Shining Force 2 Wiki
Shining Force II is a tactical role-playing game developed by Sonic! Software Planning in 1993 for the Mega Drive/Genesis console. While its storyline is not directly connected to the original Shining Force, a Game Gear title called Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict links the two games’ plots.
In contrast to its predecessor, Shining Force II offers a longer and more “free-roaming” gameplay experience. There is no chapter system, allowing players to revisit previously explored areas in the world. The game also introduces several new methods for promoting the playable characters.
Shining Force II received praise from critics and is often considered on par with or superior to its predecessor. It has earned a reputation as one of the best video games ever made, frequently appearing on “top 100” lists. The game was followed by Shining Force CD and Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict. A sequel titled Shining Wisdom was released in 1995.
Over the years, Shining Force II has seen numerous re-releases and remasters on modern consoles. It became available on the Wii Virtual Console in Europe on October 3, 2008, and in North America on October 6, 2008. Furthermore, it was included in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on April 21, 2022. Additionally, the game was made accessible on iOS and Android devices in October 2018. Moreover, it features in various game compilations such as Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Sega Genesis Classics for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5, and as a standalone title on Microsoft Windows and Steam.
Shining Force 2 Walkthrough
Welcome to the world of Shining Force 2, an exciting tactical RPG filled with thrilling battles and an engrossing storyline. In this walkthrough, we’ll guide you through the early stages of the game, from the moment you wake up in your bed to your first major battle.
The Beginning: As the game starts, you’ll find yourself waking up in your bed. After a quick chat with your mom, head downstairs. Proceed eastward until you reach the school, where you’ll encounter Sarah. Engage in a conversation with her and then head downstairs to talk to Sir Astral. Now, make your way back upstairs and take a seat next to Chester, the centaur-like character.
The Castle and the First Battle: Astral will approach, but soon, a soldier will interrupt and take him to the castle. This is where Sarah comes up with a plan. She’ll ask you a question, and when you answer ‘yes,’ both Sarah and Chester will join your Force. Now, leave your house and head north to the castle.
As you approach the castle, two guards will try to stop you. However, Sarah’s clever persuasion will convince them to let you in. Once inside, climb the stairs to your left and continue upward until you reach a room with more stairs in the upper-right-hand corner. Proceed upstairs and engage in a long conversation.
After the dialogue, Sir Astral will leave the room. Head back downstairs and go left to talk to Astral again. Answer ‘yes’ to his question, and then follow him up the stairs until you reach a guard. Talk to the guard and proceed through the passage. Follow the path to the tower and get ready for your first battle.
Battle 1 – Gizmo Showdown: In this battle, you’ll face 6 Gizmos, each having 5 HP. Their movements are random, so strategizing is essential. Keep your characters close together, within 1 space of each other. Proceed slowly, and if only one Gizmo attacks, surround it with all your characters and attack. If multiple Gizmos attack, use Chester and Sarah to engage them, and let Bowie go in for the final blow. Remember, Sarah can heal, so prioritize healing Bowie first, followed by Sarah, and then Chester.
The King’s Request: After the battle, follow Sir Astral back to the room where the King was sick. Go up one more floor from there to witness a talking/fighting sequence. The screen will darken, and then the King and Minister will talk to you. The King will request you to fetch Hawel, a historian who resides northwest of Granseal, past Yeel, your hometown. Accept the quest and exit the castle.
Jaha’s Arrival and Battle 2: Upon exiting the castle, go southwest in the town where you’ll meet Jaha, who will join your party. Visit the shop to the north and purchase a Short Sword for Bowie and a Short Spear for Chester. Grab a few Medical Herbs, but be cautious with your money, as you lose half of it every time you lose a battle. Once you’re prepared, head west out of town, and you’ll enter Battle 2.
Battle 2 – Huge Rats and Oozes: In this battle, you’ll encounter 2 Huge Rats and 4 Oozes. Be cautious, as it’s a bit more challenging than the first one. Position Jaha to the left of Chester to divert the Huge Rat’s attack. Let everyone else attack except for Sarah, who should remain back to heal. Prioritize Bowie, Jaha, Sarah, and Chester in the Healing Order. Take out the Oozes first, then approach the Huge Rat and Ooze slowly, attacking when the Rat is almost defeated.
Exploring Yeel and Battle 3: After Battle 2, head northwest until you reach the town of Yeel. There is no weapons shop here, so heal your party at the church and proceed to the top of the town. Talk to Kazin, the man in brown, and he will lead you to Hawel’s house. Prepare for Battle 3.
Battle 3 – Huge Bats and Oozes: In this battle, you’ll face 2 Huge Rats, 3 Oozes, and 1 Huge Bat. Watch out for the Huge Bat’s sleep-inducing attacks. Begin by moving north to attack, allowing the Huge Bat to come to you. Pound on it with your whole team. Once it’s dealt with, eliminate the other enemies. Maintain the Healing Order of Bowie, Jaha, Sarah, and Chester.
Kazin’s Tragic Loss and Battle 4: When you enter Hawel’s house, two soldiers will flee, and Kazin will mourn the loss of his master. Kazin, the MAGE, then joins your Force. He’s a powerful spellcaster but beware of his low defense. Only let him attack when necessary, as he might run out of MP. Leave the house and brace yourself for Battle 4.
Battle 4 – Huge Bats, Galam Archers, and Soldiers: In this battle, you’ll face 3 Huge Bats, 2 Galam Archers, and 3 Galam Soldiers. Be cautious of the powerful archers. Protect Kazin by keeping him at least 2 spaces away from enemies when attacking. Prioritize healing order: Bowie, Kazin, Jaha, Sarah, and Chester. Whether you win or lose, you’ll end up in Galam Jail.
Escaping Galam Jail and Battle 5: After a lengthy dialogue, Slade, the rat, will show you an exit from the jail. Grab the Chirrup Sandals next to it, and then follow the tunnel until you exit. Continue through the kitchen upstairs, and then head left to initiate Battle 5.
Battle 5 – Galam Archers, Soldiers, Knight, and Mages: In this battle, you’ll confront 2 Galam Archers, 3 Galam Soldiers, 1 Galam Knight, and 2 Galam Mages. The Galam Knight is the boss, so defeat him to win the battle. Move forward quickly to take out the enemies on the west side of the wall. Keep your team healed and continue the fight. Prioritize healing order: Bowie, Kazin, Sarah, Jaha, and Chester.
The Jewel of Light and Battle 6: After Battle 5, you’ll receive the Jewel of Light. It fuses to your leader’s neck, granting power. Slade then joins your Force. Head to the weapons store and purchase a Short Rod for Sarah and equip it. If you didn’t get one from the Galam Mage, buy another one for Kazin. Also, get the latest Lance for Chester. Now, leave the town and prepare for Battle 6.
Battle 6 – Galam Soldiers, Archer, Mages, Knights, and Dark Cleric: In this battle, you’ll face 3 Galam Soldiers, 1 Galam Archer, 2 Galam Mages, 2 Galam Knights, and 1 Dark Cleric. Take on the knights cautiously, attacking when they come near. Then,
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Shining Force 2 Guide
Shining Force is a strategic RPG that bears a resemblance to Final Fantasy Tactics, captivating modern gamers since its release in the mid-90s. Players take on the role of Max, the leader of the Shining Force, and must lead their party members to victory against 30 different groups of enemies through strategic planning.
Game Controls:
During out-of-battle exploration, players can use the A and C buttons to confirm actions and the B button to cancel, similar to most RPGs. The directional pad is used to navigate menus and move characters. In-battle controls are similar, with A and C for confirmation, B for canceling, and the directional pad for cursor movement and character actions.
Game Menus:
Out-of-Battle: Pressing A or C brings up the menu, offering options to Talk, access the Item menu, view Magic spells, and Search for objects and treasure chests. In-Battle: During battles, A or C opens the battle menu with options to Attack, use Magic spells, access the Item menu, and Wait for the character’s next turn.
Statistics:
Characters gain experience levels through battles, improving their statistics. HP represents hit points and decreases when attacked; reaching 0 results in defeat. MP stands for magic points, consumed when casting spells. ATT determines the damage dealt in attacks, while DEF reduces damage received from enemies. AGI affects turn order in battle and the likelihood of successful attacks or dodges. MOV indicates how far a character can move during their turn. EXP represents experience points gained through offensive or supportive actions, leading to level-ups. L indicates the number of times a character has reached 100 EXP and influences experience point gain for offensive actions.
Battles and Victory Conditions:
In battles, players can win by defeating all enemies, a specific enemy, or reaching a designated location guarded by enemies. The game ends if Max is defeated. Players can retreat using items or spells like Angel Wing, Speed Ring, or Egress. A retreat to a town or exit also works if victory seems unattainable.
Battle Strategy:
Formulating a balanced party with fighters, healers, and mages is crucial for success in battles. Anticipate enemy actions, especially from mages, and avoid grouping characters too closely to prevent severe consequences. Be cautious of Land Effect, which reduces mobility for some characters.
Using Items:
In battles, players can use consumable items (non-rings or weapons) and permanent items (rings or weapons). Consumable items disappear after use, so it’s essential to consider their usage carefully. Casting spells with permanent items is possible, but rings may crack with use and require immediate repair. Permanent stat-boosting items are best used after character promotion to maximize their benefit.
Equipping Items:
Optimally equip weapons that improve statistics significantly, but consider exceptions like using spears for Knights and Paladins for ranged attacks. Spell-casters should generally focus on spells rather than melee attacks. Beware of cursed items, as they cannot be removed without special remedies.
Shining Force 2 Gameplay
Shining Force is a turn-based tactical role-playing game that features battles taking place on square grids, with each unit occupying one square. Units have a fixed movement range based on their Move statistic, allowing them to perform actions like attacking, casting spells, using items, or searching the area depending on their position relative to enemies and allies. Certain commands, such as equipping or dropping items, do not count as actions. The turn order is determined by the unit’s agility score and a random seed.
Like many RPGs, units in Shining Force grow stronger by engaging in combat or performing actions like healing allies, earning them experience points (EXP) that lead to level-ups.
The game introduces each allied unit as a distinct character with their own background and personality, similar to the Fire Emblem series. While most characters do not significantly impact the plot upon joining the player’s army, they contribute to the overall gameplay.
Each allied unit possesses a class, defining their abilities and granting access to spells and equipment. Units can be promoted to another class between levels 10 or 20. Upon promotion, their level resets to 1, and statistics are reduced by a fixed amount, although they start higher if they were promoted to a higher level.
The primary objectives in battles are relatively straightforward: defeat all enemies, eliminate the enemies’ leader, or advance to a specific location like a town or landmark. The player loses if the enemy kills their leader, Max, or if they choose to escape the battle using Egress. However, even in defeat, the player’s Force retains any earned experience, resulting in no “Game Over.” Max’s death, though, leads to the loss of half the player’s money.
Apart from battle, the game features an exploration mode outside of combat, resembling a traditional Japanese-style RPG like Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest. In this mode, the player controls Max, who can freely roam, interact with NPCs, discover treasures, purchase equipment, and items, organize the army, and select members for upcoming battles.
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