Not even worth looking at.
Review 202
Released: September 23, 2003
Publisher: Atlus Co.
Developer: Next Entertainment
Game Genre: Action Role-Playing
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
ESRB Descriptors: Animated Violence
Story: 30%
Gameplay: 40%
Graphics: 20%
Durability: 10%
Story (2/10)
I threw up in my mouth about an hour into this game. At this point in time, one would think that RPGs have advanced far enough that generic storylines would no longer be a concern. Well, if it's bland and repetitive that you're looking for, look no further. Dark Dragon (holy cow, that's original!) is terrorizing the world, and you, the hero, must stop him.
Gameplay (4/10)
As with most poorly developed action RPGs, Shining Soul soon becomes a monotonous hack and slash nightmare. Enemies have no intelligence. The entire game consists of walking up to an enemy, pressing A three times, and walking on to the next one. Non-Playable Characters have nothing useful to say, making you miss the hacking and slashing.
Another tremendous downside is the lack of a party. It's only you out there. Granted, you do get to choose between four different classes. However, your character has no personality and neither do the people your character talks to.
Graphics (7/10)
The graphics aren't too bad. Very cartoony, and minimal pixilation. They have a kind of Harvest Moon look to them.
Durability (3/10)
Overall Score (3.9/10)
Rounded Score (4/10)