We want Shining Force IV | RPG Fortress 

we want jogurt the yogurt

With Sega recently reviving (or announcing that they plan to revive) so many series recently, it might not be THAT far fetched! Crazier things have happened

And Phantasy Star V!!!!

I reaaaally like the 360 camera from SF3 not because it was really that flexible but because there were quite a few secret items and paths you could miss if you stayed in one direction. And splitting the game into multiple parts can work, I always considered SF3 to be a progenitor of Mass Effect. Who you killed or helped was important in the next game. I loved seeing the scenarios from different viewpoints, it felt like reading A Song of Ice and Fire. I also would like special teamup attacks, buffs or spells when you max friendship between certain party members.

I loved the intro skit

It was great getting to work with you on this one! It may never happen, but we can always hope for a great Shining Force IV!

Now that Bulzome has been dispatched, it's time to remaster the Shining Force 3 and add a bonus epilogue where you finish off Galm. Make the epilogue play like Shining Force Alternate with a fixed party in which everyone joins the force. Then you create a more open Shining Force 4 in the tradition of the 2nd game.

Camelot better hurry up before all the old developers are dead.

I would love to see a Shining Force IV. Would also like to see Shining Force 3 complete. I was very upset when I finished it back in 98 and found out shortly after that part 2 and 3 would not be translated.

I think the commentary here mostly nails the core pillars of Shining Force: charm (both in aesthetics and writing), whimsical fantasy (in the setting and character design), and a core loop where battles are interspersed between exploration sections. The one thing I was surprised to hear mentioned over and over, though, was "quick" battles. Is "quick battles" really something Shining Force is known for? Every time I think of Shining Force battles, I think of outdoor forest/hill/mountain slogs like SF1's map #2 or the borderline-painful approach to Manarina. Even apart from map design issues, playing drawn-out cut scenes with text narration for every single attack or spell is pretty much the opposite of what I'd call "quick." IMO, battle design and mechanics are the one area they could really, really stand to improve in future entries (if the SF series ever got them, which it sadly won't).

Here's one: make Mithril forging non-random. In the games where it is random, everyone just resets until they get the one they wanted anyway.

I don't have a lot to add to the suggestions already offered, but I feel like we needed a lot more character interaction. I've only played the first two games, but the limited character interactions always made me a little sad. They get dialogue when they join and during the chapter they're recruited, but it feels like such a missed opportunity that they go completely silent for the rest of the game most of the time. Like, come on Gong, you don't have any input on this crazy situation?

Sprites. I want sprites. Make it an old school engine that will allow these games to come out more often, like every two to three years. Reject Unreal, use monke engine. Also, I'm old and have been married for a billion years. I don't need a dating sim. I played enough Leisure Suit Larry back in the day. I don't need it in my tactical combat.

Honestly, the gatcha thing they teased us with, having a full roster of returning characters, all viable, not just former heroes, but baddies like Cain or Cameela being options for recruitment... that's what I wanted, and I didn't know it, despite playing through the custom games, fan games and rom hacks that were EXACTLY that. It can have a story like "Ancient Evil blah blah" I honestly don't mind that, but I would put in more post-game stuff, like the All Boss Extravaganza of SF2 or a Training Mode or Tournament with "fake" monsters that aren't part of the mainline story. Oh, a Purple Goblin just OHKO my level 80 Bleu?! So cool! Giving additional challenge AFTER you beat the game though random fights, or a GamePlus mode allowing you to replay from the start, but with ramped up difficulty levels, better equipment and consumables would make for a TON of replay value. I appreciate the dedicated character classes (nobody should be able to do everything) but I find that in all the Shining games, magic users fall off being useful, either due to leveling (SF1 Healers) or damage (SF2 magic users need outrageous levels, basically get 2 or 3 shots off, and the melee fighters easily trump them in damage output and defense) so having a stat that changed how much magical power a character had (more/better healing, better damage scaling on offensive magic, better buffs/debuffs, and even better resistance to magical attacks) would be an additional stat that I would appreciate. Also, having the Hero character being fully customizable (either a Tank like Max, a Offensive Bruiser like Bowie, or a Glass Cannon like Natasha) would also make for a lot of strategy for how to approach different challenges. Lastly, I would have each character have their own unique equipment. The Hero usually gets a specific Best Weapon Ever, but here and there are other characters with unique stuff. Slade having the Guisarme (which is just the Doom Blade from SF1) was great because you couldn't have 5 characters running around with instant win weapons. Even the Unique Valkyrie of SF1 was a great idea because only 1 of the Knights could have it, unlike the Atlas (or Doom Blade) that everyone could have a copy of. I'm not saying to limit it, per se, but if Zylo got a Wolf Fang with enhanced critical hit rate and Gerhalt had a Beast Beater that did bonus damage to targets with more total HP and Gong having a Master's Mitt that would hurt you, but boost your damage would make similar characters more distinct from one another, adding strategy with whom to use for given battles and who to bench, as opposed to just taking characters who could move through dense woods or deserts. Yeah, sorry for the novel, but I've made my own Dream Shining Force game, and it would be a lot of fun, and potentially endlessly replayable lol

Most important stuff for me; An art style that lives up to the original games. SF1 especially had a great variety of designs for playable and non-playable characters. I wouldn't mind if it looked like the cancelled mobile game. It doesn't have to be exactly the same, but I would be really disappointed if they made a SF4 that just looks like any other JRPG. Slightly deeper gameplay. Give every character spells or something. Let every character have the option of doing something impactful outside of normal attacks. You could call them "skills" if you don't want every character using magic in the plot. Story that gives each character importance, but isn't as complex as SF3. As long as they have a good mix of serious and silly, I wouldn't mind if they got weird with it, something that isn't the usual JRPG plot. Some extra challenges for skilled players. Give me high extra difficulty options. Randomized Force/battles would also be great.

I dunno why Sega wouldn't do this. It would be huge! SURELY it'd make more money than some unknown property.

Love that intro. I'd buy min. 10 copies of Shining Force 4 if it is of qualities of old! DO A SF4!!!

My 9 year old says Shining Force 2 is perfect and all we need is more than that. I can't even argue. It's just fact. Also, I love Chibi-Tao. She looks like the soft spot in her skull never closed. Outstanding.

We want Chilly Willy! We want Chilly Willy!!!

I remember seeing that news bit in 2019 or so. There was also talk of a gatcha game, thankfully that didn't come to fruition.

I've never played a Shining Force game, but I loved Advance Wars when I was a kid, so I'd probably enjoy it!

Thank you Richard for featuring me on this video! I am deeply honored. If you want to see me actually playing some retro games, slide on over to my Twitch and follow!! www.twitch.tv/atsumorikofuhara

Love it. The folks over at RPGamer also would love more Shining Force games. Excellent video!

I think we can all blame Mario and friends for forcing Camelot to only ever fund their sports vacations

This just randomly popped up on my recommended so I guess this is telling me something lol. Thanks to the Sega classics collection on PS4, I've gone round to playing shining Force one and I've been having a good time with that and I've been playing through the gba version of the first game on and off. And also because there wasn't that many other strategy rpg games that came out at around that time so I needed to play something...... Until unicorn overlord came out but that's a different story. In any case, I would love for there to be a fourth entry, especially since more people are enjoying SRPGs and Unicorn Overlord is proving that you CAN have more then just Fire Emblem. Plus since Sega is currently on a weird Renaissance where they're bringing back most of their old franchises I would love for there to be a fourth shining Force game that's actually a shining Force game and not just a shining game in name where the only thing I'm gonna remember about it is look at all these hot attractive anime women and mostly guys that either look way too pretty or way too boring as hell...... Yes the later shining games is where I found out about the series lol. Still fingers crossed!

It's a small thing, but Motoaki Takenouchi actually did the music for Landstalker, not Masahiko Yoshimura.

You've covered most everything I have to add, but I think the music and art design for SF2 didn't have the same sort of "brightness" and whimsy SF1 had. If SF4 ever did happen I'd like it to be much closer to 1 than 2 (or even CD and 3 despite how much I love those).

Honestly I don't want to see Camelot behind it. The last Golden Sun game was disappointing. I'd like maybe Hiroyuki input regarding the story to properly show us what happens next, and tie together time lines. I'd love time travel being needed to defeat Dark Sol/Mishaela, Zeon and Elise in simultaneous battles then ultimately Galm to give that 3 party feeling from the end of Shining Force 3 and really wrap up the story with cohesive lore. Basically in such a way that it could leave us satisfied without a sequel but leave the opportunity for more... Maybe explaining Endias and confirming that it's really the book world where it all happens. I'd also like them to do away with the silent protagonists, maybe I'll do a little writeup of my wants too inspired by this video.

I would literally sell my soul for Shining Force IV or Shining Force 1 and 2 remastered or something...

As far as I can tell, Masahiko Yoshimura has not composed a single thing other than Shining in the Darkness and Shining Force 1. I highly doubt he will ever go back to composing.

Lets go all out a full triple AAA title, sticking to turnbased tactics don't need to modify the system to much maybe just give a couple of extra promotion options maybe in a 3 tier - full modern 3d graphics like final fantasy level --- all of this on a new sega console

Pretty sure people would just like a full version of three to be accessible outside purely the emulation route

I really enjoyed Fire Emblem 3 Houses. So if Sega wants to steal elements from that (which is odd to say because 3 Houses feels more like Persona, which is now a Sega property since the Atlus acquisition), I'm all for it. It'll really help flesh out characters. Which, as you said, didn't really happen in past games. most would join and that would be it for them in terms of story significance. Which is a shame but I can understand considering the limitations of cartridges (I haven't played Shining Force 3 and that's entirely Sega's fault)

They need to release it before we get Persona 27 haha

YEEEAAAAGH BRING IT

I'd love something other than a young male protagonist. The combat and the music are kind of the essential things to keep for me, although I wouldn't be unhappy if the combat was a bit more XCOM 2. The art style, well, I have to admit, I don't have any fondness for the SF1/2 art style. I'd welcome a radical redesign and moving away from bright colours and animal characters. I'm not saying it's bad, it's just a style that really doesn't speak to me. I'd also echo the sentiment of one of the contributors that the optional stuff is a great part of the franchise, let's keep those hidden extras. Thanks for another lovely video, Richard!

"NO MORE! NONE OF THAT!" I mean... it would be cool to have Saori Hayami voicing an elf in a more classic style Shining Force game. that would be fine.

I really love 2d, but 3d could be really great. Allowing for more dynamic strategy. Fire Emblem had always had the friendship mechanic since I think the first game. There was no levels and sometimes it's a one way thing, but still. And what you describe for what you want sounds like what they did in Radiant Dawn... But Hopefully it's either Path of Radiance or have special scenes like in the games Kaga after his departure from IS. Tear Ring saga had really cool and heartwarming interactions with some of the army! A lot of good and cool ideas! Don't really vibe with some... might steal some of them for myself~ ^v^

RYOKO KUI MENTIONED!!!! THE GOAT she drew fanart of the best rpgs i have ever played (BG 1 and Planescape: Torment)

A video of first importance ;), what about SF4? Well already : TRPG is the basis. HD 2D, we agree. Orchestral music with old composers if possible, naturally. A new team, obviously. For the rest, there are quite a few points to discuss, but firstly, I'm surprised that no one has talked about the GBA remake (Resurrection of the Dark Dragon), which still brought a lot of cool stuff. Which brings me to talk about the development of secondary characters, a system which would mix SF & RotDD, would be quite nice from my point of view: a friendship system with boosted stats like in SF3, with discussions which would take place at HQ , it allows you to add a lot of lore and allows those who don't like blabla to be able to ignore it. The character design, I like the concept art / portrait of SF3 and the sprites of SF2 (the 1... meh), but I must admit that the idea of ​​having Ryōko Kui tempts me. For the combat system, it must remain simple (Valkyrie Profile is a big no), as close as possible to that of the first episodes. Just add conditional win bonuses like in RotDD. Promotions, here, I want it both ways, several levels of promotion (SF3) AND optional promotions (SF2). Finally for the chapter system and pseudo open world, the same, why not a mix of the two? A chapter depending on where the story is, but which would not prevent you from returning to visit old areas of the game. And for the fast travel system, there is already one: the Ancient Tunnel (SF2). One last point about the story, many people will tell me that SF2 is stupid and full of clichés, it remains the kind of joyful story that I like and that I would like to see again in Shining Force. Finally to return to RotDD, I would like to see the come back of a card system representing the different characters that we would acquire during multiple new games +, it would allow us to add character cards from old games without making them appear directly. One last thing, fan service... There have always been some in Shining Force, Mae (all the centaurs from SF1) who walks around without a skirt before promotion, the disguises from this same game (swimsuit, SM dress, Maid outfit), the Master Monks in SF2, etc... So, personally, yes, I campaign for girls with exotic outfits and/or very advantageous proportions :p. Yoh, who signs a beautiful paving here. Ps: The idea of ​​a versus/pvp mode is nice, but not a priority, if it makes the development and balancing of the game more complex, I think it is better to leave that for an update .

Wasn't the 2017 article about Shining Force 4 just a hype campaign to get more money to license the IP to Vespa (Korean mobile game developer) who are making Shining Force: Heroes of Light and Darkness which may or may not be vaporware at this point due to financial struggles?

I'm for a Shining Force IV. Just make sure it stays true to its origins & not try to imitate Fire Emblem.

I prefer the ones like Resonance

I'd just be happy if they remastered all 3 parts of SF3 and put them on Switch. If they did a SF4, I'd want it to NOT be an ARPG and instead be a topdown strategy game. It would sell well too, since Ogre Battle, Triangle Strategy, and Unicorn Overlord are all doing gangbusters.

Come on Sega. Look how Sonic Mania performed.

I would prefer remasters of Shining Force III, Valyria Chronicles III, and Skies of Arcadia first.

Im going to point out something that has not been pointed out SF3 is not finished we have been chasing Galm from Shining in the Holy Ark. at the end of SF3 development sega rushed it and the end of the game feels rushed, i even bet bulzome was not susposed to be the end of the scenario 3, but due to ... lets say disagreements on budgeting etc sega pushed for it to be finished ASAP. Unfortunately it feels like the ending has NO closure as far as i see it Galm got everything he wanted he won, not the shining force... thus this could Easily be Shining force 4 plot. After watching a premium disc long play Unoma said "This is a temple where you fight enemies past and present" id love to see all shining force titles tied together 3 Greater Demons, Vandals and Innovators, and the keeper of the library Master Gabriel, Mitula Shining force openings begin with a Book. Maybe this is what Galm was after in the end (Besides removing all over Vandals and Innovators that he cant controll). Espically if he almost 4th wall broke and tried Rewriting history of the shining world from the point of a Greater Demon/Vandal. As for Gameplay i think SF3 isometic is the way to go with better camera, hell if you built a reskin on Shining force 3 you could release that to see how 4 would go. Eiyuden chronicle is a great example of the old is new again.. now is the time, it saved 505 from having a bad year.. but getting off topic. Renew the series, make a whole new generation fall in love with the force! TL:DR Galm bad, SF3 not finished, make 4, bring balance to the "force"😁.

I just want SF 2 but 10 times bigger.

I just want more of the same, and lots of it!

what it needs is somebody else to do a game that is "I can't believe its not shining force", it do well, then Sega will make a clone of it with their IP slapped on it.

Honestly I seriously do NOT want a Shining Force 4. There's this strange obsession with many game devs, who are mostly totally unrelated to the original devs, to bring in "interesting" innovations while riding on the names of popular titles from the past. I can already imagine Shining Force 4 totally missing the mark and being design by people who do not really care for original games and only doing something that they think is interesting and "innovative" to bring in a fresh air to the TRPG genre, and the only way they can do that is literally raping the original because it is recognizable and would draw the eyes of the fans so they can see how their vision is "much better" then the originals. I can count on both hands only a small number of games who successfully transitioned from one studio to another while keeping the spirit of the original.

sega has a strategy rpg called valkyria chronicles which is great and even that they tried to make into an action battle system. I hate sega some times.

I wholeheartedly disagree with your first point. I want a battle camera like that found in Fire Emblem Three Houses, which allowed you to zoom in to ground level for the entire battle (which I did, for the entire game). It showed your location in a minimap so you didn't lose the ability to see everyone's location. Of course, if it were truly like Three Houses, then it would allow you to switch back and forth at will.

I have one thing to say : keep that godawful dating stuff out my Shining Force games. There are dating sims / novels out there.

How much money would it take to buy the rights from sega? Couple mil or what? For a dead franchise it couldn't be too much. Also yes, the art style is essential for a good sequel. The later games leaned way too heavily into the anime cute side of things. I want that goofy, cartoonish medieval feeling with just a touch of anime.

1. Keep the story lightheaded and goofy. 2. HD2D like Octopath Traveler, perhaps? 3. More character uniqueness ala SF2. 4. Limited branching promotions: I love choices, but if you could make every X a Y instead of a Z, then there's less weighing pros and cons. 5. More character interactions. Nothing major or deep, but I'd like to know Mae exists outside of being a force on the field, for example. 6. Keep units, abilities, and roles intuitive. Fliers fly, archers shoot, defenders tank, etc. I don't want FE style skill bloat.

I love Rui but no, she would not be good for this.

I only discovered the games as an adult, but I'd love to see a series revival. Ideally with pixel art rather than cheap 3D shit. If we get more dialogue without going FE though... probably will be more alike Vandal Hearts, lol. IDK if the blood fountain effect would fit though. Dungeon Meshi's artist for the designs sounds phenomenal tbh, though Merryweather or Colourbee could probably do something unique with the series as well. We'll have to wait and see though, SEGA's not exactly eager.

I completely disagree on the 3D point. Shining Force III maps are so much better than 2D Shining Force maps and the perspective of the way things look on III's map only works in 3D. Also you lose the sick terrain usage SFIII had going back to 2D.

Why don't they remake these in those HD2D kind of style? I think that would be cool.

I cannot emphasize how much I HATE the constantly repeated idea of "just make it 2D". That is one of the only things they could do to make me ignore a new Shining Force game. My immediate reaction would be "CHEAP!" and I'd roll my eyes and move on.

Why do you want Atlus? I'm lookin' at their games right now. They've only been makin' Persona games mainly, occasionally shifting to something else. Is it a concern that they've never made a SRPG? And they ain't gonna shift to make the game easy like the other SF games. Also, their art style is full anime, no Western influences to be found.

Yeah... to the first guy..."No to a lot of that." First things first, no to any dating sim nonsense. If I want that garbage, I'll go play Fire Emblem. In its place, I would like for the player to be able to build an army much like Suikoden I-II. Basically, you assign members of the Force to their own divisions. Every so often, you will have to take on huge enemy armies. You can even set it up so that if the player loses a battle, the story becomes more dire. The game needs to be highly detailed, multi-sided 2D sprites with the most fluid animations ever witnessed in an RPG before. If you want an example, think Marvel vs. Capcom 2 and Metal Slug being a quarter of the way there. The reason for this is twofold. We want the game to both age like a fine wine, and it should follow in the footsteps of its predecessors. Finally, Shining Force may have been created by the Shining in The Darkness development team... but they are not the same game. Shining Force was created for an older audience. Making it look like a Disney disaster would be the wrong move. It should absolutely include attractive ladies with all manner of bust sizes. Hey, many attractive girls love gaming as much as we do.

it's simple really. bring back as many of the old developers as possible, have the game be sprite-based 2D as parts 1&2, and make the art style like shredder's revenge. done. oh, and listen to that bofner guy, he knows what he's talking about. and for the love of everything that is holy, please leave out dating stuff crap. thank you.

95% of the cast at minimum are Non-Humans. That's a requirement. No Hybrids don't count. That is what Cowards use when they want the Non-Human card without straying from Humans. No you can't just spam the ones that look the closest to Humans, that's the cowards way out. You can have them, they can't be the only choices. Crib the original artstyle. Keep Tony Taka the fuck away from it.