Product reviewsShining Force III (Sega Saturn, 1998)

An excellent strategy RPG game for any fan of the Shining Force series!

Shining Force 3 is an excellent RPG for anyone who is a fan of strategy and tactical gameplay. It eschews the traditional "random encounter" turn based RPG format for a strategy-style battle gameplay mode. Shining Force's battles could be like a board game: the characters move in spaces on a grid and attack enemies with either magic or physical attacks. The Saturn version updates and improves upon the Genesis games by adding 3D graphics, longer battles, more characters, and an in-depth storyline. The most interesting thing about the story is that it is set in a feudalist world, but unlike traditional fantasy genre it combines elements of science fiction. For example, there are "republics" and "imperial" powers, there are trains and railroads alongside medieval technology. This gives the story a unique feel. Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: monticulowares

Expensive, worth it if you are a shining fan or a die hard saturn collector.

Absolutely amazing gameplay, to be expect from the force series. If you played 1 and 2 then this is a must play!
Too bad we never got Parts 2 and 3 cause it ends on a pretty big cliffhanger.
If you are a casual collector or don't care for the shining series then sadly this game isn't for you for the price it is currently at. If you are interested in starting the series I would recommend starting with shining force 1.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: near1

*****

This series is the godfather of every RPG that was created for any system made afterwards. As a huge fan of shining force I payed $120 for it, and never regretted it.. also bought the action replay plus to play the 2 other Japanese versions on a U.S system, and was able to go onto a website, and created a ISO that I burnt to a disk to make it all in English.. with a minor mod to the Saturn , and a lil swap trick will make it so you can play the burnt disk. You can find a video on YouTube on how to do this. The other two are just as good as the third title scenario one.. The last shining force game I played was EXE for the PlayStation.. I still play all of them to this day.Read full review...

Verified purchase: No

Shining Force III: A great game, if you can find it.

Shining Force III came out in 1998 on the Sega Saturn console system. It is part one of a three part scenario. Part two and three were never released in the U.S. due to the Saturn being replaced by the Dreamcast too soon in the development cycle. Even on its own, part one is really enjoyable. This is a
3-D, turn based, strategy, story driven, rpg, using grids.

The story has political, and fantasy elements. Two opposing countries at war, they decide to sign a peace treaty. When they meet at a neutral location an unknown force sabotages the treaty and sends the two countries back to war. Only your group knows what’s really going on and goes after the unknown force that sent the two countries back to war.

Shining force III has great music, art, story and gameplay.Read full review...

Simply the best RPG game for Sega Saturn

Simply the best Sega Saturn RPG! Shining Force III is an exclusive release for the Sega Saturn system. The US release is actually Part 1 of 3 of the story (Part 2, part 3 and the Premium Disc never made it to the US). While Part 2 and Part 3 are available on Japanese Sega Saturn.

Like many great RPG, you get to explore towns, dungeons, tombs and talk to people to gather information for the game. You can also upgrade, buy and sell weapons, equipments, portions in town to prepare for battle. During battles, it's turn-based. Don't underestimate the enemies as there will be reinforcement and ambush for the computer.

In Shining Force III, you start out with 4 characters. As you proceed with the story, you will encounter and recruit more characters.

This game will certainly gives you hours of gameplay and you will not be disappointed. If you ever decide to play the Japanese version of Part 2 and Part 3 to get the complete story of Shining Force III, you can use the saved data (in your memory card) from Part 1 to continue the game. There are also many walkthrough and FAQ available online. All in all, Shining Force III is a solid RPG.Read full review...

Great. No better way to put it.

I have only recently began my collection of Sega Saturn titles and I have gathered quite an impressive array of games, some of them have been labeled as titles that have defined the console. Shining Force 3 is one of them and I can surely tell that any fan of the original series on the Sega Mega Drive will be delighted with such an excellent sequel. Others that have not played the previous games will have the opportunity to play one of the most immersive Strategy/Roleplaying gmaes ever. The story is truly amazing and the plot is solid, the game system functional and has the battle system has kept all the great elements of the previous games but the transition to 3d further enhances the gameplay experience. The graphics are good, although the 3d character models look like legos (but hey it was 1997 back then). The only downside is that it is a three part game and only the first installment was translated. However I would highly recommend this game for any Sega Saturn or RPG enthusiast. Truly great stuff!Read full review...

The friggin best in this largely underrated series!

I have long been a fan of the original Shining Forces. They're one of the TRUE forefathers of interactive Turn-Based Strategy, and their pick up and play simplicity and cutesy anime appeal is only later revealed to be the more challenging and engrossing fantasy war sim that they are. They don't have all the complex gimmicks that most Nippon-Ichi games sport, but they also don't need them. What is offered are memorable characters who actually have a unique personality and purpose (unlike FF Tactics' cookie cutter copies), and thus a much larger probability that the player will actually FEEL for any of them should they die on the field (revivals at a local church are offered for a fee though). These heroes-to-be are often young and inexperienced, but courageous and unbreakable in their greater fight against injustice -- this is the SHINING FORCE: a band of misfit legends that hold a special place in Sega boys/girls' hearts.

I remember playing the third installment briefly on my brother's Sega Saturn, but the text was all in Japanese. At the time I was really impressed by the 3D panning and spinning during a fight scene, and the abundance of colorful sights and audio. The problem was, I couldn't understand the rest of what I saw, and could only guess at what the hell was going on. I recently purchased a Sega Saturn and English Shining Force III. I couldn't be happier.

SF III is by all accounts the most accomplished work in the series' history,
featuring a mature and genuinely fascinating political-espionage war drama that can butt heads any day with the bigger budget, cut-scene driven wash that you find now. I'm very thankful then that the western localization is so good. Only a few villager responses seem suspect, and the various tense relationships between the multiple factions involved are represented very faithfully. The story actually encompasses three games, but only the first made it stateside.

What starts out as a routine visit for the defected Republic into Imperial lands to discuss border treaties after a recent world war, turns into much more when the imperial king is seemingly kidnapped by the very leader of said republic. When it turns out that a third faction might have initiated the ruse, things start to get really complex. In this tense world state of uncertainty and hostility, alliances are only as sure as the sword on your back, and the shield at your side. For who/what exactly are you fighting for?

Series' gameplay staples like character swapping when your party is too big, and
promotion to higher, more effective ranks returns, but some great new additions like "friendship" and side objectives are very welcome. No longer does "grouping your party strategically" only mean to avoid a dark mage's multi-hit spell. Characters who consistently survive together on the field will develop a symbiosis: boosting each others stats, depending on their respective specialties. A soldier will bolster a priestess' attack, while he gains her magic defense, so long as they stand near each other in combat. But should a friend die in battle, you'll lose their trust and have to earn it again. It's a novel concept that adds even more strategy and drama to a fight.

Also new is the ability to split up the party to scout out separate maps and ruins. I like to send my hunter in to find treasure while the battle rages on outside.

If you're a fan of Shining Force, this is a MUST-PLAY; If you're not, there's no
better one to start with. - A+Read full review...

Fantastic

The game quality exceeded my expectations. My husband is an avid gamer with an outstanding collection. I bought this as an early Father's day gift, and it could not have gone more right.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: stateline.manch...

Still a great game

This game is keeps abusing me and i keep coming back for more. Compelling gameplay and an interesting narrative make this gem worth the price.

Expensive but worth the money. Way better fire emblem or final fantasy tac

it's something great like an epic from Homer or discovery of flight. The graphics are 2d in the towns but have many redraws depending on your 3d camera. (Think Mario kart 64 2d) but all environments are polygon based. Battles are full 3d and stunning for its age and will still make your crt flash vibrantly. I would recommend you spend the extra money and I can't believe I have again after 8 years.Read full review...