Shining Resonance Refrain Reviews
With a cast of characters I won't soon forget, Yuma's personal story of dealing with the Shining Dragon is a tale I'm glad to have been apart of – even if there are some missteps along the way.
Shining Resonance Refrain displays all the qualities one would expect in a JRPG game, albeit in a dated and unimaginative fashion. Fans of the genre will find plenty to sing about but for those not sold on Japan's ideals of an RPG, there's little more here than a solid story and some good dungeon grinding.
Apart from the dated combat, Shining Resonance seemed to have the right elements to be a success but just missed a certain chemistry to really hook me in. Fans of previous titles in the series and seasoned RPG players may find the enjoyment that alluded me. I wouldn't tell you to avoid this game, but there's a whole lot I would recommend before it.
Shining Resonance Refrain has its small irritating bits here and there and turns out to not be a very large scale JRPG, but that doesn't mean that it should be shunned for it. Its smaller scale and relatively simpler structure makes it easier to sink some time into than an even more massive JRPG like the Xenoblade titles, which may be more intimidating as a result of their scope. As for its minor setbacks, they are easily offset by its other intrinsic qualities, chiefly the loveable cast of main characters. Fans of the JRPG genre in its more classical form, but also of manga/anime style adventure stories, should find plenty to enjoy here.
What I liked about Shinning Resonance Refrain was that it has a solid cast of characters that are well-written and the combat is dynamic enough that you will keep experimenting with it. It is not a flawless experience but for fans of the genre, it is one of the better games to release this generation.
Shining Resonance Refrain isn't a great game but it isn't a bad one either. I love the combat despite the repetition and the story and characters are both worth paying attention to, but it's rough around the edges. Whether it's the dated presentation, the several wholly unnecessary systems, or traversing the same areas ad nauseum, there are simply too many roadblocks for me to give it a resounding recommendation.
Shining Resonance: Refrain's focus on music and dragons is a great concept, but it comes across as a bit choppy in practice.
Shining Resonance Refrain is a decidedly adequate game. It has dozens of hours of content, but those hours include passable battles, an average story, tired MMO elements, and a mediocre dating sim to boot. It's not going to twist the arm of someone who's sworn off JRPGs like Persona 5 would, but it could do just enough to satisfy die-hard fans of the genre.
Shining Resonance Refrain is a step on the right direction for the franchise, showing that it's ready to shine on stage again as a great JRPG that may not be a masterpiece, but resonates with the player, entertains and involves like a good song.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
As an action JRPG that focuses on music and European themes, Shining Resonance: Refrain hits about half of its marks. The European aspects with gallant warriors fighting off the impending doom of dragons is incredibly fun in this game. It's the perfect amount of challenge, and it almost presents the player with a JRPG-Musou hybrid that's rewarding to play. However, music and story are largely lacking in the game, either being convoluted or unimaginative, if not both. Given the overly complex customization and sexist tones, the whole project drops from above average to lackluster. Shining Resonance: Refrain is a learning opportunity in recognizing when parts of a game are overextended or outdated.
Shining Resonance Refrain may not go down in the annuls of gaming history as one of the best RPGs ever, but is by far one of the most solid RPGs we've seen in recent years.
With a middling story and poor pacing, Shining Resonance Refrain isn't for everyone. Fans of the genre will find its combat and systems entertaining while the game's support cast is more intriguing than its central character. It's a flawed entry but those looking for their summer role-playing game fix will find a lot to immerse themselves in.
Shining Resonance: Refrain is, I hope, the beginning of the Shining series' return to the US and EU as a SEGA mainstay. Its systems are top-notch, its action is uniquely its own, and lord knows we need more solid JRPGs back in the West.
Shining Resonance Refrain is a missed opportunity for Sega to bring its beloved JRPG series to the west in its better form. The remaster has several problems (both technical and structural), but can still deliver some fun to the hardcore aficionados.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Shining Resonance Refrain doesn't do too much to get away from JRPG tropes, but that might be part of its charm as some of its themes have been addressed in several JRPGs prior but that should come as no surprise to fans of the genre.
Shining Resonance Refrain manages to bury its many interesting ideas under repetitive gameplay and a dragged-on story.
It's not even the best JRPG we've had this year, but Shining Resonance: Refrain is nonetheless competent and fun enough on its merits to earn a look from fans of the genre.
It's not an awful game by any means, it's just a fine JRPG, but with a predictable story and repeated backtracking, this is a game that is lacking any spark to be anything other than a local school orchestra rather than being the London symphony.
If you are looking for a JRPG that encapsulates the summer vacation experience, this one may very well be for you.
Shining Resonance Refrain is an interesting, trope heavy, story with combat that could be fun, if there was less padding. None of these things stop it from being a good game, it just prevents it from being truly great. Despite the negativity towards a lot of it, the characters were fun enough where I found myself excited on seeing where things would go, it just requires you to be interested in a lot of clichés found in things like anime. Outside of that, combat is fun, at least when you’re not out classed, with the Switch having some slight performance issues, making Shining Resonance Refrain an okay experience. One fantasy and anime fans will probably like, with it having very little for anyone else. Well, outside of nice music and pretty visuals.