hen this game first released on the Genesis in 1993, it impressed gamers with its huge cast of characters, varied classes, and strategic combat. It also served as an inspiration for many turn-based titles that were to follow. Even though all of the elements that made this stand out in its time are still present, they are essentially in their original form. While the gameplay is still fun, Shining Force certainly feels like it has gathered some dust over the years.

To be fair, this isn’t the exact same game that came out 11 years ago. The graphics are considerably improved, and there are also a handful of new characters and sidequests. But even with these alterations on the surface, the core hasn’t changed. You wander around towns and you get into battles. As you progress, you add more party members to your pool of fighters and assemble a team based on each characters’ abilities. Sound familiar? The biggest problem with this otherwise successful formula is that due to the basic battle system, it eventually feels like you’re just repeating the same drill again and again.

While it does have a decent mix of strategy and RPG elements, you can’t escape the fact that this is still just a Genesis game with a few minor improvements. With the other turn-based strategy titles available on GBA, like Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Shining Force is really more enjoyable as a piece of nostalgia than a fresh gaming experience.  

ANDREW REINER   7.5 Striking a nostalgic chord, this remake of the Genesis classic brings back a flood of fond memories, but also a slight pain with the realization that the games that we cherished back in the day don’t necessarily stack up well against today’s juggernauts. While boasting balance tweaks; enhanced menu management; and the inclusion of new characters, items, and side missions; the gameplay is just as shallow as before. It’s an enjoyable play, but if you’ve already worked your way through Final Fantasy Tactics or any turn-based strategy game in the last five years, there’s a good chance that you’ll be disappointed by its simplicity.