It’s hard to believe that it’s been well over a decade since we’ve gotten an entry in Sega‘s beloved Shining role-playing series. It actually feels like just the other day that we were enjoying the original Shining Force on Sega Genesis. Well, get ready, because it’s time to feel good about this series all over again.
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Sega has confirmed that it will be bringing out Shining Force Refrain to the West this summer, with a release that will cover the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. It’ll also come out for PC via Steam.
“Shining Resonance Refrain will tell the tale of sword-wielding Yuma and his friends as they fight the Empire,” the company noted in its press release. “This marks the return of the Shining series to the West for the first time in a decade.”
The game was originally released only on the PlayStation 3 from Japan, but obviously Refrain improves upon it with a remaster, as well as dual audio with English and Japanese voiceovers. The game will also include all of its original DLC, included with the “Original Mode”. But there’s an extra “Refrain Mode” as well, which unlocks the Imperial Princess Excella and Dragonslayer Jinas as party members to enhance the experience.
“With real-time action combat, it will be important to utilize each party member’s unique abilities and strengths while deepening relationships with each character. Through events and dates, get to know your party members to unlock their full potential on the battlefield! Depending on the bonds of the characters, ‘Resonance’ may occur between them, providing a new level of support, leading to victory,” the company said.
The game will utilize a B.A.N.D. system to make each battle count. “Dragoneers wield Armonics, ancient weapon-instruments, in order to perform mystical and powerful Rune Songs. Once you build enough BPM (Battle Performance Mana), your party will be able to perform a session through the B.A.N.D. system. Depending on which song you play and which character you set at the center, your party will be able to indulge in various beneficial effects. Certain characters may even perform the song in a special costume!”
Oh, and those who pre-order the game will also receive a special collectible metal slipcase, featuring Excella, Sonia and Kinka on the packaging. The game will retail for $49.99 upon release.
An exact release date wasn’t given, but we’ll see it sometime over the next few months. Welcome back, Shining!
