Shining Force III

Shining Force III (1997)

by Camelot Software Planning
Genres:Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Tactical
Themes:Fantasy
Game modes:Single player
Story:Shining Force III is a fantasy turn-based tactics role-playing video game designed for the Sega Saturn by Camelot Software Planning. It is a continuation of the Shining series. Comprising three separate but overlapping storylines, the Japanese version of Shining Force III was released in three volumes, known as: "Scenario 1 - God Warrior of the Kingdom", "Scenario 2 - Target: Child of God", and "Scenario 3 - "Bulzome Rising". In America and Europe, only Scenario 1 was released. The real ending to the game can only be viewed by completing all the games in the series.Show more
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Stories about this game (19)
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Shining Force 3 is the pinnacle of tactical RPG's. From dynamic story choices, amazing gameplay, voice acting so bad that it becomes amazing (in English at least), three different storylines all wrapped up into one big finale and the single best soundtrack ever created made by the best Video Game Composer ever, Matoi Sakuraba, all of that together gives you the single best game ever made. The only thing that stopped this game from being a massive hit is timing. Terrible, terrible timing when it was coming out. 1997 is the start of Segas downfall and terrible decision making. Only the first of three parts even came out outside of Japan because of the quick launch and even quicker death of the Sega Saturn. It fully came out in Japan and if you had proof of purchase of all 3 scenarios, you could get a special premium disk with all kinds of bonus features and 9 boss fights from Shining Force 3 and other Shining Force games as well, of which I still have them all in their original, Japanese glory. This was one of the first games I ever played with my Father and it has stuck with me ever since. I will always love this game and I can never recommend this game enough. It's even got it's own dedicated fan translation that you can download so you can experience the entire game in English, with the first scenario being the Japanese translated script so you get all the story beats and name drops that were cut from the original release since we were never gonna get the other scenarios. Please preserve this game and all of its glory. Share this everywhere and go try out the fan translation. 10/10, VERY highly recommend.
This game was my white whale as a kid. We couldn’t afford a Sega Saturn at the time. The complete game never came to the US, only the first scenario (out of 3) made it out of Japan.
I’ve never actually played shining force 3. I’ve played the first 2 shining force 2 is one of my all time favorite games. That said I’ve always dreamed of playing it ever since I learned it existed but I can’t afford it or the console. Please help fulfill a dream I’ve had since I was 13 years old and let me play this masterpiece finally!! I’m 40 I’ve been waiting 25+ years for this!!
user avatar@routaprkleuser avatar@routaprkle
January 29, 2025
Ahh Shining Force 3.. Such a masterpiece and easily my top pick. This game is really a true hidden gem and it's a real shame that Scenario 2 and 3 were never translated or released in the Western markets. I've always loved Shining Force and I remember playing it when I was a kid. Didn't understand the game that much because English isn't my main lanquage. Years later I discovered and played Shining Force 2, which also is a masterpiece. And eventually about 5 years ago I discovered SF3 and I immediately fell in love with it, it is my top 10 game of all time. The game's story is pretty good in my opinion even for today's standards and the gameplay is very addicting and fun. Although the game is incomplete without Scenario 2 and 3 even if we would get Shining Force 3 Scenario 1 I would be very happy. Please do it.
SF3 is my favorite game of all time! I bought a Sega Saturn several years back just to play this game.l and was not disappointed. I got the second and third scenarios in translation and had to figure out how to make it work just to play them.
user avatar@Dedlochuser avatar@Dedloch
January 30, 2025
The Shining Force series is one of my favorite SRPG series of all time. They are my comfort games. I usually play through them once every couple of years. They have so much replayability due to the large cast of varied characters and charming world building and storytelling.
One of my favourite games of all time. I was lucky enough to play Scenario 1 on the Saturn at launch. Had to wait 20 years to finally finish it and play the fan translations of Scenarios 2 and 3. It’s a masterpiece that far too few people have played.
user avatar@tailzouser avatar@tailzo
January 30, 2025
I love all three chapters. In 2013 I visited Tokyo abd bought a briefcase full of retro games. Many of them Sega Saturn games. Everyone should be able to play Shining Force III without traveling that far!
user avatar@Daevspuruser avatar@Daevspur
January 30, 2025
Definitely my favourite game of all time. One of the best Tactical RPG ever made. The story, the characters, the gameplay, the music, the atmosphere. I bought a Saturn 20 years ago only to be able to play it and what an incredible experience! It's a shame that game doesn't have the glory it deserves. I will always be mad at Sega for what they made about the franchise after that.
user avatar@pjc791user avatar@pjc791
January 30, 2025
I can't see this happening as the later parts were never officially translated and it's not even a PC game. It's tragic that Sega only handled the first part of a trilogy and then abandoned it.
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