Shining Force Neo
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| Shining Force Neo | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Neverland Co., Ltd. / Amusement Vision |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Release date(s) |  24 March 2005
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| Genre(s) | Action role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Platform(s) | Playstation 2 |
| Media | 1 DVD |
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Shining Force Neo is a game of the Shining Force series developed by Neverland Co., Ltd. and Sega that was released for the PlayStation 2 in March 2005 in Japan and was followed with a October 2005 release in North America.
Although it is part of the Shining franchise, it is notable that it is not a turn-based strategy game as the other games of the Shining Force sub-series were. Instead, it is in third person taking an action oriented approach to combat, similar in nature to the popular CRPG Diablo by Blizzard Entertainment or the Record of Lodoss War for the Dreamcast (also by Neverland Co., Ltd.. The game features a variety of weaponry inspired by the medieval era, magic, and a collection of skills that can be improved upon for the main character. Like others in the series, it also features anthropomorphic characters and a battle between forces of Light and Darkness. The game is loosely adapted from the original Shining Force game.
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[edit] Backstory
Thirteen years before the game begins, the world was locked in a war against the Clan of the Moon. Foul monsters known as "Legions" were unleashed by the Clan against their enemies in their bid for domination. However, powerful heroes called Forces soon rose up to lead the charge against them. Aided by Force Frames, ordinary warriors became gifted with a variety of powerful advantages that made them more than what they would have been otherwise. With this, the war against the Clan of the Moon began to turn. The Clan's Dark Castle and the Legions were banished in the end. Victory was achieved, but only at a great cost. Several nations were utterly destroyed and most of the Forces that participated in the final battle had perished.
When the story starts, a young warrior named Max has nearly completed the training that will make him a Force. Journeying home, he hopes to achieve his dream, not realizing that it is only the beginning of an adventure that will take him and his friends across the world to stop the return of evil.
[edit] Characters
Throughout Shining Force: Neo there are many characters the player will encounter. However, only the main character (Max) can develop his skills outside of his initial starting role to encompass a larger selection of abilities. The other characters in the game will also progressively grow in power, but remain locked in their roles as there are no provisions made to upgrade their skills in the same way as with Max.
- Max: The Hero of the game is a young warrior at the age of 17. After training for two years to become a Force under his master Graham, he is finally allowed to return home to become a Force. He is an excellent fighter and can use a wide variety of weapons in combat. He is also the only character in the game that the player can customize with particular skill enhancements via his Force Frame.
- Meryl: Max's family friend she became an orphan after her parents died in the war 13 years ago. She has been close to Max since then. She has had magical training allowing her to assist Max with her spells.
- Cain: Max's older brother, he was one of the youngest ever to become a Force. It was said that he had disappeared after being sent on a mission following the war.
- Gaia: Max's father and one of the veteran warriors instrumental in vanquishing the Clan of the Moon in the war 13 years ago. Gaia is regarded as an extremely skilled and powerful Force.
- Graham: A highly-skilled centaur knight and Captain of the Border Knights at Larcyle Fort, he is also a renowned Force and Max's mentor.
- Chiquitita: Lady of Cantore in Feldland, she is also a Force. She is skilled in recovery spells.
- Baron: A Force of Feldland and the wolfing Captain of Quincine Royal Guard, his well spoken mannerisms and quiet demeanor on the battlefield hide his true skills as a Ninja warrior.
- Rhinos: Ex-captain of the Quincine Royal Guard and a Force who lives his life in seclusion, this titan still maintains his skills as a powerful warrior.
- Mariel: She is a Force and a skilled centaur Knight or Eranore. As the party will also discover, she is also the daughter of Graham.
[edit] Music
The Japanese release of this video game includes an opening theme [whereas the US release does not], "Zetsubou to Kibou"[絶望と希望](or if translated, "Despair and Hope") performed by Japanese singer Kawashima Ai[1], previously half of musical duo "I WiSH"[2] . The opening theme is also her seventh single, released in April 6, 2005. An image of the single's cover page can be found here:[3]
![[3]](http://image.excite.co.jp/jp/music/jacket/4562/1663/m/4562166390150_m.jpg){kind=link}