Description

"Shining Wisdom" is an action-adventure game released for the Sega Saturn, which represents a distinctive turn in the Shining series from its traditional tactical RPG roots to a more Zelda-like exploration and puzzle-solving gameplay. Developed by Sonic! Software Planning and published by Sega, the game was first released in Japan in 1995 and made its way to North America and Europe shortly after. In "Shining Wisdom," players take on the role of Mars, a young warrior who embarks on a quest to thwart the evil plans of the dark wizard Pazort, who is threatening the peace of the kingdom of Odegan. The gameplay blends action-oriented combat with intricate puzzles and maze-like dungeon crawling, distinguishing itself with its real-time combat and inventory management system.

The transition from tactical RPG to action-adventure in "Shining Wisdom" was a significant shift that received mixed reactions from fans of the series. While some appreciated the fresh approach and the engaging puzzles, others missed the strategic depth of the previous entries in the Shining series. Graphically, the game showcased a shift from the commonly used sprites to a more detailed, although somewhat clunky, top-down perspective that utilized the Sega Saturn’s capabilities. Adding to the game's depth, the soundtrack, composed by Motoi Sakuraba, captured the game’s medieval fantasy theme effectively. Despite its polarizing shift in gameplay style, "Shining Wisdom" remains a unique entry in the Sega Saturn's library, noted for its attempt to blend action-oriented mechanics with the rich storytelling characteristic of the Shining franchise.

Gameplay

Shining Wisdom - Gameplay

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