Cheap Shining Force (Video Games) (Sega Genesis) Price

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Customer Reviews of Shining Force

The Greatest RPG Game in the history of RPGs
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.

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An excellent game
The Genesis is a system usually remembered for its arcade-style action games, and not those of other genres. In fact, I'm sure there are several people out there who have no idea this game (or any other Genesis RPG) exists. Released in 1993, Shining Force was one of the system's many underrated masterpieces. Read on for my review of the game.

PROS:
-It's an RPG for the Genesis!
-Unlike most consular RPGs, this one isn't that hard to learn.
-Your characters get experience points for every attack they perform, making it easy to build levels.
-There is an excellent cast of characters and an intriguing storyline to hold your attention.
-The game is straightforward, meaning you probably won't get lost or stuck.

CONS:
-The straightforward gaming style may not appeal to the casual RPG fan who is used to being able to explore an entire world at his/her own pace.
-The characters seem to be imbalanced in many ways.
-The "tactical RPG" style may confuse veterans of standard RPGs.
-Obviously the graphics pale in comparison to those of the Super Nintendo.

OVERALL:
-If you have a Genesis, then by all means purchase this game. If you have a Dreamcast, this is available in the Sega Smashpack. But either way, I strongly suggest playing this game, as it is one of the finest to have ever existed.

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Buy it
My dad introduced me to video games when I was four. My aunt was living with us at the time, and when she moved in she brought along her Genisis. My dad rented this game over and over and over for me so I could finish it. I was five or six when I actually wrapped it. No lies. I'm sure I didn't understand it, but I loved it, and I never gave up. Shining Force is a classic RPG. The music and gameplay are fabulous, and even playing it just recently, after so many years, I was still impressed. The music, the characters... Everything joins together to make an incredible game. Shining Force was the first RPG game I ever played, and I rank it right up there with the Suikoden series, and the two Lunar games.