Fans of other Shining titles will obviously recognize the title's surname. However, this Shining game isn't a strategy RPG or dungeon-crawler as previous titles have been. This is a full-fledged action RPG with a twist: co-op play. Good co-op action RPGs are hard to come by, since so many things can go wrong in creating such gameplay.

Shining Tears takes place in the Kingdom of Shildia. The two main characters are Xion, who suffers from amnesia, and the heroine Elwyn who finds him. Together they discover that Xion possesses two rings which indue great power; light and dark power rings. Sega has described the history of the rings and beginning of the story and introduction of these rings, "Many years ago when forests were filled with monsters and thieves, and knights who fought fearlessly to protect their kingdom, two magic rings changed the lives of two such knights forever. When the Twin Dragon Kinghts, as legend remembers them, donned the identical rings, they joined forces and fought so flawlessly, they became heroes. But that's not why we remember them today..."

Players prepare for battle by choosing which type of character to use in battle. Each character has a light and dark version which can be donned with different abilities and personalities. Once donned, they can fight back the forces of Rune Geist who are invading their homeland. A single player can control the main character with the left stick and fight along side an AI companion, while also giving commands to the second character with the right analog stick. Alternatively, a friend can join in on the fun and control the second character. The powerful linked attacks and combos available to the player(s) will vary depending on the second character being used. Each character also has their own special abilities. Once players are finished with a battle they may replay the battle later by returning to the Heroes Heath in town.

There are initially four areas of the main town to visit and three to unlock as the game progresses. Players can take items acquired to be appraised for use, and special items can be taken to a blacksmith for combining with weapons and armor. Xion can also go to Wildcat Lane to talk to locals about the latest gossip and rumors.

Aesthetically, Shining Tears will play in 2D and feature hand drawn backgrounds, large character portraits, and super-deformed characters. The look is charming and retro, but with servicable graphics and spell effects. Look for Shining Tears to excite action RPG fans when released in North America on 3/22/05.

Screenshots below. Click to view.

• Xion
• Elwyn
• A Centaur
• The Swordsman
• Ryuna, the Priestess
• Volg, the Wolfman
• Conversation
• A Discovery?
• A battle
• Never tell me the odds