Shining Force (Sega Genesis, 1992)

If you are looking for a good game for an older console, and you have never considered Shining Force, then you definately should. Way before the days of Final Fantasy Tactics there was a 2D game with a strategy flavor: Shining Force. This game had a decent story for its time, but it really shined in its easy, yet addictive, gameplay.

Graphics: By today's standards, terrible. Playing it on a Genesis, it looks fine. The animations are well done, and while the game is dated, it has a clean look to it that good 2D games always possess.

Gameplay: This is where the game shines. The game is easy to pick up. You have a group of characters and move them around on a chessboard-like environment, attacking enemies with different types of weapons. However, the gameplay throws twists at you, as managing your health, keeping your group together, and knowing when to use magic (or to recharge) is key. Winning every battle may take a few attempts. The hardest three battles are spaced out evenly in the game, and only one could give you headaches. You cannot save during battle though, so have an hour to devote to the game.

Sound: For its day, the tunes the game has are very good. Using Midi to its fullest extent.

Cons: The game is not nearly as complex as some would like, but for a person who likes this style of RPG, it can be very fun. Remember, you can also explore towns in between battles, so you will get a sense of adventure, not just pure battles.

Overall, an excellent rating, if you base it off of games from its era. Today, it may not have the appeal of modern games. Though it is easily worth a purchase.