is an action role-playing game

Action role-playing game

Action role-playing games form a loosely defined sub-genre of role-playing video games that incorporate elements of action or action-adventure games, emphasizing real-time action where the player has direct control over characters, instead of turn-based or menu-based combat...

 co-developed by Neverland

Neverland Co.

Neverland Co., Ltd. is a Japanese video game developer founded on May 7, 1993. It has developed games for Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Dreamcast, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Color, Nintendo DS, PSP and the Wii...

 and Amusement Vision and published by Sega

Sega

, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...

 in 2005 for the Sony

Sony

, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....

 PlayStation 2

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...

 as a part of the Shining Force series.

Although it is part of the Shining franchise, it is not a turn-based strategy game as the other games of the Shining Force sub-series were. Instead, it uses real time action, similar in nature to the popular game Diablo

Diablo (video game)

Diablo is a dark fantasy-themed action role-playing game developed by Blizzard North and released by Blizzard Entertainment on December 31, 1996....

or Record of Lodoss War for the Dreamcast (the latter also by Neverland). 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 other games in the series, it features anthropomorphic characters and a battle between forces of Light and Darkness. The story is loosely adapted from the original Shining Force

Shining Force

Shining Force, known as in Japan, and otherwise known as Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention, is a 1992 turn-based strategy role-playing video game for the Mega Drive/Genesis console...

.

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.

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 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 Max.

• Max: 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 can use a wide variety of weapons in combat and is also the only character 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. She has had magical training, allowing her to assist Max.

• Cain: Max's older brother. He was one of the youngest warriors ever to become a Force. It was said that he 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 of Eranore. As the party will also discover, she is also the daughter of Graham.

• Dryu: A baby dragon found by Klein and Freya. Her attacks include fire breath, a kick and a shockwave.

• Adam: A robot that raised Max and his brother as a child. He is a powerful warrior.

Reception

• X-Play gave it a 3 out of 5.

• The English version has been noted for its extremely bad voice acting. It was rumored back in 2005 that the English voices were done by a children's theatre troupe, none of which were professionals. http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/shiningforceneo/index.html

Music

The Japanese release includes the opening theme "Zetsubou to Kibou" [絶望と希望] (or if translated, "Despair and Hope") performed by Ai Kawashima

Ai Kawashima

, born February 21, 1986 in Sawara-ku, Fukuoka, is a Japanese singer-songwriter and pianist.- Profile :Kawashima dreamed of becoming a singer from a young age. Her father vanished before she was born, and she was raised by her mother. She first began learning to play the piano at the age of 3....

, previously half of musical duo "I WiSH

I WiSH

I WiSH is a Japanese pop group consisting of two members, Ai Kawashima and nao. Ai is responsible for the vocals and occasionally plays the piano also with nao on the keyboard or piano. Their most notable track is and was in the Oricon rankings for over a year. Nao learned the piano when he was 5...

". The song was released as a single on April 6, 2005.