For instance, being resistant to getting knocked back at level one is essentially useless, but powering up that trait will effectively plant your character's feet on the ground regardless of what monster hits them in combat.Įxpect+to+go+up+against+a+large+number+of+strange+beasts. You won't have to activate these abilities once you've acquired them, as they'll constantly be turned on for your character, but you will have to level them up with Mythril, a special ore to make them effective in battle. There are two separate kinds of arts: Power Arts, which relate to the individual character, and Secret Arts, which can be bestowed upon weapons or armor. Akin to skills, these arts bestow a variety of features on the main characters, such as improved health and magic regeneration, resistance to being stunned and extra damage against specific monster types. Toma and Cyrille will also have access to various Arts as they explore their world, collecting them through specialized tablets. However, you have no control over these attendants, since they're AI controlled.
Players can select two other companions to travel with you in a support role, providing additional firepower and magical abilities during battle. But don't think that you have to face off against the various giants, lizard beasts and other monsters in the game.
By holding the X button down you can charge attacks, or chain together a special strike by holding X after a combo that is much more powerful. The two characters can perform a number of combo attacks based on the weapon and the number of times you pound on the X button. Depending on the weapon chosen, Cyrille can also cast magic spells at her enemies. As a swordsman, Toma can wield one and two handed weapons with ease, while Cyrille uses spell books as a melee weapon and crossbows for distance attacks. That's+not+a+knife.This+is+a+Knife! Unlike most RPGs, Toma and Cyrille are both playable characters that you can switch back and forth between during battle to take advantage of their abilities. Over the course of numerous chapters, Toma and his friends will attempt to use the power of the Geo-Fortress and Shining Force to save the world and end the hostilities between both peoples. Unfortunately for him and his friends, the drawing of the magic blade also sets into motion a massive conflict between the Human Noswald Empire and the humanoid Fyrlandt comprised of the Magnus. As the Heritor, Toma becomes the master of a massive castle known as the Geo-Fortress. Stumbling onto the sword in a cave, the four attempt to draw the sword from its resting place, with Toma coming away as the chosen one known as the Heritor. The four characters have joined together to search for a legendary sword known as Shining Force, rumored to provide its wielder with incredible power, but lost after an epic battle with an evil deity. But has the luster dulled on the franchise? In some ways, it has, although it's still somewhat enjoyable, primarily in small doses.ĮXA is the tale of a group of four heroes: Toma, a young, impetuous swordsman Cyrille, a mysterious magician Gadfort, a virtuous knight and Maebelle, a elven archer.
Shining force exa characters series#
The latest title in the series is Shining Force EXA which places a new twist on the Arthurian legends of old. It's now 15 years later, the franchise has bounced around numerous console and handheld systems, and the focus of the title has changed dramatically from tactical maneuvers to hack and slash action. When Shining Force was released for the Genesis in 1992, it was an excellent turn based strategy RPG that required players to maneuver their forces around a grid, defeating enemies and gaining experience for their soldiers.