Shining Force

Sega is a weird company—almost the antithesis of Nintendo. Both corporations were once gaming giants who've seen their stock fall in recent years, both created some of the greatest videogame IPs of all time, and both are still players in the industry. Yet, while Nintendo still makes consoles that cater to their hardcore legions of fans (and games that those fans vociferously want), Sega opted out of the console hardware business after the Dreamcast and seems almost single-handedly determined to take its classic franchises and pervert them in ways that do little more than alienate their core audience. Shining Force EXA continues that trend.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language

Game Description: Shining Force EXA challenges you to unite a planet. A bitter war between two world superpowers has raged on for decades; armies of beasts and demons devastate the people and the land. With both sides deadlocked, two young heroes rise up to begin a heroic journey to stop the fighting and unite the divided world. As either Toma, a talented sword fighter boy, or Cyrille, a cunning female sorceress, you'll venture into a stunning world of swords and sorcery teeming with a huge variety of tribes. With aggressive offensive and defensive strategies, you'll lead your battle party into combat while protecting your home base, the Geo Fortress, from massive attacks. Enhanced Power Arts System - Players will master different Power Arts and unleash a wide variety of magic attacks.

To be fair, once the initial disappointment dissipates, Shining Force Neo is a damn good game—it's just hard for an old guy like me to get past the whole Shining Force not being a strategy RPG thing. Why call it Shining Force? Why must Sega continually toy with my emotions? What's next? A Nights RPG? A Phantasy Star card battle game…oh, wait, they actually did that. My bad.

Game Description: Shining Force Neo is a fast-paced action-RPG featuring a dramatic, character-driven story and a high gloss anime aesthetic. You become Max, a young traveller on his way to becoming a warrior or sorceror. Master martial arts, face the deadliest fighters around and prove yourself, in a wild, action-packed storyline.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes