Shining Soul II

Infobox VG
title = Shining Soul II


developer = Sega, Grasshopper Manufacture
publisher = ^JP Sega
^NA Atlus
^EU THQ
designer = Akira Ueda
engine =
series = Shining
released = ^JP July 24th 2003
^NA 2004
^EU 2004
genre = Action RPG
modes = Single Player, Multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: E
OFLC: G8+
platforms = Game Boy Advance
media = 128-megabit cartridge
requirements =
input =

"Shining Soul II" is an action role-playing game for the Game Boy Advance. It was developed by Sega and published by Sega in 2003 (Japan), Atlus (2004, America) and THQ (2004, Europe), as the sequel to "Shining Soul" and part of the "Shining" series.It features eight playable characters and several dungeons to explore. The game supports multiplayer via link cable as well as single player.

Shining Soul II is a dungeon crawling hack and slash, and plays similarly to other notable titles Diablo, and .

Gameplay

The game features eight character classes which can be improved up to level 200. Each is customisable with a variety of weapons, spells, support abilities, and attributes. Different classes who can use the same weapons attack differently with them. For example, the Warrior's spear attack is a thrust, while the Archer throws his spear over a distance. Each usable spell in the game has its own spellbook, and only classes with that spell on their skills list can use the spellbook to cast the spell.

*Warrior - A well balanced melee class. Default name: Eric (Alex in Japanese)
*Archer - Attacks from afar using bows and spears, and summons forest creatures. Default name: Rwinn (Luin in Japanese)
*Sorceress - Uses a variety of offensive elemental spells from a distance. Default name: Premiera (Pamela in Japanese)
*Dragonute - The slowest but toughest melee class. Default name: Tyroth (Tiros in Japanese)
*Priestess - Specializes in healing and support spells. Default name: Prim
*Dark Wizard - Uses Dark elemental spells. Default name: Armand (Bloodstar in Japanese)
*Brawler - The most powerful and quick offensive melee class, but suffers from low defense. Default name: Zachs (Sachs in Japanese)
*Ninja - A swift medium-ranged class using a mix of spells and physical attacks. Default name: Raizen
*??? - A Dark Wizard similar to Armand; secret character who becomes available after beating the game once. Has no default name.Note: His name was Gillespie, one of the antagonists in the game.

Each character is able to equip up to three weapons and three items for use, and switch between them at any time. You can get 3 extra slots for either by equipping the Backpack or Knapsack. Attacks are performed by tapping the attack button, or holding to charge a more powerful attack. Beyond regular equipment, a "Soul" item can also be equipped; it is charged by defeating enemies, and unleashed to inflict massive damage on nearby enemies. They come in various elemental types and levels of effectiveness. They are graded on the roman numerals I,II,III,IV and V. V being the strongest and taking the longest to charge up.

Characters also have resistances to a number of elements: Fire, Ice, Thunder, Light, Dark and Poison. These can be raised by equipment, but also through endurance: by taking damage of a particular elemental kind, they can increase their resistance to it, but being killed by an attack of that type will decrease the resistance level by a point.

tory

"The Beginning"

Light was brought back after Dark Dragon, the incarnation of darkness, was destroyed.People thanked the four heroes who drove away the darkness with all their heart.

Indulged in peaceful era, people's gratitude gradually fades away. Parents no longer tell legend of the heroes to their children.As time goes by, abundance was taken for granted. Nobody think it will ever end.Legend of the heroes, the effort they made for peace, and gratitude toward light are long forgotten.

In an ordinary day in a peaceful town, an old man tells an uncanny premonition."People, look in this crystal! Look at the cloud inside!It's like what the legend told. Darkness is going to destroy the world!If the power of light increases, there's a chance of suppressing the darkness.Otherwise the balance of this world will collapse!This is the grim future the crystal is trying to show us!"

The old man exert all his effort to make his voice heard throughout the plaza. Yet these words can no longer reach the ears of the people who forgotten the grace of light.However, it is time to put an end to this peaceful era blessed in light.Darkness has found its path.

A symbol of darkness, an alchemist, appeared.The man's name is Gillespie.Gillespie approached the old man, and lured him out of town.

Unaware of the approaching shadow of darkness, the crystal is dropped on the ground.And the kind elder is never seen again.

Being a member of a dark association, the "Chaos Knights", Gillespie has more important missions.Gillespie headed for the castle of Klantol.

Deatharte, a knight of high reputation, is also greatly trusted by King Marsel.Using his sweet talks, Gillespie has earned his trust.He gave the forbidden fruit to Deatharte, and then disappeared again.

Deatharte didn't doubt Gillespie's words.After a few days, he ate the fruit...

Multiplayer mode

Multiplayer in this game is very similar to Diablo's. You run around the dungeon and attack all the monsters in sight, you can drop items for your friend or even throw them to your friend (some of these mechanics are used in single player mode). You can only move on when everyone has passed the exit point of that floor, and if someone dies, the other players can continue, or wait if they prefer. Opening the inventory window doesn't pause the game (in singleplayer or multiplayer) so one person can reorganize their inventory without fuss. Some classes are more useful in multiplayer, such as the priestess or archer.

Notes

There are several Easter eggs found in this game. Traditional Shining mascot Yogurt is hidden in one of the stages. There are a number of dungeons from the original Shining Soul hidden in the game. It is possible to find various classic Sega artifacts as well, including past consoles, which can be used as items for communication. The American version also has a number of special character names that can be used to start characters with various bonuses, including increased stats and resistances. Finally, the Master Sword is an unlockable item in the game, and can be used in battle.

External links

*moby game|id=/shining-soul-ii
* [http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/gbadvance/data/589485.html GameFAQ's Shining Soul 2 page] - Release data, FAQ's, reviews and message board
* [http://tartarus.rpgclassics.com/ss2/ RPGClassic's Walkthrough]