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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Shining Tears
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 6 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Amusement Vision
Genre(s): Action, Role-Playing Game
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: March 22, 2005
Summary
Shining Tears tells the tale of a young man who has lost his memory and finds himself caught in a war he does not understand. The city he lives in is under siege, and the reason, he is told, revolves around two magical rings of power. In a journey of discovery, the boy and his friends soon realize the terrifying truth about the world they live in. Along the way, they fortify themselves with ever more powerful weaponry, spells, and a rotating cast of allies. The game is a spiritual successor to "Shining in the Darkness" (Genesis) and the "Shining Force" trilogy (Genesis, Saturn). Whereas those classics offered first-person role-playing and strategy role-playing experiences (respectively), Shining Tears is an action role-playing game, featuring real-time battles and cooperative multiplayer game options. [Sega]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: GameSpot Preview GameSpy Preview IGN Preview Official Game Site Official Site (JPN)
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...
Game Informer
The hand-drawn environments are gorgeous, as are the visuals as a whole, but that doesn't mean I want to see the same areas again and again. [March 2005, p.130]
GameShark
Shining Tears is clichéd, has a few flaws in the combat system and is sometimes a little too easy for even one character (let alone a pair of them) to run through. And yet, Despite all its shortcomings, I've really enjoyed playing the game.
Read Full Review >BonusStage
With its repetitive gameplay, terrible A.I., painful slowdown, frequent load times, and clichéd storyline, I honestly have no explanation for why the game can still be fun to play, but it can.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Considering how rich your upgrade options actually are, it's disappointing that the combat itself falls a bit flat. This is a straightforward hack-and-slash that is saddled with an unnecessary partner system and masses of foes that can be easily killed.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
You can save anywhere or enter and exit battles as needed - nice touches that make this one user-friendly. [March 2005, p.124]
Read Full Review >IGN
Hardcore SEGA freaks and RPG nuts will likely be more forgiving than they have to be, but with the simplistic and repetitive nature of the gameplay and the lack of any challenge whatsoever, it'll be hard for anyone to appreciate it as much as they did the Genesis games.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
Even though I had some fun with the Shining Tears, most of it stemmed from nostalgia and imagining what this game could have been.
Read Full Review >PSM Magazine
Those willing to beat back the multiple waves of irritating technical snafus will find a highly flawed, yet ambitious and engaging Action RPG. [March 2005, p.73]
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Pros: Beautiful art, unique team mechanic. Cons: Repetitious battles, poor A.I., slowdown. [March 2005, p.101]
Read Full Review >PSX Extreme
The pacing just kills the experience and the good ideas that the game brings to the table were never executed the way that they were drawn up.
Read Full Review >GameZone
The repetitive gameplay is the real downer for the game. Having to repeat the same steps over and over again gets old quickly.
Read Full Review >NTSC-uk
The graphics are very attractive but there are much better games of this style such as Sega’s own "Shining Soul II." Shining Tears is one for the die-hard fans and 2D enthusiasts only. [JPN Import]
Read Full Review >netjak
I think we're getting to the point where we're going to have to start paying Sega NOT to make games on their own.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
Shining Tears is an applicable title for this game, because anyone who spends their time and money on it will break down in tears... Avoid it like a proposition from a girl walking out of the VD clinic.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 5.0 (out of 10) based on 6 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Dragon Knight of Final Fantasy gave it a0:
I hate this game. Thanks Sega you ruined my Shining series (hopefully Shining Force Neo will be good) like the other series under your belt (i.e. Virtua Quest, Sonic Heroes) the graphics is the best part of the game. Beautiful 2D graphics and cool animation sequences but that doesn't save this game...nothing can.... the sound no voiceovers which well is probably a good thing (we've all seen the acting in Sonic) the music is bad bleck. The gameplay starting with enemy AI dumb is the only word I need they stand in packs waiting for you to ram into them mashing the attack button its annoying and no fun your partner AI retarded is the right word with him running in circles doing nothing to help is all s/he does. You could control him with the right analog stick.....heheheh like that works *sarcasm* ...or you could play Co-Op..but if you think that helps...anyone willing to play this game with you as less brain matter than the game's AI. Killing the monsters is no fun mashing the attack button killing countless idiots with your eyes closed isn't my idea of fun and team attacks....well they're impossible with your stupid AI partner and no one wants to play this trash with you. Stay away far far away.
Phoenix gave it a10:
The best action RPG since Secreat of Mana.
Jithen V. gave it a5:
This game is great. It has great graphics and gameplay. Plus the guys look so cute.
Kyle D. gave it a7:
I am not familiar with the Shining Saga series, other than what I've read from other gamers. I have to applaud this game for its 2-D environments and "Secret of Mana" like playability. The aspect I enjoy most is the ability to play this game co-operatively with a friend. Multiplayer action is missing from so many RPG's. Now don't expect the story to blow you away and there are some issues with the game's menu system (most notably the strange looking menu icons) but if you are interested in 2-D slasher RPG's at all I would reccommend this one.
JJ King gave it a8:
This is the game we've all been waiting for. Yet another installment in the shining saga. It is a real-time RPG and one of the best I've seen to date.
