Top 20 Best RPG Series of All Time

#10. – Shining Force

# of Good Games in the Franchise: 3

Active: No

The original Shining Force began development as a sequel to Sega’s big RPG Shining in the Darkness. For this release though they targeted a more strategy focused battle system ala Fire Emblem. It uses the traditional grid based system but with an overworld, towns to explore, etc. This made the game feel more like your standard Japanese style RPG. Shining Force II was also released for the Sega Genesis and built on the formula in some big ways. There are more unique characters, a bigger story, and refined combat. The third installment was released in three different scenarios each its own package. In North America we only got one of these, but it was still great. Shining Force III is the only 3D installment in the series but it’s still faithful to the originals.

I was very late to the party when it comes to Shining Force. It wasn’t until the Sega Smash Pack that I got my first taste of it, and because of it that was one of my most played games for the Sega Dreamcast. Shining Force was also one of the first strategy RPGs I ever played. The high point is the second game beyond a doubt. The evolution of the job system (complete with branching paths) is so in depth that few other strategy RPGs can match its depth. The new emphasis on story also helps a great deal. Shining Force III continues this with more unique character types and an even bigger emphasis on story but it’s not quite as interesting as its predecessor. The different scenarios released as full games is a neat idea however.

The Best Way to Play:

Shining Force has been re-released on numerous platforms. It had a competent remake for the Game Boy Advance, and has been included in various compilations for several different consoles. Shining Force II has also made its way into a few compilations but far fewer, and was never remade. The outlier is Shining Force III. Like so many of their best games Sega has left this one as a Sega Saturn exclusive. What’s more is that it was released late in the console’s lifespan, and is very expensive to acquire in English. The additional two scenarios have been fan translated so you can finally check them out in that fashion.