Having always been a massive fan of the "Shining" series, I jumped at the opportunity to play a hand held version that I could bring into my work.  It is quite a simple top down dating back to the older days when level grinding was essential. 

When you start it up, you have a selection of 8 characters to choose from.  They are not your typical fighter mage thief combination that you see all to often in the dungeons and dragons series.  Instead you have Archer, Dark Wizard, Priestess, Dragonute, Warrior, Sorceress, Brawler and Ninja.  Some of these classes are combinations of magic user and or melee specialists, most of which have their own individual weapons which have varying ranges of attack.  An interesting character to start of with is the priestess, as you can gain the heal spell very early and she also has a castlevania style flail which is a great combination to start off with and master early.

There are the usual shops to buy new and improved Armour and weapons.  Armour slots include, head,  body, hand, accessory and lastly soul, three weapons or spell books can be equipped at once in your quick slot, easily switching between these using the "L" button on the game boy advance.  Also three items can be put in your quick slot, such as healing herbs or grenades which you swap with the "R" button.

The graphics for a game boy advance game are quite surprising without having the cartoon type Japanese role play animations.   It is a solid, easy to pick up role playing game that you will most likely play over and over again trying out new characters and combinations.  It does the shining series justice, and it comes a close second in the role playing chart place to my favorite.  Shining The Holy Ark. 

Thanks for reading.

Steve