The Story of Thor

 

Finally some rpg love for mega drive!

An action rpg with many usual mechanics, with a setup similar to the Zelda games: find the dungeon, explore it while resolving puzzles and fighting monsters on real time action.

On every dungeon the player will find a spirit representing an element which will be used to progress through the game and also learn new abilities and attacks.

The story isn't anyting special as usual on these games, but the arabic atmosphere is nice and gives it an unique look. Sprites look pretty, colorful and detailed. Music is good.

Overall is a fun game, not epic and a bit short and easy, as I was very young and managed to finish it on a nice pace, but still entertaining.

Did I like it? Yes.
I think you will like it if you:
- Want more action rpgs
- Don't mind playing old games

I rate my experience with a 6.5 out of 10.

Soleil

A very unique action rpg.

While it looks very much like any other 16 bit rpg because it has many enviroments with the usual sprites, real time combat with Enix style, towns, many places to explore, etc.

What made a unique experience to me were the animal skills, when I found an animal I got a new skill that allowed me to progress on the game but also to find new areas and secrets on the places I already visited. For example the Cheetah allowed me to run faster and jump to places that were unreachable before.

The story starts very typical with the child & his house but I found that the development is fresh, entertaining and made me to always want to progress, the game is not very long though and there isn't much replay value. Music and graphics aren't superb but still very nice and unusual on the Megadrive.

Did I like it? Yes!
I think you will like it if you:
- Like 16 bit action rpgs

I rate my experience with a 8 out of 10.

Shining Force saga

Shining Force

Shining Force is (was) Sega's tactical rpg, it has little similarities to Fire Emblem like every unit being represented individually on the battle field, the combat screens showing the 2 involved characters and being able to promote the units.

But for the rest is a pretty different game, it doesn't rely on the rock-paper-scissors system and magic tends to be more powerful. Also turns are spread between the player and enemy units depending on their speed stat that gives this game a different combat style.

Battles are usually challenging and fun, outside battles there are little exploration areas with a Dragon Quest style which is cool, equipment customization is similar too.

I barely remember the story it was good but I did not like the characters too much, graphics are okay with that Camelot Software Planning touch.

Did I like it? It was okay.
I think you will like it if you:
- Like (old) tactical rpgs

I rate my experience with a 6 out of 10.

Shining Force CD

This is a compilation/remake of game gear's Shining force games, it includes a new campaign and new features. The concept is simplified a la Fire Emblem (dialog->foce setup->battle) but combat is entertaining as always and I had plenty of fun with this game.
Did I like it? Yes.
I think you will like it if you:
- Like (old) tactical rpgs

I rate my experience with a 7 out of 10.

Shining Force 2

A true improvement, I think this is where the saga takes off. Combat is even more entertaining, more unit types, weapons, abilities, powerful magics.

This time the story is very interesting and I liked the characters way more than before. It keeps the exploration features from the original.

Did I like it? Yes, awesome.
I think you will like it if you:
- Like tactical rpgs

I rate my experience with a 8.5 out of 10.

Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon

It's a gba remake of the first Shining Force which I enjoyed more than the original, it includes a few new features and new graphics.

Did I like it? Yes, awesome.
I think you will like it if you:
- Like tactical rpgs

I rate my experience with a 6.5 out of 10.

Shining Force 3

The definitive sequel, overall the game keeps the entire Shining Force spirit and increases the epic feeling, battles are bigger and fun, more powerful magics, tons of different units plus there are lots of hidden/optional characters to recruit.

I loved the characters and enjoyed the story a lot, though it is divided in 3 games that explain the events from 3 different points of view which can get a bit repetitive.

Did I like it? Yes, epic.
I think you will like it if you:
- Like tactical rpgs

I rate my experience with a 9.5 out of 10.