Press release: 1998-05-28: Gamers Determine Destiny or Death in Shining Force 3 for Sega Saturn!

From Sega Retro

Logo-txt.svg
This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below.
Language: English
Original source: Sega.com (archived)


GAMERS DETERMINE DESTINY OR DEATH IN SHINING FORCE 3 FOR SEGA SATURN

ATLANTA - May 28, 1998, E3 Booth #5346
In a desperate attempt to avoid a senseless war between two rival nations, a group of young warriors is enlisted to restore peace in the midst of the dark ages -- a Shining Force, from which heroes will be made and legends will be born. Sega® of America, Inc. announced today the release of "Shining Force 3TM," the latest chapter in the critically acclaimed Shining series for the Sega Saturn®. "Shining Force 3" will be available in stores nationwide starting in late June.

"Shining Force 3" intertwines an engrossing storyline with beautiful, fully explorable 3D worlds and a strategic, turn-based battle sequence system for classic, immersive RPG gameplay. A truly epic adventure, "Shining Force 3" offers gamers a chance to test their brains and brawn as they struggle to save a world teeming with strife, conflict and intrigue.

The game begins in an ancient kingdom where two opposing factions, the Republic and the Empire, are on the brink of war. The only land that stands between the adversaries is the floating city of Saraband, which maintains peace with its neutrality. In recent years, a sect of maniacal monks spawned from an ancient Byzantine cult has banded together to destroy the delicate balance that Saraband has maintained between the two foes for centuries.

In an attempt to reclaim the sovereignty they lost many years ago, the evil Masked Monk cult has abducted the Emperor from the sanctuary in Saraband and set off a chain reaction of events leading to war. From there, a powerful story unfolds, full of bravery and betrayal, with gameplay choices that will result in many different plot twists and turns.

The world of "Shining Force 3" is filled with bustling cities, medieval villages and mysterious cave dwellings where gamers must search to enlist characters for combat, recover from battles and prepare for new adventures. Gamers can explore the vast terrain using a 360 degree rotating perspective that can zoom in and out for close-ups and wide shots.

Gamers assume the role of Synbios, a young warrior leader who must mend the strife between the Republic and the Empire by stopping the evil Masked Monks from their devious plans and rescue the abducted Emperor. Throughout his journey, Synbios meets many characters that both help and hinder him on his quest. To fight the monks and his rivals, Synbios must enlist the help of courageous allies he meets along the way -- warriors, magicians, soothsayers and mystical creatures -- to create an army which can defeat the evil faction. Players will find 26 unique personalities in "Shining Force 3" with the ability to engage in battle with up to 12 characters in the same brawl.

Gamers must collect weapons, magic spells and healing items to aid them in their journey. Incantations include potent spirits, which provide powers to eliminate enemies and heal allies wounded in battles. Gamers can also collect weapons ranging in strength and use their strategic skills to determine which weapon to use with which character in battle.

To ensure the strongest forces, gamers must pay close attention to the status of each member of their party. The status grid, displayed on command, includes information on each character including his current ranking, number of hit points, items collected, weapons accumulated and spells acquired. Each statistic can have a profound effect on the outcome of the fight, and gamers must learn how to use the data to their advantage. Gamers can also access enemy statistics, an invaluable tool in battle. An "Advice" feature guides users through tough battles with words of wisdom. For a full view of the battle, gamers can select the Map option to see the entire battlefield for more in-depth planning.

But players beware! Monsters, rogues and enemies will try to halt Synbios and his faithful clan's efforts at every turn. With each confrontation, the game will enter Battle Mode and gamers will have to fight in order to progress to the next level. Using a turn-based battle system, gamers must rely on both strategy and skill to defeat their enemies. During these altercations, gamers can enlist help from members in their group who have the appropriate talents and agility. After the selection has been made, it's up to the player to choose the right battle command to defeat the enemy. Gamers can also select the weapon of their choice for combat or cast a magic spell.

"Shining Force 3" will be available in stores nationwide for an SRP of $49.99.

Sega of America is the arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Sega Enterprises, Ltd. responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega videogame systems and videogames in the Americas. Sega Enterprises, Ltd. is a nearly $3 billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media, and is the only company that offers interactive entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at (http://www.sega.com).