Gamernode: Previews - Shining Force EXA Interview

Shining Force EXA Interview

The strategy RPG series Shining Force enjoys an illustrious history dating back to the Sega Genesis, with a fan-base to match. There have been a number of Shining games that diverged from the core, turn-based gameplay mechanics, such as Shining: The Holy Ark, but these entries have traditionally borne a different name. Shining Force Neo for the PS2 was the first Shining game with Force in the title to play differently from its turn-based predecessors. Due out this month in North America, Shining Force EXA, the next in the series, bears the same Diablo-style gameplay as Neo. Recently, I got the chance to speak to Kevin Frane, the producer for the latest addition to the Shining Force series.

Brian Schulman: One of the main complaints with Shining Force Neo was the lack of cooperative multi-play. Does the game include a two-player mode this time around? Or can you at least control characters other than the main character?

Kevin Frane: Shining Force EXA, as an RPG, is still a single-player game. There are, however, two playable main characters that the player gets to choose from and switch between. Also, the player's ability to command and direct NPC party members has been expanded and improved upon from Shining Force Neo. This is done by equipping the party members with different items thus changing their behavior structure in the game.

Speaking of expanding on the previous installment, will EXA continue the storyline from Neo and/or include some of the same characters? Or will it be a totally new experience?

Shining Force EXA is an entirely new game, featuring an original story in a brand-new setting with all-new characters. What we have strived to do with each Shining Force game is continue bringing great story-telling to gamers. EXA will continue that tradition with a great story intertwined with exciting adventure gaming.

Was fixing some of the technical issues which plagued Neo - such as AI bugs and framerate issues - a priority when you guys started working on EXA?

Since the core engine for the game was already in place, we had a great opportunity to devote more time into improving the game. We made sure that the game was able to handle an even higher number of characters on-screen at once while also being able to display them more smoothly, with improved graphics and visuals, too.

Beyond the technical aspects, one of the big questions most Shining Force fans have is why the change of genre? What prompted the move towards real-time combat, a complete reversal from the deep, enjoyable turn-based combat that the majority of the Shining Force series is known for?

When we made Shining Force Neo, we deliberately didn't call it "Shining Force IV," because, as you know, Shining Force Neo is an entirely different sort of game. So, it's not so much that we changed the genre of the old series, but rather, we've started a new, separate line of games. We wanted to give gamers the chance to explore the themes and motifs of a Shining world with a more fast-paced, action-oriented take on things.

What is there to make EXA appealing to fans of the older style of Shining Force games? Is this game an attempt to get new fans rather than please older ones?

Naturally, we hope that this game will appeal to fans of the Shining series and to new players, as well. We've improved the action-based gameplay, which will hopefully please fans of Action RPGs, and we've also put together a new Shining world for EXA that long-time fans of the series can hopefully recognize and be drawn to. There are more tactical elements in place in Shining Force EXA as well, with a more well-defined home base system that better helps to capture the essence of the player being in control of a small band of warriors united in a common cause.

Is there any chance of seeing remakes of some of the classic Shining Force games that many fans may have missed out on, such as the Sega Saturn and Sega CD iterations? What about the odds of seeing some of the older Shining Force titles on a downloadable platform such as Virtual Console or Xbox Live Arcade?

You'll have to stay tuned to news coming from SEGA on this. We've got some exciting stuff coming for Virtual Console so you never know what might happen.

With tactical games seeing a resurgence of success both in Japan and the rest of the world, is there a chance of seeing a new Shining Force with turn-based combat on a home console in the future? Or a brand new handheld iteration, rather than a remake?

We're always looking at different possibilities for the Shining series. The Shining Force franchise enjoys a great fan base and rich backstory. These aspects do help in taking the series into different areas in the future.

Any word yet on if we'll see Shining Wind stateside?

We haven't gotten any confirmation from the powers that be so far, but you never know and things can change in an instant.

Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions. Any last words you'd like to give our readers on EXA, or the future of the series in general?

We're always hoping to make newer and better games and to improve upon old ideas. We hope that with Shining Force EXA, we've learned from Shining Force Neo and improved upon certain issues. In the end we've hopefully made a game that new and old players alike will enjoy. Shining Force EXA will launch on March 20th, 2007 I hope all the Shining fans out there will support the title and keep this legendary franchise strong.

There you have it. Hopefully the time spent working with the same engine used in Shining Force Neo will result in a much more polished effort when EXA is released.

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