Shining Force Gaiden
Encyclopedia
is a 1992 tactical role-playing game
released only in Japan for the Sega Game Gear
, though it was later released as an enhanced remake for Shining Force CD
in Japan, North America, and Europe. It takes place 20 years after the second Shining series game
, and is the direct predecessor to the fourth one, Shining Force Gaiden II. Its subtitle is translated in Shining Force CD as "Towards the Root of Evil".
.
Due to the linear progression of the game, the English menus, and the use of gameplay mechanics identical to other installments of the series, the game is easily playable by non-Japanese speakers, though keeping track of equipped weapons can present some minor difficulties.
game Shining Force I
, and is in effect a sequel to it. The story continues the history of Guardiana and centers on a new threat to the nation. Anri, Ken, Lug (called "Luke" in Shining Force I and Resurrection of the Dark Dragon), and Lowe, who were playable characters in Shining Force I, are all major characters, and one of them briefly serves as a playable character. Domingo, another Shining Force I playable character, appears as a hidden character. The initial party members include the sons of Lug, Ken, and Hans, the sister of Tao, and the nephew of Gong.
Shining Force Gaiden I is also the beginning of the Cypress saga, which is continued in the Sega Game Gear
game Shining Force Gaiden II and the Mega-CD game Shining Force CD
. Gaiden 2 is a direct continuation of the story of Shining Force Gaiden I; it takes place just two months after and covers the resolution of the war between the forces of Cypress and the worshipers of Iom.
Tactical role-playing game
A tactical role-playing game is a type of video game which incorporates elements of traditional role-playing video games and strategy games. In Japan these games are known as , a designation which might seem peculiar to native English speakers...
released only in Japan for the Sega Game Gear
Sega Game Gear
The was Sega's first handheld game console. It was the third commercially available color handheld console, after the Atari Lynx and the TurboExpress....
, though it was later released as an enhanced remake for Shining Force CD
Shining Force CD
Shining Force CD is a 1994 remake of the Game Gear RPGs Shining Force Gaiden and Shining Force Gaiden II for the Sega Mega-CD console. The game is divided into four Books that can be played sequentially or separately. The first two Books contain adapted versions of the original Game Gear games...
in Japan, North America, and Europe. It takes place 20 years after the second Shining series game
Shining Force
Shining Force, known as in Japan, and otherwise known as Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention, is a 1992 turn-based strategy role-playing video game for the Mega Drive/Genesis console...
, and is the direct predecessor to the fourth one, Shining Force Gaiden II. Its subtitle is translated in Shining Force CD as "Towards the Root of Evil".
Gameplay
The game consists of a series of turn-based tactical battles interspersed with short cutscenes. Between cutscenes the player is allowed to save the game, promote characters, resurrect fallen characters, and sometimes buy and sell weapons and healing items. The combat and leveling mechanics are identical to those of Shining Force IShining Force
Shining Force, known as in Japan, and otherwise known as Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention, is a 1992 turn-based strategy role-playing video game for the Mega Drive/Genesis console...
.
Due to the linear progression of the game, the English menus, and the use of gameplay mechanics identical to other installments of the series, the game is easily playable by non-Japanese speakers, though keeping track of equipped weapons can present some minor difficulties.
Story
The player controls Nick, a visitor to Guardiana (incorrectly translated as "Gardiana" in Shining Force CD), who is chosen to be the new leader of the Guardiana Shining Force. The party must travel to the Kingdom of Cypress to rescue Guardiana's captive soldiers and find a way to cure Queen Anri, who was placed under a sleep spell by the ambassador of Cypress, Woldol.Shining Series continuity
The game takes place 20 years after the events of the Sega Mega DriveSega Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis is a fourth-generation video game console developed and produced by Sega. It was originally released in Japan in 1988 as , then in North America in 1989 as Sega Genesis, and in Europe, Australia and other PAL regions in 1990 as Mega Drive. The reason for the two names is that...
game Shining Force I
Shining Force
Shining Force, known as in Japan, and otherwise known as Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention, is a 1992 turn-based strategy role-playing video game for the Mega Drive/Genesis console...
, and is in effect a sequel to it. The story continues the history of Guardiana and centers on a new threat to the nation. Anri, Ken, Lug (called "Luke" in Shining Force I and Resurrection of the Dark Dragon), and Lowe, who were playable characters in Shining Force I, are all major characters, and one of them briefly serves as a playable character. Domingo, another Shining Force I playable character, appears as a hidden character. The initial party members include the sons of Lug, Ken, and Hans, the sister of Tao, and the nephew of Gong.
Shining Force Gaiden I is also the beginning of the Cypress saga, which is continued in the Sega Game Gear
Sega Game Gear
The was Sega's first handheld game console. It was the third commercially available color handheld console, after the Atari Lynx and the TurboExpress....
game Shining Force Gaiden II and the Mega-CD game Shining Force CD
Shining Force CD
Shining Force CD is a 1994 remake of the Game Gear RPGs Shining Force Gaiden and Shining Force Gaiden II for the Sega Mega-CD console. The game is divided into four Books that can be played sequentially or separately. The first two Books contain adapted versions of the original Game Gear games...
. Gaiden 2 is a direct continuation of the story of Shining Force Gaiden I; it takes place just two months after and covers the resolution of the war between the forces of Cypress and the worshipers of Iom.