Shining Soul

Short description: 2002 video game

Shining Soul

North American box art

Developer(s)|

* Nextech[1]
* Grasshopper Manufacture

Publisher(s)|

* JP: Sega
* EU: Sega Europe[2]
* NA: Atlus USA[3]

Director(s)| Akira Ueda
Producer(s)| Junichiro Takahashi
Designer(s)|

* Akira Ueda
* Masashi Niwano

Programmer(s)|

* Tetsuya Nakazawa
* Tooru Yoshio

Artist(s)|

* Akira Ueda
* Rika Kurokawa

Writer(s)| Akira Ueda
Composer(s)| Shingo Yasumoto
Series| Shining
Platform(s)| Game Boy Advance
Release|

* JP: March 28, 2002[4]
* EU: March 7, 2003
* NA: September 16, 2003[3]

Genre(s)| Action role-playing
Mode(s)| Single-player, multiplayer

Script error: The function "nihongo_foot" does not exist. is an action role-playing game for the Game Boy Advance. It is part of the Shining series. Shining Soul is a reboot of the Shining series.[5] The game was followed by a sequel, Shining Soul II, in 2003. Both games were re-released in Japan in early 2006 as part of the Game Boy Advance "Value Selection".[6]

## Contents

* 1 Plot
* 2 Gameplay
* 3 Release
* 4 Reception
* 5 Notes
* 6 References
* 7 External links
* 8 Features
* 9 History
* 10 See also
* 11 References
* 12 External links

## Plot

The game takes place in the land of Rune, where a creature named Dark Dragon has gathered an army of Darkness in an attempt to bring about the destruction of the world. Your character is a hero of the Shining Fleet, which has trapped Dark Dragon and its five generals in the region of Runefaust and is now preparing to make a final assault on the enemy forces.[7]

## Gameplay

The game contains four main classes (Warrior, Archer, Dragonute, or Wizard) and several dungeons that involve hack and slash style fighting. The player can cycle between magic and weapons based attacks. As you progress through the game and gain levels, you're able to allocate points for your main stats, like strength and dexterity, as well as distribute skill points. Skill points allow you to raise weapon and magic proficiency levels and to raise the levels of other abilities that are class-specific, such as defense for the warrior, critical hits for the archer, and so on.[7]

## Release

The game saw a European release in March 2003, with Infogrames handling distribution and Sega Europe handling publication. In December 2002, THQ, who held a deal with Sega at the time to publish their games on the Game Boy Advance in the market, announced they had no intentions on releasing the title in the region.[2]

## Reception

Reception

| Aggregate scores

Aggregator| Score
GameRankings| 56.86%[8]
Metacritic| 58/100[9]
Review scores
Publication| Score
EGM| 7/10[10][lower-alpha 1]
Eurogamer| 4/10[11]
Famitsu| 32/40[12]
Game Informer| 6.5/10[13]
GameSpot| 5.6/10[7]
GameSpy| [14]
IGN| 5.5/10[15]
Nintendo Power| 4.1/5[16]
RPGamer| 7/10[17]

The game received "mixed or average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[9] In Japan, however, Famitsu gave it a score of 32 out of 40.[12]

Craig Harris of IGN lamented, "As it stands, Shining Soul just feels like a shell of a design, good ideas and intentions spattered throughout boring action sequences."[15] Tom Bramwell of Eurogamer said: "It says "RPG" in the genre box, but it's really not. Role-playing games are renowned for their engaging (or at least expansive) plot lines, diverse characters and locations, progressive combat and intricacy. Shining Soul is notable because it singularly fails to live up to anything that's come before it."[11] Star Dingo of GamePro said of the game, "Many gamers saw screens of Shining Soul in Japanese form long, long ago and wondered why such a cool-looking game wasn't coming to America right away. That question has finally been answered."[19][lower-alpha 2]

## Notes

1. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 7/10, 7.5/10, and 6.5/10.
2. ↑ GamePro gave the game 4/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, and two 3/5 scores for control and fun factor.

## References

1. ↑ "Error: no `|title=` specified when using {{Cite web}}" (in ja). Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100315124633/http://www.nex-ent.co.jp/Product.html. Retrieved May 24, 2009.Error:+no+`|title=`+specified when+using+{{[[Template:Cite+web|Cite+web]]}}&rft.atitle=&rft_id=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315124633/http://www.nex-ent.co.jp/Product.html&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikibooks.org:Software:Shining_Soul">
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 IGN staff (December 16, 2002). "Shining Soul (Preview)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305071650/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/16/shining-soul. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 IGN staff (September 16, 2003). "Shining Soul Ships". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240118050443/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/09/17/shining-soul-ships. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
4. ↑ "[シャイニング・ソウル 公式サイト"] (in ja). Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090208151415/http://shining-world.jp/soul/. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
5. ↑ Serrels, Mark (May 3, 2011). "New 'Shining' Game In The Works". Archived from the original on May 6, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110506043137/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/05/new-shining-game-in-the-works. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
6. ↑ Maragos, Nich (January 4, 2006). "Round-Up: GBA Value, In The Groove Loss, Xbox 360 AV". Informa. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190306045226/https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=7703. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Massimilla, Bethany (September 29, 2003). "Shining Soul Review". Fandom. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161019034446/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/shining-soul-review/1900-6076159/. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
8. ↑ "Shining Soul for Game Boy Advance". https://www.gamerankings.com/gba/537260-shining-soul/index.html. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Shining Soul". Fandom. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240118050457/https://www.metacritic.com/game/shining-soul/. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
10. ↑ MacDonald, Mark; Mielke, James "Milkman"; Ricciardi, John (October 2003). "Shining Soul". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (171): 168. Archived from the original on April 1, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040401003029/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1494547,00.asp. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Bramwell, Tom (April 24, 2003). "Shining Soul". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170302025508/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_shiningsoulb_gba. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "ゲームボーイアドバンス - シャイニング・ソウル" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain) 915: 122. June 30, 2006. Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161005154130/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=11807. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
13. ↑ Reiner, Andrew (September 2003). "Shining Soul". Game Informer (GameStop) (125): 125. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200309/R03.0821.1134.39644.htm. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
14. ↑ Meston, Zach (September 11, 2003). "GameSpy: Shining Soul". Archived from the original on December 16, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051216183822/http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/shining-soul/6161p1.html. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Harris, Craig (September 22, 2003). "Shining Soul". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150115095811/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/09/22/shining-soul-2. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
16. ↑ "Shining Soul". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 173: 156. November 2003.
17. ↑ Whitehead, Anna Marie (2003). "Shining Soul - Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on January 10, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040110132529/http://www.rpgamer.com/games/shin/shinsoul/reviews/shinsoulstrev1.html. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
18. ↑ Bracken, Mike (December 28, 2003). "Shining Soul". Emerald Shield Media LLC. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231203181607/https://www.rpgfan.com/review/shining-soul/. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
19. ↑ Star Dingo (October 2003). "Shining Soul". GamePro (IDG) (181): 64. Archived from the original on March 10, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050310164031/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_advance/games/reviews/31066.shtml. Retrieved December 10, 2024.

## External links

* MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

## Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

## History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

## See also

* IGDB - game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/.
2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/.
3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1.
4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521.
8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media.
9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned.
10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner.
11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames.
12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games.
13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/.
14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/.
15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/.
16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/.
17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames.
18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628.

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