SEGA announces Shining Resonance Refrain for PlayStation 4

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The latest issue of the Japanese magazine Weekly Famitsu has revealed Shining Resonance Refrain for the PlayStation 4, which is a remaster of the PlayStation 3 game simply titled Shining Resonance. Shining Force Refrain is set to launch in Japan on March 29, 2018 and come out with two different versions: Standard Edition for 5,990 Yen ($52 USD) and a Premium Fan Box limited edition for 9,490 Yen ($84 USD) which will come with a fan book, drama CD and theme son CD.

This PlayStation 4 ‘remaster’ of Shining Resonance will come with all 150 pieces of DLC already in the game and feature a new ‘Refrain Mode’ which will feature a lot of in-game ‘What if…’ scenarios including characters like Excela Noa Aura and Jenius Aeon becoming party members. Something that wasn’t possible in the previous version of the game.This remaster of the game will also have a lot of improvements, the following are some that Weekly Famitsu revealed:

Shining Series artist releases his art book ‘Tony’s Artworks From Origin’ tomorrow

TonysArtOriginRegardless of what you think of Tony Takas art since taking over the Shining franchise’s art duties all the way back in 2004, he seems to have acquired a massive following in Japan. While the Shining series has had trouble selling copies of their games, it seems that Japan responded positively to Tony Taka’s character designs. So much so that there is a ton of Shining series merch being sold, more so than the actual games. Tony Taka has even released a couple of Shining related art books as well, this will be more broad artwork he has done in the past.

AmiAmi will be selling the “Tony’s ART works from Origin” book which is set to feature various character designs from his career including magazine covers and vocaloids he has designed, including a long form interview looking at his history these past 20 years. The book will come in A4 page format, will have a hardcover backing and clear slip on box. The book will set you back 5,000 yen ($46), will have 100 pages and feature 80 illustrations. The details of the book also brag that about 30 of the character designs in the book got made into figurines. Good for you Tony Taka, I guess.

Hit the jump to check out preview pages of some of the artwork that will be in the book:

[Via AmiAmi]

Shining Series character designer teasing new game announcement soon

elwing-shining-tears-series-tony-taka-bow-weapon-wallpaperWe are getting closer to Tokyo Game Show, so you should be expecting some video game announcements before the event kicks off this September. It seems that the Shining Series character designer Tony Taka (who took over the series during the 2000s) is preparing several announcements including something this week on Weekly Famtisu.

“We are in earnest preparation, but there will be various rapid announcements from here on, Both hobby-related and game-related. Anyway, the end-of-month Hobby Japan and game magazines are a must see, so please make sure to get them. Incidentally, since this year is also the 20th anniversary since the artist Tony’s debut, there will also be something in commemoration.” – Tony Taka via twitter.

He gave that tweet a follow up on July 23rd, stating that he’s ‘Tony’s Heroine Works’ corner would be featured in Monthly Hobby Japan Magazine along with a five page special interview with himself and Satoshi Sakai (from SEGA, who took over the Phantasy Star brand). As for the tease for a new game:

Shining series fans should also please take a good look. Also, it seems like there will be something else on July 27, so please be prepared to run to the book store. And so… the official announcement is in this week’s Famitsu! Tony fans, make sure to get the Famitsu on sale July 27 (Thursday).” – Tony Taka tweet

Don’t worry, since Weekly Famitsu comes out on July 27, we should be expecting a leak either later today or early tomorrow. As for what it could be, maybe another Shining game with Tony Taka art, which a lot of retro Shining Force fans dislike. If only SEGA gave the Shining Force brand a Sonic Mania type retro treatment instead of pretending there isn’t anyone interested in the old Shining Force type games. Or maybe there isn’t? What do you think?

[Via: Gematsu]

Blade of Arcus From Shining EX’s Japanese limited edition includes scantily clad anime girls

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SEGA has finally released all the high-resolution shots of the limited edition of Blade Arcus from Shining EX, which is a 2D arcade fighting game that is coming to the Playstation 4 and Playstation 3 in Japan this November.

The game’s limited edition is known as the “Tony Taka’s Premium Fan Box“, who is Tony Taka? He is the artist for the newer Shining series of games, specially famous for making anime girls, that well… aren’t exactly fully clothed (see the art in the image header for examples of such work).

Limited edition comes with:

  • A Tony Taka-illustrated special box
  • “Shining Heroine Works” 40-page art book
  • Shining Ark character 10-song CD
  •  Shining Blade 60-song soundtrack CD (two discs)
  • “Shining Beach Heroines” 2016 13-month swimsuit calendar

The game hits Japanese store shelves on Novemeber 26th, all first print copies come with Sonia from Shining Resonance as a playable character. No western release date has been announced, but if you want this edition of the game you can always pre-order it at Play-Asia for $110 USD. For more info, check out the game’s official website.

[Via: Gematsu]

SEGA bringing its Shining spin-off arcade game Blade Arcus from Shining EX to PS4 and PS3

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SEGA Japan has announced that they are porting the 2D arcade fighting spin-off Blade Arcus from Shining to the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 via Famitsu. SEGA will add ‘EX’ to the end of the game because the game will have loads of extras, including new playable characters.

In Japan the game will get two releases, a standard that will cost 6,990 yen ($56 USD) and a limited edition costing 9,990 yen ($80 USD). All first print copies come with the character Sonia from Shining Resonance. The “Blade Arcus from Shining EX Tony’s Premium Fan Box” limited edition comes with a Tony Taka-illustrated special box, “Shining Heroine Works” art book, Shining Ark character song CD, Shining Blade soundtrack CD, and “Shining Beach Heroines” swimsuit calendar.

As for it coming west, SEGA probably wants to see how Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax does later next month. As for the characters, if you are a old school Shining Force fan, don’t get too excited since all in-game characters are from Shining Hearts/Blade (some original characters for the game too). Hit the job to see who made the cut.