Shining Soul II Critic Reviews

In a generation of games where developers put more time into cutscenes, talking, and character development than into pure gameplay, this hack/slash RPG is a huge relief. There's a time and place for games that are more like movies, but Shining Soul 2 is a reminder as to what this hobby of videogames is all about.

I always wondered if someone could pull off a "Diablo"-esque game on the GBA, and this proves it can be done, and done well.

There is an incredible amount of replay value if you're willing to tackle the advanced difficulty or try a different class through the game. However, while alone, the game does lose a bit of its steam.

Slow-to-roll-out dialogue bogs down the game at the beginning, but the pace quickens when the fighting begins.

With eight character classes the possibilities for multiplayer and replay are endless.

The crowning glory is a co-operative multiplayer game that's every bit as thrilling as the GBA's "Four Swords." It's hardcore, but accessible.

Its single-player is engaging and varied, and the multiplayer is even better. If you're looking for something a little deeper than the usual GBA fare, Shining Soul II is sure to put a smile on any gamer's face.

Variety and customization are what people enjoy about the dungeon crawler genre, and Shining Soul II offers both in abundance.

A significant improvement over last year's original and a lot more fun and playable. The developers worked to make the sequel a much more realized action RPG than the original.

It feels a little bit like "Zelda" and has the depth of "Diablo." Not bad. Not bad at all.

With the variety of unique character choices, the interesting level-up method, and rocking multiplayer, Shining Soul II has its charm. Still, I can't help feeling it's still missing something to give it more oomph, at least in single-player mode.

The game is obviously hard, and the fact that there’s no pause screen doesn’t help either.

Get some friends together, though, and you've got one seriously fun multiplayer RPG.

Vastly improved graphics and animations make this practically a new game.

This is the game that the original should have been.

Shining Soul II doesn't really pack enough charm to distinguish itself as anything other than a solid yet unspectacular RPG. It even struggles to differentiate itself from the first game, looking and playing almost exactly the same.

The gameplay that's presented is fun, especially with the variety of weapons and upgradeable skills, and the ability to play with four players is much appreciated, but I really wish they'd added more depth and diversity to the experience.

Shining Soul II suffers from a very flawed combat system, leaving it open to RPG veterans only.