Shining Soul II

 Game Boy Advance
Shining Soul II Image
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

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  • Summary: As monsters begin to appear in the kingdom Klantol, King Marcel announces a grand tournament at the coliseum to find a hero that can protect the country. Now, as a mighty Brawler, Priestess, Dark Wizard, or Ninja, you must accept the king's challenge. Each character has certain strengths andAs monsters begin to appear in the kingdom Klantol, King Marcel announces a grand tournament at the coliseum to find a hero that can protect the country. Now, as a mighty Brawler, Priestess, Dark Wizard, or Ninja, you must accept the king's challenge. Each character has certain strengths and weaknesses that can mean the difference between victory and defeat in single-player, multiplayer, or cooperative multiplayer modes. In addition to valuable weapons and armor, you can equip your party with Force Links, which, when combined, create a Shining Force--a powerful weapon capable of decimating the enemy forces.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. netjak
    90
    In a generation of games where developers put more time into cutscenes, talking, and character development than into pure gameplay, this hack/slash RPG is a huge relief. There's a time and place for games that are more like movies, but Shining Soul 2 is a reminder as to what this hobby of videogames is all about.
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  2. Nintendo Power
    84
    Slow-to-roll-out dialogue bogs down the game at the beginning, but the pace quickens when the fighting begins. [Mar 2004, p.120]
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  3. Pocket Games
    80
    With eight character classes the possibilities for multiplayer and replay are endless. [Summer 2004, p.41]
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  4. Game Informer
    75
    It feels a little bit like "Zelda" and has the depth of "Diablo." Not bad. Not bad at all. [Feb 2004, p.114]
  5. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    72
    Get some friends together, though, and you've got one seriously fun multiplayer RPG. [Jan 2004, p.164]
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  6. GMR Magazine
    70
    Vastly improved graphics and animations make this practically a new game. [Jan 2003, p.93]
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  7. AceGamez
    50
    Shining Soul II suffers from a very flawed combat system, leaving it open to RPG veterans only.
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See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. DOPENESS
    Apr 6, 2004
    10
    AWESOME!
  2. duzie
    Aug 22, 2020
    10
    Best portable rouge like game ever! Sadly developer team has dismissed and we never get the sequel
  4. DragonBoy
    Jan 24, 2005
    9
    Very good but i havent had a chance to try the multiplayer unfortunately.... thats one thing i miss!
  5. JimminyCricket
    Jul 6, 2007
    8
    Lots of fun, very addictive, but too simplistic gaameplay.
  6. ZXSth
    Mar 7, 2023
    7
    Shining Soul II feels like it has all the makings of a cult classic - it has a solid understanding of what makes a good video game, and takesShining Soul II feels like it has all the makings of a cult classic - it has a solid understanding of what makes a good video game, and takes some interesting risks, but also has some serious shortcomings.

    This game is a very, very solid Diablo-like action RPG that does quite well when considering that it is a GBA game. However, its gameplay loop gets repetitive fast, feels very dependent on grinding, and doesn't convey some important details about the game very well. As such, the finished product gave me moments of delight that ended in moderate satisfaction, but a little disappointment or frustration was mixed into some moments.

    Overall, Shining Soul II is solid, deeper than expected, and does enough right to merit giving it a shot. However, I would refrain from calling it more than a niche experience.    … Expand
  7. Yojimbo2015
    May 6, 2023
    6
    Better graphics, more characters and a deeper storyline, but ultimately it's still a bit too reliant on level-grinding.

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2004
38
#38 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2004
41
#41 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2004