Shining Resonance Refrain

Shining Resonance Refrain[lower-alpha 1] is a Japanese role-playing game developed by O-Two Inc. and published by Sega. Originally developed by Media.Vision, it is an entry in Sega's Shining series of video games, and an expanded and remastered version of the Japan-only Shining Resonance released for the PlayStation 3 in 2014. While the original PS3 release was not translated into English, Refrain was released in July 2018 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One platforms.

Shining Resonance Refrain
Developer(s)Media.Vision
O-Two (Refrain)[1]
Publisher(s)Sega
Artist(s)Tony Taka
SeriesShining
Platform(s)
ReleasePlayStation 3
  • JP: December 11, 2014
PlayStation 4
  • JP: March 29, 2018
  • WW: July 10, 2018
Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
  • WW: July 10, 2018
  • JP: July 12, 2018
Xbox One
  • WW: July 10, 2018
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

The game plays as a traditional Japanese role-playing game with action-based battles, similar to the Tales series of video games.[2][3] Interactions by the player made between the main character and other playable characters affect player's "relationship level"; talking while resting or camping initiates special story scenes, which in turn can lead to dating scenes the following day.[4]

Plot

The game follows Yuma Ilvern, who holds the Spirit of the Shining Dragon, an ancient Dragon who died in an ancient war. At the start of the game, Yuma is held captive in Gaelritz Prison with an attempted rescue mission by Sonia Blanche and Kirika Towe Alma on the way. After a confrontation with Excella Noa Aura and her three spears, Yuma summons the Blade of the Shining Dragon, the Vanderhorn. They then manage to escape on the back of the Shining Dragon after Yuma transformed into him and return to Marga, the capital of Astoria. When he wakes up back as Yuma, he joins Astoria in their war against the Empire alongside the Dragoneers and the Princess of Astoria in an attempt to achieve peace for their people.[5][6]

Development and release

The game was announced in May 2014 as Shining Resonance, as the newest title in Sega's Shining series.[7] The game was developed by Media.Vision, and featured illustrations by longtime series character artist Tony Taka.[7] The game received a Japan-only release later in the year on the PlayStation 3. In November 2017, a remaster, Shining Resonance Refrain, was announced for PlayStation 4.[8] The remaster was at 90% complete at the time of the announcement, and while an English language release was not announced, Sega did note that they were considering a worldwide audience for the series, a departure from most of the recent entries in the series, which had stayed in Japan.[9] In February 2018, Sega announced that the game would receive an English language release of the PS4 version, and that an additional release would be made for the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch platforms.[10] The game was released in July 2018.[11]

The remastered version on PlayStation 4 and Switch contain multiple new additions to the core of the original PS3 game. The game contains a "Refrain Mode" which tells a new "what-if" side story separate from the main story.[12] It does not need to be unlocked - it is available prior to even starting the main game, though the developers state that while the side story doesn't affect the main story, it makes more sense if the main game is played first.[12] Two additional party members, Excela and Jinas, are added as well; they were present in the prior game, but not playable.[13] Over 150 pieces of downloadable content (DLC) from the PS3 game are included in the remaster as well.[13]

Reception

Shining Resonance Refrain received mixed reception, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[16][14][17][15] The PlayStation 3 version of the game was the fifth best-selling game in its release week in Japan, selling approximately 67,000 copies.[18]

Notes
  1. Shining Resonance Refrain (シャイニング・レゾナンス リフレイン, Shainingu Rezonansu Rifurein) in Japanese

References
  1. "Work (About Consumer Game Department)". O-TWO inc. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  2. "Shining Resonance Refrain Headed Westward For PS4, Xbox One, Switch, And PC In Summer 2018 - Siliconera". Siliconera. 2018-02-21. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  3. "SwitchArcade Roundup: 'Layers of Fear: Legacy', 'Shining Resonance Refrain', 'Slain: Back From Hell' and More | TouchArcade". toucharcade.com. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  4. "Go On Dates When You're Not A Dragon In Shining Resonance - Siliconera". Siliconera. 2014-10-07. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  5. "Shining Resonance Shares A First Look At Its Dragon Protagonist And Story - Siliconera". Siliconera. 2014-05-14. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  6. "Shining Resonance Shows Its Dragon Protagonist's Human Form - Siliconera". Siliconera. 2014-06-19. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  7. "The Shining Series Comes To PS3 With Shining Resonance - Siliconera". Siliconera. 2014-05-13. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  8. "Shining Resonance Refrain Announced For PlayStation 4 With New Elements And "What If" Story - Siliconera". Siliconera. 2017-11-14. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  9. "Sega Is Finally Thinking About A Worldwide Audience To Expand The Shining Series - Siliconera". Siliconera. 2017-11-14. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  10. "Update: Sega's Shining Resonance: Refrain Coming To The West On PlayStation 4, Switch, Xbox One, and PC". Game Informer. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  11. "Shining Resonance Refrain Headed Westward For PS4, Xbox One, Switch, And PC In Summer 2018 - Siliconera". Siliconera. 2018-02-21. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  12. "Shining Resonance Re:frain Producer Comments On Refrain Mode Has To Offer - Siliconera". Siliconera. 2017-11-19. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  13. "Shining Resonance Re:frain's New Trailer Features Its Two New Party Members, Costumes, More DLC - Siliconera". Siliconera. 2018-01-18. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  14. "Shining Resonance Refrain for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  15. "Shining Resonance Refrain for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  16. "Shining Resonance Refrain for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  17. "Shining Resonance Refrain for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  18. "Media Create Sales: 12/8/14 – 12/14/14 - Gematsu". Gematsu. 2014-12-17. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
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