Lord Spencer's Gaming (and other stuff) Blog

The second Shining Force game, and the one that cemented the series's TRPG direction, is basically a bigger and better version of the first game. That's not to say that it's not a different game with a different story, but it does make it seem like the first one was a test run to make the sequel. Bigger in both size and scope, the game does suffer a little from length, but that's only a problem if you don't like what it gives you in the first place. Shining Force II may be the best TRPG in the 4th generation. 8: Shining Force II: Year: 1994. Genre: TRPG. Publisher: Sega. Developer: Sonic! Software Planning.

The Shining Force series is generally considered Sega's counterpart to Nintendo's own SRPG series, Fire Emblem . For as long as the two games existed together, the Shining Force series actually had more of a Western presence. Unfortunately, the series was one of the many victims of Sega's exit from the console market. However, its games can still be enjoyed today. While the series initially started as an unfortunate dungeon crawling game. It changed gears into an TRPG with the second game, and it was an excellent start to the series. 43- Shining Force: Year: 1992. Genre: SRPG. Publisher: Sega. Developer: Climax Entertainment, Sonic Software Planning.

In a telling signal of its diminishing legacy, several reviews of Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare suggested that it was heavily inspired by Capcom's Resident Evil series, which is obvious to anyone looking at both games in the context of the PS1. However, it was Resident Evil that was inspired by the first Alone in the Dark game, which is the game frequently thought to have originated in the Survival Horror genre. Yet, the game's two sequels were disappointing messes, and Resident Evil's success cemented it as the leader of the genre that The New Nightmare then emulated. Unfortunately, while a competent game at the time, there is little to recommend this game today. #A70: Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare: Year: 2001. Genre: Survival Horror. Publisher: Infogrames. Developer: Darkworks.

Breath of Fire recently came to my mind with the news of Breath of Fire 6 . Which was released with much chagrin by fans of the series and gaming in general as Capcom went ahead to deface another beloved series into a husk of its former self. However, I realized that BoF was never a strongly followed series. It was both critically and financially lukewarm. In Fact, most Final Fantasy titles sold more individually than the entire BoF series combined. Hence, it is somewhat confusing to see many fans remember the game fondly. In reviewing BoF2 , I understood both facts. I understood why the game is remembered fondly by those who played it, and also why it didn't receive much critical or commercial acclaim. #53: Breath of Fire II: Year: 1993(JP), 1995 (NA). Genre: RPG. Publisher: Capcom. Developer: Capcom.

I don't think either fans or Capcom itself would have predicted that Breath of Fire IV would be the last traditional game in the series. After all, it was released with a lot of love from Capcom, and it looked like it was setting up the mythology for future sequels. For whatever reason, the next games in the series went in a completely different direction, and the franchise has since lain dormant. This is a shame because here we have a classic RPG, built in many ways like an updated SNES RPG, that begs for a traditional sequel. After all, I still have bittersweet feelings at its ending, and I wish I was still it was a little bit longer. #75: Breath of Fire IV: Year: 2000. Genre: RPG. Publisher: Capcom. Developer: Capcom.

Both on the SNES and the PS1, Capcom’s Breath of Fire series was rarely considered as examples of the system’s best RPGs. In many ways, they felt too formulaic and safe to be contenders for greatness. On the PS1, where graphics were going into a more 3D and “realistic” style, the first BoF game was firmly planted in the past. Ironically, it is this last quality that best preserves BoF III for today’s players. Its sprites and 2D graphics and animations have aged better than most PS1 RPGs, and what may have been considered (erroneously) a weakness at one point is the game’s biggest strength along with a surprisingly good story and characters. Yet, other weaknesses that were noted in the past, such as a lack of innovation and depth in its combat and an overall sluggishness to the experience, all contribute to dragging the game down. In the end, BoF III’s adherence to past SNES RPGs is both its biggest strength and most damaging weakness #75(S): Breath of Fire III: Year: 1997 (JP), 19...

While they are not a very well-known developer, Treasure managed to carve a well-regarded niche for themselves. They are known to make all kinds of solid action shooters from Shmups like Radiant Silvergun to Run 'n Guns like Gunstar Heroes . As such, fans of the developers know what to expect here, and Silhouette Mirage mostly delivers on that front. It has a great shooter foundation and adds to it a unique color-coded shooting mechanic in addition to a funny story and charming characters. Yet, several minor shortcomings add up to detract from the final game, holding it back from being one of Treasure's best, erm, treasures. 84: Silhouette Mirage: Year: 1998 (JP), 2000 (NA). Genre: Run 'n Gun. Publisher: Working Designs. Developer: Treasure.