1992 · Camelot Software Planning · Adventure · Role-playing

Shining Force Gaiden

Timed Sega exclusive

Shining Force Gaiden is a turn-based tactical RPG. Battles take place in square grids, and each unit occupies 1 square. Units can belong to one of two sides: allies (controlled by the player) or enemies (controlled by the computer AI). Each unit can move up to a fixed amount of squares along the battlefield, determined by its Move statistic. Depending on its location relative to enemies and to allies, a unit also has the option to attack, cast a spell, use an item, search (if adjacent to a treasure chest), or stay and do nothing, all of which end the unit's turn.

Released: 25 December 1992
Platforms: Game Gear Nintendo 3DS
Genres: Adventure Role-playing Strategy Tactical Tactical role-playing Turn-based strategy
Developers: Camelot Software Planning
Publishers: —
Series: Shining
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Bird view / Isometric
Themes: Fantasy
Country: Japan
Age ratings: CERO A
Languages: Japanese
Composers: Motoaki Takenouchi

About

Shining Force Gaiden: Ensei – Jashin no Kuni he (シャイニング・フォース外伝～遠征・邪神の国へ～) is a 1992 tactical role-playing game developed by Sonic! Software Planning and released by Sega only in Japan for the Game Gear. It takes place 20 years after the Shining Force, and is the first game in the Shining Force Gaiden series.

In 1994, a remake of Gaiden and the sequel Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya was released for the Sega CD, titled Shining Force CD. Unlike the originals, this version was released in Japan, North America, and Europe. Shining Force CD also contains two new scenarios that continue the story of these two Gaiden games.

Keywords

jrpg
virtual console
nintendo 3ds virtual console

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

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.

Story

The player controls Nick, a visitor to Guardiana, 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.

The game takes place 20 years after the events of Shining Force, and is in effect a "story 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 and its Resurrection of the Dark Dragon remake), and Lowe, who were playable characters in Shining Force, are all major characters, and Lug briefly serves as a playable character. Domingo, another Shining Force playable character, appears as a hidden character in this game. The initial party members include the sons of Lug, Ken, and Hans, the sister of Tao, and the nephew of Gong.