Shining Wisdom
Encyclopedia
is an Action-adventure game
released for the Sega Saturn
video game console. It is a part of Sega
's Shining series of video games.
style of gameplay. Players control one character whose attacks rely on speed and skill, rather than controlling a group of characters who engage in turn-based combat sequences and increase their stats as the game progresses. The gameplay of Shining Wisdom has often been likened to that of The Legend of Zelda
series. Shining Wisdom's originality comes from the unique system of attacks based on a combination of acquired items and "orbs."
The graphics employ pseudo-3D CGI-rendered sprites imposed on a 2D background.
' translation), and to do so they first must use Princess Satera to get at an orb held by King Odegan. It is up to Mars to redeem his lies and failures by thwarting the mighty wizard's plans.
, and is a sequel of sorts to that game. Sarah and Kazin, who were playable characters in Shining Force II, are roaming the continent in a hunt for Zeon's remaining henchmen. Pazort, the main villain of Shining Wisdom, is a former follower of Zeon, and Sarah and Kazin aid in the fight against him. There are also several references to the hero of Shining Force II, Bowie, though he does not actually appear anywhere in the game. A book even refers to the setting of Shining in the Darkness
, Stormsong(referred to in English versions as "Thornwood").
Note that due to the various name changes and omissions of the Working Designs' translation, none of the above connections to the Shining series are apparent in the USA version of the game. They can only be seen in the Japanese and European versions. See "Translation Issues" below.
' North American version of the game is met with some criticism by gamers, as numerous creative liberties were taken with the story. Kazin, Sarah, Bowie, and Zeon are respectively referred to as "Parn", "Salah," "Puck", and "Zhaion", while the land of Parmecia is referred to as "Palacia." These changes are not the fault of Working Designs, as Sega Japan owned the copyrights to the original names and would not release them. What is Working Designs' fault, however, are the considerable changes to the characters' personalities and how they relate to each other. For example, the original script made explicit that Sarah does not return the romantic feelings of her companion, Kazin. Working Designs not only deleted these parts of the script, but added in numerous comments from Sarah and other NPCs indicating that she and Kazin are romantically involved.
The European release of Shining Wisdom was translated by Sega Europe. This translation contains some grammatical errors and typos, but none of the contemporary pop-culture jokes and distorted characterizations of the Working Designs translation. It also keeps intact the storyline connections between Shining Wisdom and the other games of the Shining series.
Action-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game that combines elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements. It is perhaps the broadest and most diverse genre in gaming, and can include many games which might better be categorized under narrow genres...
released for the Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
video game console. It is a part of Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
's Shining series of video games.
Gameplay
Shining Wisdom differs from its predecessors in the Shining series in that it was the first to employ an Action-adventureAction-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game that combines elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements. It is perhaps the broadest and most diverse genre in gaming, and can include many games which might better be categorized under narrow genres...
style of gameplay. Players control one character whose attacks rely on speed and skill, rather than controlling a group of characters who engage in turn-based combat sequences and increase their stats as the game progresses. The gameplay of Shining Wisdom has often been likened to that of The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda, originally released as in Japan, is a video game developed and published by Nintendo, and designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka. Set in the fantasy land of Hyrule, the plot centers on a boy named Link, the playable protagonist, who aims to collect the eight fragments...
series. Shining Wisdom's originality comes from the unique system of attacks based on a combination of acquired items and "orbs."
Visual characteristics
Shining Wisdom was originally designed for the Mega Drive, and adapted for the Saturn at the last minute, presumably in order to bolster the new system's library of games. Because of this, Shining Wisdom's graphics are exceptionally bland and lacking in detail compared to other early Saturn games.The graphics employ pseudo-3D CGI-rendered sprites imposed on a 2D background.
Story
In the land of Odegan, orphaned squire Mars is employed at Odegan Castle on the strength of his father's great reputation. A series of lies and deceptions on his part unexpectedly places him as the foremost obstacle to the schemes of the dark elf wizard, Pazort. Pazort and his followers intend to destroy the world by summoning the Giant, Seeega (referred to as "the Dark Titan" in Working DesignsWorking Designs
Working Designs was an American video game publisher that specialized in the localization of Japanese console role-playing games, strategy video games and top-down shooters for various video game platforms. Though the company had published many 'cult hits', it was known best to fans as the...
' translation), and to do so they first must use Princess Satera to get at an orb held by King Odegan. It is up to Mars to redeem his lies and failures by thwarting the mighty wizard's plans.
Shining Series continuity
Shining Wisdom takes place on the continent of Parmecia just a few years after Shining Force IIShining Force II
, is a tactical role-playing game for the Mega Drive/Genesis console developed by Sonic! Software Planning in 1994. The storyline is not directly connected to the original Shining Force, although a Game Gear title Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict links the two games' plots.The game is much...
, and is a sequel of sorts to that game. Sarah and Kazin, who were playable characters in Shining Force II, are roaming the continent in a hunt for Zeon's remaining henchmen. Pazort, the main villain of Shining Wisdom, is a former follower of Zeon, and Sarah and Kazin aid in the fight against him. There are also several references to the hero of Shining Force II, Bowie, though he does not actually appear anywhere in the game. A book even refers to the setting of Shining in the Darkness
Shining in the Darkness
Shining in the Darkness, released as in Japan, is a 1991 RPG for the Mega Drive/Genesis video game console. It was one of the first RPGs released for the system, and began the Shining RPG series that would span four Sega video game consoles as well as the Game Boy Advance and PlayStation 2.On...
, Stormsong(referred to in English versions as "Thornwood").
Note that due to the various name changes and omissions of the Working Designs' translation, none of the above connections to the Shining series are apparent in the USA version of the game. They can only be seen in the Japanese and European versions. See "Translation Issues" below.
Translation issues
Working DesignsWorking Designs
Working Designs was an American video game publisher that specialized in the localization of Japanese console role-playing games, strategy video games and top-down shooters for various video game platforms. Though the company had published many 'cult hits', it was known best to fans as the...
' North American version of the game is met with some criticism by gamers, as numerous creative liberties were taken with the story. Kazin, Sarah, Bowie, and Zeon are respectively referred to as "Parn", "Salah," "Puck", and "Zhaion", while the land of Parmecia is referred to as "Palacia." These changes are not the fault of Working Designs, as Sega Japan owned the copyrights to the original names and would not release them. What is Working Designs' fault, however, are the considerable changes to the characters' personalities and how they relate to each other. For example, the original script made explicit that Sarah does not return the romantic feelings of her companion, Kazin. Working Designs not only deleted these parts of the script, but added in numerous comments from Sarah and other NPCs indicating that she and Kazin are romantically involved.
The European release of Shining Wisdom was translated by Sega Europe. This translation contains some grammatical errors and typos, but none of the contemporary pop-culture jokes and distorted characterizations of the Working Designs translation. It also keeps intact the storyline connections between Shining Wisdom and the other games of the Shining series.
External links
- Shining Wisdom on the Shining Wiki
- Shining Wisdom @ RPG Dreamer - Basic information about Shining Wisdom from an RPG archive. - Very scant; contains screenshots, however.