Shining in the Darkness: Difference between revisions
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Additionally, the dungeon contains three characters in need of rescue. Rescuing any or all of the three is optional, and the story changes depending on whether or not the player locates and returns each of these characters to safety. |
Additionally, the dungeon contains three characters in need of rescue. Rescuing any or all of the three is optional, and the story changes depending on whether or not the player locates and returns each of these characters to safety. |
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Another key innovation is its icon-based menu system. This is used for |
Another key innovation is its icon-based menu system. This is used for battles in dungeons, equipment management, and character interactions in town.<ref name="segapro_shining"/> |
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==Story== |
==Story== |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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{{VG Reviews |
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|Dragon = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Dragon178"/> |
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|rev1 = RPGFan |
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|rev1Score = 82%<ref>{{cite web|title=Shining in the Darkness|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/shininginthedarkness/Shining_in_the_Darkness.html|publisher=RPGFan|accessdate=8 February 2012|author=Musashi|date=04/18/99}}</ref> |
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|rev2 = ''[[Sega Force]]'' |
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|rev2Score = 90%<ref>{{cite journal|last=Osborne|first=Ian|title=Reviewed: Shining in the Darkness|journal=[[Sega Force]]|year=1992|month=January|issue=1|pages=52-3}}</ref> |
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|rev3 = ''[[Sega Pro]]'' |
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|rev3Score = 93%<ref name="segapro_shining"/> |
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}} |
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''[[Sega Pro]]'' reviewed the game in 1991 and gave it a 93% score, describing the dungeon crawler as "superior to all other RPGs of this style," praising its detailed "background preparation," detailed graphics (including [[2.5D|scaling sprites]] and water effects), character conversations, sound design (especially around taverns), replayability ("Every game is different"), and its innovative icon-based menu system.<ref name="segapro_shining">{{cite journal|title=Shining in the Darkness|journal=[[Sega Pro]]|year=1991|month=November|issue=1|url=http://www.outofprintarchive.com/articles/reviews/MegaDrive.html|accessdate=29 January 2012}}</ref> The game was reviewed in 1992 in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #178 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 4 out of 5 stars.<ref name="Dragon178">{{cite journal |
''[[Sega Pro]]'' reviewed the game in 1991 and gave it a 93% score, describing the dungeon crawler as "superior to all other RPGs of this style," praising its detailed "background preparation," detailed graphics (including [[2.5D|scaling sprites]] and water effects), character conversations, sound design (especially around taverns), replayability ("Every game is different"), and its innovative icon-based menu system.<ref name="segapro_shining">{{cite journal|title=Shining in the Darkness|journal=[[Sega Pro]]|year=1991|month=November|issue=1|url=http://www.outofprintarchive.com/articles/reviews/MegaDrive.html|accessdate=29 January 2012}}</ref> The game was reviewed in 1992 in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #178 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 4 out of 5 stars.<ref name="Dragon178">{{cite journal |
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|title=The Role of Computers |
|title=The Role of Computers |
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==Legacy== |
==Legacy== |
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''Shining in the Darkness'' is considered by many gaming historians to be a pioneer of Japanese console RPGs, especially in Europe, which would not see a ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' game until more than six years after ''Shining in the Darkness'' made its mark in the region.<ref>Day, A (2008). "The History of Shining Force", ''Retro Gamer'' (58): 66-73.</ref> One of the game's key innovations was its introduction of an icon-based menu system, |
''Shining in the Darkness'' is considered by many gaming historians to be a pioneer of Japanese console RPGs, especially in Europe, which would not see a ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' game until more than six years after ''Shining in the Darkness'' made its mark in the region.<ref>Day, A (2008). "The History of Shining Force", ''Retro Gamer'' (58): 66-73.</ref> One of the game's key innovations was its introduction of an icon-based menu system,<ref name="segapro_shining"/> possibly inspired by ''[[Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom|Phantasy Star III]]'' (1990).<ref name="Dragon178">{{cite journal|title=The Role of Computers|author=Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk|journal=Dragon|issue=178|date=February 1992|pages=57–64}}</ref> The game also marked the beginning of the successful [[Shining (series)|''Shining'' series]], which has since produced more than 20 video games and an animated TV series. |
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The second game in the ''Shining'' series, ''[[Shining Force|Shining Force: Legacy of Great Intention]]'', diverged greatly in game-play mechanic; however, many stylistic parts are reminiscent of ''Shining in the Darkness'', including music and art. Other features such as the distinctive menu system, the use of priests for saving games and resurrecting characters, and several magic spells would continue to be used in every game in the series up to and including ''[[Shining Force III]]'', with the notable exception of ''[[Shining Wisdom]]''. |
The second game in the ''Shining'' series, ''[[Shining Force|Shining Force: Legacy of Great Intention]]'', diverged greatly in game-play mechanic; however, many stylistic parts are reminiscent of ''Shining in the Darkness'', including music and art. Other features such as the distinctive menu system, the use of priests for saving games and resurrecting characters, and several magic spells would continue to be used in every game in the series up to and including ''[[Shining Force III]]'', with the notable exception of ''[[Shining Wisdom]]''. |
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Revision as of 23:08, 8 February 2012
| Shining in the Darkness | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Climax Entertainment Sonic! Software Planning |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Platform(s) | Sega Mega Drive, Virtual Console |
| Release | Mega Drive Virtual Console |
| Genre(s) | Dungeon crawler RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Shining in the Darkness, released as Shining and the Darkness (シャイニング&ザ・ダクネス) in Japan, is a 1991 role-playing video game for the Mega Drive/Genesis video game console. It was one of the first RPGs released for the system, and began the Shining RPG series that would span four Sega video game consoles as well as the Game Boy Advance and PlayStation 2.
On August 13, 2007, the game was re-released on the Wii Virtual Console in North America and on September 7, 2007 the game was re-released in Europe.
The game appears in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.[4]
Gameplay
Shining in the Darkness is a "dungeon-crawler" RPG. The game puts the player in control of the main character as he and two friends (Pyra and Milo) explore 3-dimensionally rendered dungeon mazes.
The game consists of story line interaction, dungeon exploration, random monster fights, and predetermined 'boss' fights. The combat in this game operates similarly to certain role-playing video games of the same era (e.g. Dragon Quest). Monster encounters happen randomly during dungeon exploration at which point turn-based combat proceeds.
Additionally, the dungeon contains three characters in need of rescue. Rescuing any or all of the three is optional, and the story changes depending on whether or not the player locates and returns each of these characters to safety.
Another key innovation is its icon-based menu system. This is used for battles in dungeons, equipment management, and character interactions in town.[5]
Story
Shining in the Darkness is set in the kingdom of Thornwood. The king's daughter and the main character's father have vanished, while the evil sorcerer Dark Sol has appeared to threaten the kingdom. The main character is charged to find the Arms of Light, rescue the princess and his father, and stop Dark Sol.
Shining Series continuity
In Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict, it is revealed that the villain of Shining in the Darkness, Mephisto (called Dark Sol in the English versions), is the son of Darksol and his chief follower, the sorceress Mishaela (the villains of Shining Force I). After the final defeat of Darksol, the child was whisked away by Oddeye, the foremost Greater Devil of Darksol's archenemy, Zeon.
Mephisto's role in Shining in the Darkness places its entry in the timeline sometime following the events of Shining Force II. Since Shining Wisdom takes place but a few years later, it almost certainly takes place after Shining Wisdom as well.
Development
Sega allocated the bare minimum budget offered to out-of-house developers for the creation of Shining in the Darkness. In a 2009 interview, Hiroyuki Takahashi (credited for "writing" and producing the game) recalled:
Because we were on such a tight budget, apart from the programming and graphics, I did nearly all of the work on Shining in the Darkness. I suppose the basic concept behind Darkness was 'realism'. I thought it would be exciting if the player could actually travel to a fantasy world and walk around, exploring old houses, dungeons and other places. It was in essence a continuation of the sense of excitement you'd get from moving through the dungeons in older games such as Wizardry. By 'reality' I'm not talking about true realism - I mean the feeling that you really are progressing through actual houses and dungeons, and the same thing applied to the battles.[6]
Translation issues
The English versions of Shining in the Darkness mistranslate Mephisto's name as "Dark Sol", which has led to much confusion amongst gamers, since this is virtually identical to the name of Mephisto's father, Darksol. Several other characters also have altered names, and the nation in which the game is set, Stormsong, is renamed as Thornwood.
Reception
Sega Pro reviewed the game in 1991 and gave it a 93% score, describing the dungeon crawler as "superior to all other RPGs of this style," praising its detailed "background preparation," detailed graphics (including scaling sprites and water effects), character conversations, sound design (especially around taverns), replayability ("Every game is different"), and its innovative icon-based menu system.[5] The game was reviewed in 1992 in Dragon #178 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 4 out of 5 stars.[7]
Legacy
Shining in the Darkness is considered by many gaming historians to be a pioneer of Japanese console RPGs, especially in Europe, which would not see a Final Fantasy game until more than six years after Shining in the Darkness made its mark in the region.[10] One of the game's key innovations was its introduction of an icon-based menu system,[5] possibly inspired by Phantasy Star III (1990).[7] The game also marked the beginning of the successful Shining series, which has since produced more than 20 video games and an animated TV series.
The second game in the Shining series, Shining Force: Legacy of Great Intention, diverged greatly in game-play mechanic; however, many stylistic parts are reminiscent of Shining in the Darkness, including music and art. Other features such as the distinctive menu system, the use of priests for saving games and resurrecting characters, and several magic spells would continue to be used in every game in the series up to and including Shining Force III, with the notable exception of Shining Wisdom.
The game Shining the Holy Ark gave the series a fleeting return to the dungeon crawler game-play mechanic, and uses a remix of the dungeon theme from Shining in the Darkness in its soundtrack.
References
- ^ Release data, GameFAQs.com.
- ^ Game data, IGN.com
- ^ Virtual Console release data, GameFAQs.com.
- ^ Review for Xbox 360 version of Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, IGN.
- ^ a b c d "Shining in the Darkness". Sega Pro (1). 1991. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ (November 2009). "Behind the Scenes: Shining Force", GamesTM (90): 136-41.
- ^ a b c Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk (February 1992). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (178): 57–64.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Cite error: The named reference "Dragon178" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ Musashi (04/18/99). "Shining in the Darkness". RPGFan. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Osborne, Ian (1992). "Reviewed: Shining in the Darkness". Sega Force (1): 52–3.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Day, A (2008). "The History of Shining Force", Retro Gamer (58): 66-73.