Here is an extended trailer for the next game in the Shining series, Shining Hearts.
While I don’t hate anything I see here and the game play actually looks like it could be a cool retro style JRPG of which I often enjoy. I can’t help but feel this series has betrayed its roots and I’m not even talking about it not being a tactical JRPG.
The art style in Shining Hearts has lost the charms of the original series. While in the past the Shining Force art style was easily recognizable with its Western inspired look and feel. The characters in this trailer could easily be from any cheap anime show or JRPG. Not to mention it seems that all of the coolest series staples like Beastmen, Centaurs, Birdmen, Werewolves and so on have been relegated to background characters or removed completely in favour of 16 year old girls with monster tits and cat ears, no thanks.
Now how about a classic style Shining Force on Valkyria Chronicles CANVAS engine? Yes please!
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Yep, I agree 100 percent with what you said about the Shining series going in the completely wrong direction. It's been turned into every other lolitified humanoid only anime style RPG. I just want a decent strategy based RPG with a solid empire vs republic story. Action RPGs like Tales of Vesperia can handle the end of the world plot stuff. I want my Shining Force back. Is that too much to ask? ;_;
I haven't played these games. Are the more recent Shining titles that much different than the older ones?
Can't say I really mind seeing new Tony Taka designs in games – be them RPGs or eroge! Although, he has a bit of "same-face" issue, and not in the same vain as, say, Peanuts.