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Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 20 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 9 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Atlus USA / Sega
Developer: Amusement Vision
Genre(s): Strategy, Role-Playing Game
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: June 8, 2004
Summary
Darksol, a mysterious traveler who has worked his way into the King of Runefaust's graces, is secretly planning to resurrect an ancient, but terrible creature, the Dark Dragon. He has convinced the King of Runefaust to invade the kingdom of Guardiana in an effort to realize his sinister plan. You play the part of a promising young warrior who washed ashore in Guardiana, but you have lost your memory and remember nothing of your past. When Guardiana is attacked, you are thrust into the role of leader and must unravel the mystery behind the Legacy of the Gods and put a stop to Dark Dragon's revival at any cost, or the world shall perish.
Also On The Web: GameSpot Preview Official Game Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Eurogamer
A true classic. It may not have the admirable depth of "Final Fantasy Tactics Advance" or "Fire Emblem," but it has twice the character - and twice the fun.
Read Full Review >Gamer's Hell
Not just a nostalgic drag-up of a successful title from the past, but more a great game to (re-)experience the feeling of the best days of the console roleplay gaming by focusing more on efficient and intuitive game-play than on brilliant graphics and cheap love stories (you know exactly what I mean…).
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
Fans of "Fire Emblem" and "Final Fantasy Tactics Advance" will jump right into Shining Force. [July 2004, p.120]
Play Magazine
Becomes completely absorbing through its world, characters and thoughtful gameplay. [June 2004, p.72]
GameSpot
If you consider yourself a fan of the strategy-tactics RPG genre, you're not going to mind that the graphics are a little outdated or that the audio has some hissing and popping in it. Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon is just too good to pass up.
Read Full Review >Computer and Video Games
It doesn't look as spectacular as other RPGs and does little to win over newcomers, but fans of epic turn-based quests and strategic battles will greedily gulp down every last drop of this heady brew.
Read Full Review >GamePro
Shining Force's biggest strengths are its setting, a delightfully half-serious anime fantasy world, and some of the most memorable, weirdest characters (jellyfish, armadillos, crash-test moles) you'll ever amass for an army. [July 2004, p.88]
Read Full Review >netjak
An engaging and addictive experience even today. With the Card system adding an extra dimension to battles, ROTDD almost feels like a new game, but retains enough similarities to the original for series veterans to not walk away disappointed.
Read Full Review >GamerFeed
Shining Force is a game that's as easy to slip into as those pants one size too large you bought on accident that make you feel thin.
Read Full Review >Inside Gamer Online
With nice looking visuals and outstanding gameplay, Sega went ahead and added enough depth to the game to call it a handheld sleeper.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
The remake sports improved visuals, some new battles, and a top-notch updated localization, but sadly, the battle animations are terrible. Otherwise, though, my complaints are few. [July 2004, p.107]
IGN
With excellent titles like "Advance Wars," "Final Fantasy Tactics Advance," and "Fire Emblem," the GBA is already well represented in the turn based strategy genre. Shining Force is not quite as deep or visually interesting as these newer entries into the genre.
Read Full Review >My Gamer
They took the defining game of not just this series but the genre itself and gave it a much deserved booster shot.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
While the gameplay is still fun, Shining Force certainly feels like it has gathered some dust over the years...More enjoyable as a piece of nostalgia than a fresh gaming experience. [June 2004, p.137]
Read Full Review >GameSpy
Despite my picky complaints, I still really enjoyed my return to Shining Force, and couldn't stop until I got all the way through it.
Read Full Review >NTSC-uk
Shining Force is only worth buying for those who like their RPG meals to be served in small helpings and without any fat. Those who are growing tired of the endless pages of stats and infinite battles that are currently in vogue will find a lot to enjoy here.
Read Full Review >GMR Magazine
If you're frustrated by "FFTA," this is strategy with training wheels. [July 2004, p.92]
Cheat Code Central
Serves a good game to learn the various aspects of turn-based strategy - but little else.
RewiredMind
The fact that the storyline really fails to draw you in at all will doubtless be the main barrier that falls across the path of the casual player.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Scott W. gave it a10:
Beautiful remake. Probably the best out there, in terms of remakes.
Dave W. gave it a10:
For me, this game is a perfect 10. The original was amazing for the time, and this GBA remake is very faithful to the experience. In the context of the time this was released, there isn't a better SRPG.
Gerard H. gave it an 8:
It's a really cool game. The graphics are pretty good and so is the storyline. It was really worth the money.
Tom V. gave it a 9:
Just finished the game! Great remake, better than the original with few new ideas and good graphics. Play it! :)
Albin W gave it a 10:
This game is going to be totaly bad ass. i am psyked about the remake and i can not wait for this classic game that i have loved for many years to hit the selfs again.
Matthew G. gave it an 8:
This seems pretty good so far, though it's kinda hard to play while playing Advance Wars too as they need similar but slightly different tactics and you end up messing it up a lot. Not a fault of the game though, just my brain not being able to keep enough information in it ;) I was also impressed it came out here in the UK before America.
