Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Shining Force EXA departs from the series’ traditional turn-based roots and embraces a more action-oriented RPG approach. Combat unfolds in real time, encouraging players to chain light and heavy attacks, dodge incoming blows, and unleash powerful “art” abilities unique to each character. This system makes battles feel dynamic and engaging, as you learn enemy patterns and experiment with different move combinations to maximize your damage output.

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The game’s “art” system offers depth and customization, allowing you to tailor each character’s arsenal of special moves. Between battles, you can enhance weapons and armor via an upgrade system that uses materials gathered on missions. This crafting element incentivizes exploration and resource management, as finding rare components unlocks new power tiers and visual upgrades for your gear.

Beyond individual skirmishes, Shining Force EXA introduces a layer of strategic planning through the Geo-Fortress, your mobile headquarters. You’ll collect rare materials to upgrade the fortress across three escalating forms, each unlocking new facilities. Inside, you can build shops, train party members, and select which characters to bring on quests. The added tension of fortress attacks—forcing you to defend your base—keeps strategic considerations fresh alongside the high-octane action.

Graphics

Visually, Shining Force EXA leans into a bright, stylized aesthetic that complements its fast-paced combat. Environments range from verdant forests and crumbling ruins to fiery demon strongholds, each rendered in vibrant color palettes. Level design strikes a balance between open arenas for sweeping battles and tighter corridors that demand more tactical positioning.

Character models are crisp and expressive, with each hero sporting distinctive armor sets and weapon designs. The art system’s upgrades don’t just boost stats—they also alter the look of your gear, giving you a tangible sense of progression. Combat animations feel fluid, with satisfying impact frames and flashy effects when unleashing high-level arts or fortified weapon strikes.

While the visual style occasionally leans on familiar JRPG tropes, performance remains stable in most encounters. Frame rates hold up even during larger battles, and load times between dungeon segments are reasonable. The user interface is clean and legible, presenting health bars, art gauges, and quick-access menus without obscuring the action on screen.

Story

The narrative of Shining Force EXA centers on the escalating war between humans of the Noswald Empire and the demon realm of Fyrlandt. You begin by choosing between Toma, a sword-wielding warrior with a strong sense of justice, or Cyrille, an enigmatic sorceress driven by mysterious motives. Early on, you meet Gadfort the loyal knight and Maebelle the elfin archer, each bringing their own perspective and personal stakes to the quest.

As the party sets out to locate the holy sword Shining Force—a legendary weapon said to turn the tide of war—the story unfolds through a mix of field conversations and cinematic cutscenes. Character interactions are heartfelt and occasionally humorous, helping to humanize each member of your team. Toma’s straightforward determination and Cyrille’s more guarded outlook create a natural tension that plays out across key plot revelations.

The plot takes you through a series of escalating conflicts—skirmishes at fortress gates, daring infiltrations into enemy territory, and climactic showdowns with powerful demon lords. Although the overarching premise of a human-demon war isn’t groundbreaking, the personal journeys of the main cast give the story enough emotional weight to keep you invested until the final confrontation.

Overall Experience

Shining Force EXA successfully marries action-RPG combat with strategic base management, offering a fresh take on the classic series formula. The high-energy battles and customizable art system deliver immediate thrills, while Geo-Fortress upgrades and party planning introduce satisfying long-term goals. If you enjoyed Shining Force NEO’s action focus, you’ll appreciate how EXA refines and expands on many of its predecessor’s best ideas.

Newcomers to the Shining Force universe will find EXA approachable, thanks to its intuitive controls and clear progression systems. Series veterans may miss the old-school grid-based strategy, but the game’s blend of action, crafting, and fortress defense opens up a different kind of tactical depth. The story hits familiar JRPG beats, but the chemistry between Toma, Cyrille, Gadfort, and Maebelle brings charm and momentum to every chapter.

All told, Shining Force EXA is a rewarding adventure for players seeking fast-paced combat underpinned by meaningful customization and strategic choices. Its combination of engaging gameplay loops, vibrant graphics, and a cast of memorable characters makes it a solid recommendation for action-RPG fans looking to wield the Shining Force sword once more.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10