! overall a really great game the graphics are ok but who cares about that because the gameplay, music, and battle system makes up for that! because of this game i now like turn-based games! ^_^

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