Shining Soul II (2003)

by Ji-yeong
written by Ji-yeong 6 minutes read

Summary

Shining Soul II (2003): A Detailed Review

Shining Soul II is an action RPG developed by Nextech and published by Sega for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. It is the sequel to Shining Soul, which was released for the Sega Dreamcast in 2002.

The game is set in the kingdom of Klantol, which is being terrorized by monsters. King Marcel announces a grand tournament at the coliseum to find a hero who can protect the country. Players can choose to play as one of four character classes: Brawler, Priestess, Dark Wizard, or Ninja. Each character has certain strengths and weaknesses that can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

The game features both single-player and multiplayer modes. In single-player mode, players can explore the game’s dungeons and battle monsters on their own. In multiplayer mode, players can team up with up to three other players to take on the game’s challenges together.

One of the unique features of Shining Soul II is its Force Link system. Force Links are special items that can be equipped to characters. When two or more characters with compatible Force Links are adjacent to each other, they can combine their powers to create a Shining Force. Shining Forces are powerful attacks that can decimate the enemy forces.

Shining Soul II was praised for its fast-paced combat, charming characters, and addictive gameplay. However, the game was also criticized for its repetitive dungeons and lack of a story.

Gameplay

Shining Soul II is an action RPG that is played from a top-down perspective. Players control a party of up to four characters as they explore dungeons and battle monsters. The game features a variety of different attacks and spells that can be used to defeat enemies.

In addition to the main story mode, Shining Soul II also features a number of side quests and minigames. These side quests and minigames can be used to earn experience points, items, and money.

Characters

There are four character classes to choose from in Shining Soul II: Brawler, Priestess, Dark Wizard, and Ninja. Each character class has its own unique strengths and weaknesses.

  • Brawler: Brawlers are melee fighters who excel at close-quarters combat. They have high strength and vitality, but they are slow and have low defense.
  • Priestess: Priestesses are healers who can use magic to heal their allies and buff their stats. They have low attack power, but they are fast and have high defense.
  • Dark Wizard: Dark Wizards are magic users who can deal powerful damage to enemies. They have high intelligence and magic power, but they are slow and have low vitality.
  • Ninja: Ninjas are agile fighters who can use stealth and speed to their advantage. They have high dexterity and agility, but they are weak and have low defense.

Force Links

Force Links are special items that can be equipped to characters. When two or more characters with compatible Force Links are adjacent to each other, they can combine their powers to create a Shining Force. Shining Forces are powerful attacks that can decimate the enemy forces.

There are a total of 16 different Force Links in Shining Soul II. Each Force Link has a different effect, so players can experiment with different combinations to find the ones that work best for their party.

Reception

Shining Soul II was released to generally positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its fast-paced combat, charming characters, and addictive gameplay. However, the game was also criticized for its repetitive dungeons and lack of a story.

Overall, Shining Soul II is a solid action RPG that is sure to please fans of the genre. The game’s fast-paced combat, charming characters, and addictive gameplay make it a worthwhile experience.

Score: 8/10

Pros:

  • Fast-paced combat
  • Charming characters
  • Addictive gameplay
  • Variety of different attacks and spells
  • Force Link system adds an extra layer of strategy

Cons:

  • Repetitive dungeons
  • Lack of a story

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Ji-yeong is a passionate gamer and whose love for video games blossomed during her childhood. Growing up in the midwest, without many friends, she spent countless hours exploring the enchanting worlds of classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger, which sparked not only an enduring love for gaming but also a keen insight into its evolving landscape. Today, Ji-yeong channels her deep-seated passion and nostalgia into thoughtful, engaging reviews that resonate with both longtime gamers and newcomers alike. Her unique perspective, rooted in a rich history of gaming, offers readers a heartfelt journey through the pixels and stories that have shaped her love for this dynamic medium. Her favorite game series of all time is Harvest Moon.

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