Shining Force EXA

All in all, once you get over the fact that Shining Force EXA isn't a "Shining Force" in the strictest sense, you'll be hacking and slashing your way to a darned good time. [May 2007, p.80]

Nothing stands out here to make this a must-play title in any sense of the word. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying some average-quality anime-infused hack n’ slash, though.

EXA doesn't do much to further the legacy of the series but at least it doesn't critically damage it either.

EXA doesn't differentiate itself from the herd; in fact, its blatant lifting of so much from Neo is a definite detriment. Shining Force EXA isn't extraordinary. Quite the opposite: it's extra ordinary.

Shining Force EXA will pass the time; it's just that your memory of it will, ironically, be worn dull six months from now.

Another mediocre title that has the Shining slapped on it and packaged for sale. Bearing no likeness to the past masters, the series remains blissfully ensnared in a vile web of putridness that keeps it from being anything other than mediocre.

There’s hope that the better elements can be salvaged for a future sequel then, but for the time being Sega’s Shining Force isn’t quite as shiny as it should be. [June 2007, p.118]