Shining Resonance Refrain Reviews
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 Shining Resonance: Refrain is a learning opportunity in recognizing when parts of a game are overextended or outdated.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 is a good, albeit predictable JRPG.
Shining Resonance Refrain is a very cliched role-playing game, too boring and predictable for 2018. Biggest fans can spend around 30 hours on romance activities and silly dialogues with gothic lolitas, but for everyone else there are enough great games for deeper immersion out there.
Review in Russian | Read full review
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.
Shining Resonance Refrain performs well on certain elements, such as its characters, the amount of content available and the simple but competent battle system. Unfortunately the game is not that inviting to explore and the clichés all around its plot mean that it does not have a lot going for it that can set it apart from other RPGs, especially as this is a game of a previous generation being adapted to the Nintendo Switch.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Shining Resonance Refrain pivots between enjoyable and very dull moments. For every good aspect, there is another that undoes it, while everything else is strictly mediocre.
All in all, Shining Resonance Refrain is a solid effort that ticks off a lot of JRPG checkboxes. Admittedly, it has a by-the-numbers feel and doesn't have that uniqueness seen in heavy hitters such as Persona 5. Its fetchy, repeating side quests also feel a bit long in the tooth. At the same time, I appreciate the game being brought over to our shores, which is hopefully a trend that continues as the genre sees a resurgence. The more JRPGs make it to the West, the better it is for fans.
Shining Resonance Refrain is a triumphant return overseas for an iconic JRPG series. It has solid foundations in the usual JRPG business of fantasy kingdoms and amnesiac warrior boys, but it builds off of that foundation with charming characters and gorgeous art to create a pretty unique identity for itself. While some aspects of the game are a little unpolished, it's still a standout JRPG worth standing alongside any of the other big players in that genre, and worth checking out by anyone who calls themselves a JRPG fan.
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 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
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.
The very definition of mediocre, Shining Resonance Refrain fails to stand out from the crowd in another packed year of RPGs.
If JRPGs with layered combat systems, a beautiful worlds, and the call of unique lore sounds up your alley, then give this game a whirl.
With so many brilliant action-RPGs on the market, it's difficult to prioritize Shining Resonance Refrain, which is only decent by comparison.
If I can summarize the entirety of Shining Resonance Refrain into one word, it would be generic.
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.
Famous series finally came back to the West. Sadly, it will probably be appreciated only by the biggest fans of the genre, although the story focusing on music and dragons is quite engaging.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Shining Resonance: Refrain's focus on music and dragons is a great concept, but it comes across as a bit choppy in practice.
Take on the persona of Yuma who contains within him the essence of the Shining Dragon and protect those who believe in freedom and kindness against an evil that would only wish upon others control and depressing conditions. Enjoy the dating simulation, bond with your companions, and dress them up to your heart’s desire – or don’t – the choice is yours. With a great deal of story twists and turns, deeply customizable battle system, and an alternative story, you can’t go wrong with this Action-RPG.
What we have here is the video game equivalent of plain yogurt. There’s nothing really notable about it, but it’s perfectly edible and gets the job done if you’re hungry. If you’re really in the need to get your JRPG fix, there’s much worse you can play than Refrain. If you’re looking for something new and interesting, though, you’re not going to find it here.