Shining Resonance Refrain
Expanded remaster of a Japan-only Shining series title.
Shining Resonance Refrain is an action role-playing video game developed by O-Two Inc. and published by Sega. It is an expanded and remastered version of the Japan-only Shining Resonance, originally developed by Media.Vision for the PlayStation 3 in 2014. The game was released worldwide in July 2018 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One platforms, marking the first English-language release for this entry in Sega's Shining series.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Shining Resonance
- Developer
- Media.Vision · O-Two (Refrain)
- Publisher
- Sega
- Producer
- Makoto Suzuki · Tsuyoshi Sawada
- Director
- Makoto Suzuki · Masaya Kobayashi · Takeshi Ozawa
- Artist
- Tony Taka
- Composer
- Junpei Fujita · Hitoshi Fujima · Evan Call
- Series
- Shining
- Genre
- Role-playing
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- PlayStation 3 · PlayStation 4 · Nintendo Switch · Windows · Xbox One
- Released
- PlayStation 3JP · December 11, 2014PlayStation 4JP · March 29, 2018 · WW · July 10, 2018Switch, WindowsWW · July 10, 2018 · JP · July 12, 2018Xbox OneNA/EU · July 10, 2018
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Shining Resonance Refrain follows Yuma Ilvern, who holds the Spirit of the Shining Dragon. The story begins with Yuma captive in Gaelritz Prison, as Sonia Blanche and Kirika Towe Alma attempt to rescue him. After a confrontation with Excella Noa Aura and her three spears, Yuma summons the Blade of the Shining Dragon, the Vanderhorn, and escapes on the back of the Shining Dragon after transforming into it. He returns to Marga, capital of Astoria, and joins the war against the Empire alongside the Dragoneers and the Princess of Astoria.
Reader's Guide
Shining Resonance Refrain received mixed reviews from critics upon its worldwide launch. Reviewers generally found the game likeable and praised its combat system, but criticized some aspects of its presentation and lack of originality. The game plays as a traditional Japanese role-playing game with action-based battles similar to the Tales series. Player interactions with other characters affect a 'relationship level,' and resting or camping can initiate special story scenes leading to dating scenes. The remaster includes a 'Refrain Mode' telling a new what-if side story, available from the start, plus two additional playable party members (Excella and Jinas) and over 150 pieces of DLC from the original PS3 game. The original PlayStation 3 version was the fifth best-selling game in its release week in Japan, selling approximately 67,000 copies.
Did You Know?
- The original Shining Resonance was released only in Japan for the PlayStation 3 in 2014.
- Shining Resonance Refrain includes a 'Refrain Mode' that tells a new what-if side story separate from the main plot.
- Two characters from the original game, Excella and Jinas, were made playable in the remaster.
- Over 150 pieces of downloadable content from the PS3 version are included in the remaster.
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