A good Genesis game, but I don't think it is worth the $80 it was going for when it came out.
The graphics in Shining are large and vibrant. There really isn’t much to the backgrounds in the game and most are recycled, but it is the enemies that show Shining’s graphical prowess. The enemies are quite detailed and there is a decent variety to them. Music wise, there isn’t much but a few tracks. What few tracks Shining has are not bad, but they might get old because of the time you have to put into the game. I ended up turning the sound down and playing CDs.
Shining is a typical RPG in most respects. You are in a fantasy like setting, you fight monsters and gain experience and gold, and you have a large assortment of weapons and magic to use. Where Shining differs is that you are confined to a first person view of a dungeon. It is like the dungeons in the original Phantasy Star for those who recall that game. Most RPG’s have most of the action take place from a top view perspective. There really aren’t any towns for you to visit other than the one in the beginning, but it does offer enough variety throughout the game. The dungeon is divided up into different parts, but being confined to one area can get taxing. You start off alone, but you do get two partners to your party, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Not as many as other RPGs, but it does avoid the problems associated with managing a large party.
Was I disappointed that my friend chose Shining instead of my recommendation? In hindsight, I don’t since we spent many hours playing Shining and I cleared it before he did, Ha! Ha! I don’t think I would of paid $80 for it now or then, though.