Shining Force EXA

PSM Magazine

All in all, once you get over the fact that Shining Force EXA isn't a "Shining Force" in the strictest sense, you'll be hacking and slashing your way to a darned good time. [May 2007, p.80]

Play Magazine

Shining Force offers small rewards every few minutes, and statisfies through a sort of goal-oriented mediation. [Mar 2007, p.54]

G4 TV

For what it is – a colorful, action-packed dungeon hack – it’s as much of a credit to the Shining Force name as any 15-year-old strategy game.

GameCritics

All in all, Shining Force EXA is a solid game that doesn't quite compare to its predecessor.

Game Informer

Nothing stands out here to make this a must-play title in any sense of the word. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying some average-quality anime-infused hack n’ slash, though.

RPG Fan

While not the worst game I've played, the combination of a dumb story, repetitive gameplay, and those damn in-battle voice clips made me have to relegate it to the scrap pile.

IGN

Decent in bursts: the Geo-Fortress system is engaging, the varied locations and monsters that you'll fight against are varied, and the game is quite long, which should provide a lot of exploration for action RPG fans.

GameZone

Shining Force EXA is can be fun at times, but the simplistic combat can wear you down after a while, and the overall experience is lacking in depth.

GamePro

EXA doesn't do much to further the legacy of the series but at least it doesn't critically damage it either.

GamerNode

Awful sound and repetitive, unchallenging combat wreck any chance this game might have had to succeed with true RPG fans. A few tweaks to this formula, though, and Sega might have something.

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

As a singleplayer experience, Shining Force EXA lacks the druglike addictiveness that makes a good dungeon crawler more than something you kill time with. [Mar 2007, p.54]

Games Radar (in-house)

Shining Force EXA will pass the time; it's just that your memory of it will, ironically, be worn dull six months from now.

GameDaily

Forced switching between two playable characters proves annoying due to their differing abilities, the fixed camera restricts the player's view and the voice samples of party members still repeat with infuriating frequency.

1UP

It's perfect for players who love kill-everything-that-moves games like "Dynasty Warriors" and movies like "300." It's not so perfect for those who fancy themselves "true" Shining Force aficionados, though.

Worth Playing

It's got all the ingredients for a successful hack-and-slash, but falls short in enough areas to discredit itself to all but hardcore fans of the genre.

GameSpy

EXA doesn't differentiate itself from the herd; in fact, its blatant lifting of so much from Neo is a definite detriment. Shining Force EXA isn't extraordinary. Quite the opposite: it's extra ordinary.

GameShark

It's certainly better than "Shining Tears," but it is by no means as good as those classic Shining titles.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

EXA sports the same exact engine, combat system, enemies, environments, and amateur-hour voice acting as 2005's "Shining Force Neo." It's probably more appropriate to think of it as an "expansion pack" than anything else. [Apr 2007, p.89]

Cheat Code Central

Shining Force EXA promises nothing short of a sequel, of sorts, to "Neo." In that regard, it succeeds on a level that makes it a must buy. The fact that the advancements in the game are so miniscule that you don't even really notice them harms the game on a level that would prevent a fan of the series to rush out and buy it.

Digital Entertainment News

Only for long time Sega addicts. If Shining Force was you first RPG (mine was "Shining in the Darkness") there may be something for you here. With a huge RPG library on the PS2, there is no reason to play this very bland game.

Deeko

Another mediocre title that has the Shining slapped on it and packaged for sale. Bearing no likeness to the past masters, the series remains blissfully ensnared in a vile web of putridness that keeps it from being anything other than mediocre.

GameSpot

Shining Force Exa is fun for the first few hours, but it quickly wears out its welcome with dull combat and a frame rate that struggles to keep up with the action.

Game Chronicles

Shining Force EXA is most likely going to be enjoyed by fans of Shining Force Neo, as it is essentially a sequel. If you're not one of those gamers, then just skip it.

games(TM)

There’s hope that the better elements can be salvaged for a future sequel then, but for the time being Sega’s Shining Force isn’t quite as shiny as it should be. [June 2007, p.118]