Shining Force is one of those series that Sega really dropped the ball with. The whole “Shining” series probably became too diluted and convoluted for Sega to keep up with anyhow. So they dropped it like a hot potato. Unfortunately this really was one of the series, along with Phantasy Star, that Sega could have marketed against Nintendo. Gaming was changing from action, action and more action to a slower pace. Sony capitalized on these changes with many role playing games and, yes, strategy titles on the PSOne.

Shining Force CD lineage is storied

Shining Force was represented well on Genesis with two games. Then we got one on Sega CD and Game Gear (Japan got two, featured on Sega CD). The Saturn would get one entry in North America while Japanese gamers got three. Fans have been making waves in translating the other two Japanese Saturn releases as well. Sega could have controlled the turn based strategy genre on consoles if only they had faith. For instance, the Dreamcast never saw a Shining Force game, what a shame.

Definitive edtiion of the series

For fans, Shining Force CD is the version to get, it contains four “books” that tell an arching storyline. The first two “books” are simply adaptations of the two Game Gear games. The first book was released on the Game Gear in North America. The last two “books” finish the stories from those games. That is a lot of gaming for your buck.

Hardcore strategy here

This is classic Shining Force gameplay which will only appeal to hardcore turn based strategy fans. This is quite a collector’s item, usually going for more than decent prices on eBay in various forms from CD only to complete in box.

Sega, make an HD remake of Shining Force CD. Please

There has not been any digital re-released of this game yet. If you want a copy it will be the original. Get the Game Gear version to enjoy the first entry contained on this disc. The rest are only available, legally in English, on this CD. That leaves you having to search out physical copies on eBay or Amazon. These are affiliate links that help us keep the lights on. Your purchase gives us a small commission but costs nothing extra to you. Thank you.

If you cannot get enough of strategy gaming then check out our coverage of other titles right here on Retro Gaming Magazine.

Carl Williams

It is time gaming journalism takes its rightful place as proper sources and not fanboys giving free advertising. If you wish to support writers like Carl please use the links below. https://www.paypal.me/WCW https://www.patreon.com/CarlWilliams