Shining in the Darkness

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ShiningInTheDarkness title.png

Shining in the Darkness
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Virtual Console, Steam
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: RPG

















Release Date RRP Code
CERO
Missing Parameter!

Shining in the Darkness, called Shining and the Darkness (シャイニング＆ザ・ダクネス) in Japan, is a 1991 game by Sega and Climax Entertainment for the Sega Mega Drive. It is the first game in Sega's Shining series — but unlike most of the rest of the franchise, this one is a 3D dungeon-crawler RPG.

Development

Shining in the Darkness was a joint venture developed by Sega's Consumer Development Studio #4 division (renamed Sonic Co. before this game's release) and a team at Climax Entertainment, headded by Hiroyuki Takahashi, a rising stars in the world of RPG development (Takahashi had previously been involved in Enix's popular Dragon Quest series, so were seen as a good fit for the project). However, corporate reasoning gave Shining and the Darkness a minimal development budget, and a small four-man team, meaning Climax were responsible for the bulk of the game's development.

Nevertheless Shining in the Darkness was a success for the company, and led to other entries in the Shining franchise, most notably the next game, Shining Force.

Story

You are the son of Mortred, a warrior who was last seen near a dungeon known as the Labyrinth in the kingdom of Thornwood with the Princess Jessa. King Drake summons you to go find her, but just as that is about to happen, the evil Dark Sol appears and offers a ransom — Mortred and the Princess for the kingdom. It is now up to you to save the two and defeat Dark Sol before he destroys King Drake instead...

Gameplay

The game takes place in three areas — the castle (where you talk to the King and his servants), the town (where you can buy weapons, armor, and items, save your game and heal in the church, and talk to townsfolk), and the Labyrinth (the actual dungeon). In the castle, towns, and buildings, use Left and Right to navigate and A to interact.

The Labyrinth is (appropriately) a 3D maze. Up moves forward, Left and Right turn, and Down moves backward. A and C open a menu at the bottom of the screen where you can do mundane things to the members of your party. Enemy encounters happen randomly throughout the Labyrinth — the same menu is used to attack. Should you die in battle, you will be taken back to the church in the town, losing half your collected gold in the process.

Production Credits

Written and Produced by: Hiroyuki Takahashi
Special Effects: Yasuhiro Taguchi
Assistant Director: Yoshinori Tagawa, Bob Timbello
Artwork and Design: Hidehiro Yoshida
Outline and Storyboards: Yoshitaka Tamaki
Music: Masahiko Yoshimura
Visual Support: Ryutaro Ishimatsu
Technical Support: Haruki Kodera
Director: Kan Naitoh
Special Thanks: Media Mixture, Mad Cap
Executive Producer: Sega Enterprises
Created by Climax

Artwork

  • SitD Art 1.jpg

Physical Scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
68 №3, p92/93
91 №12
80 №27
91 №22, p121
78 №5, p63
72 №5, p94
89 №18, p71
72 №1, p80
69 №14, p112/113
89 №15, p58/59
100 №23, p54
92 №28, p38/39
93 №1, p58/59/60
90 №6, p28
88 №18, p67
90 №1, p52/53
Sega Mega Drive
 85
Based on
16 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
70
[1]
Ação Games (BR) NTSC-U (BR)
80
[2]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
80
[3]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
83
[4]
Consoles + (FR)
68
[5]
Console XS (UK) PAL
93
[6]
Cool Gamer (RU)
50
[7]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 8 (RU)
80
[8]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
69
[9]
Games-X (UK) NTSC-J
91
[10]
Games-X (UK)
80
[11]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
90
[12]
Joypad (FR)
93
[13]
Joystick (FR)
91
[14]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
75
[15]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
86
[16]
Mega (UK) PAL
89
[17]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
95
[18]
MegaTech (UK)
72
[19]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
69
[20]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
72
[21]
Player One (FR)
89
[22]
Play Time (DE)
75
[23]
Power Play (DE)
85
[24]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-J
100
[25]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
92
[26]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[27]
Sega Pro (UK)
90
[28]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[29]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
90
[30]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
79
[31]
Super Gaming (US)
50
[32]
Tilt (FR)
85
[33]
Tricks Gold (RU)
85
[34]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US)
80
[35]
Video Games (DE)
85
[36]
Sega Mega Drive
 82
Based on
36 reviews

Shining in the Darkness

Mega Drive, US
SitD MD US Box.jpg
Cover
SitD md us cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
SitD MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, JP
SitD MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
SitD MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Shiningdarkness md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, BR
SitD MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
SitD MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart

External Links



Shining series of games
Sega Mega Drive
 Shining in the Darkness (1991) | Shining Force (1992) | Shining Force II (1993)
Sega Game Gear
 Shining Force Gaiden: Ensei Jashin no Kuni e (1992) | Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya (1993) | Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict (1995)
Sega Mega-CD
 Shining Force CD (1994)
Sega Saturn
 Shining Wisdom (1995) | Shining the Holy Ark (1996) | Shining Force III (Scenario 2, 3, Premium Disc) (1997-1998)
Game Boy Advance
 Shining Soul (2002) | Shining Soul II (2003) | Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon (2004)
Sony PlayStation 2
 Shining Tears (2004) | Shining Force Neo (2005) | Shining Force EXA (2007) | Shining Wind (2007)
Mobile phone
 Shining Road to the Force (2005) | Shining Force Chronicle I (2005) | Shining Force Chronicle II (2005) | Shining Force Chronicle III (2006) | Shining Road II (2006) | Shining Wind X (2008) | SFCE Tokei (2012)
Windows PC
 Shining Tears Material Collection (2006) | Shining Wind Fan Fest (2009)
Nintendo DS
 Shining Force Feather (2009)
Arcade
 Shining Force Cross (2009) | Shining Force Cross Raid (2010) | Shining Force Cross Elysion (2012) | Shining Force Cross Exlesia (2013) | Shining Force Cross Exlesia Zenith (2014) | Blade Arcus from Shining (2014)
Sony PlayStation Portable
 Shining Hearts (2010) | Shining Blade (2012) | Shining Ark (2013)
Sony PlayStation 3
 Shining Resonance (2014) | Blade Arcus from Shining EX (2015)
Sony PlayStation 4
 Blade Arcus from Shining EX (2015) | Shining Resonance Refrain (2018)
iOS
Google Android OS
 Shining Force Classics (2018) | Shining Force: Hero of Light and Darkness (2022)
World
Strategy games: Gameplay | Items | Accessories | Weapons | Magic
Shining related media
Albums
Sound Story of Shining and the Darkness (1991) | Shining Force Special Sound CD (1992) | Symphonic Suite Shining Force II (1993) | Symphonic Suite the Another Story of Shining Force (1994) | Shining Wisdom (1995) | Shining the Holy Ark Original Soundtrack (1996) | Shining Force III Original Soundtrack (1998) | Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon Original Sound Tracks (2004) | Shining Tears (2004) | Shining Force Neo Music Collection (2005) | Shining Theme Music Shiro SAGISU Collection (2005) | Shining Tears Music Collection (2005) | Shining Force EXA Music Collection (2007) | Shining Wind Music Collection (2007) | Shining Tears X Wind Original Soundtrack (2007) | Shining Force Feather Soundtrack (2009) | Shining Hearts Kaizoku Hihou Fan Disc (2010) | Shining Force Cross Raid Original Sound Track (2011) | Shining Hearts Original Soundtrack (2011) | Shining Blade Haru no Shin Seikatsu Ouen Fan Disc (2012) | Shining Blade Character Song Album (2012) | Shining Ark Tenshi no Fandisc (2013) | Shining Force Cross Original Sound Track (2014) | Shining Resonance Music Collection (2015)
Audiobooks
Shining Tears Drama CD Vol. 1 Dark Side: Memories and departure (2006) | Shining Tears Drama CD Vol. 2 Light Side: Yuushatei Hanjouki (2006) | Shining Wind Drama CD Vol. 1 (2007) | Shining Wind Drama CD Vol. 2 (2008) | Shining Force EXA Drama CD (2008) | Shining Wind Drama CD Vol. 3 (2008) | Shining Wind Drama CD Vol. 4 (2009) | Drama CD Shining Force Feather (2009) | Drama CD Shining Hearts (2011)
Books
Guide book: Shining and the Darkness Koushiki Guide Book (1991) | Shining Force Kanzen Kouryaku Guide (1992) | Shining Force Battle Guide (1993) | Shining Force II: Inishie no Fuuin Game Guide Book (1993) | Shining Force CD Koushiki Guide Book (1994) | Shining Wisdom Koushiki Guide Book (1995) | Shining the Holy Ark Koushiki Guide Book (1996) | Shining Force III Scenario 1: Outo no Kyoshin Official Guide (1997) | Shining Force III Scenario 1: Outo no Kyoshin Perfect Navi (1998) | Shining Force III Scenario 2: Nerawareta Miko Official Guide (1998) | Shining Force III Scenario 2: Nerawareta Miko Perfect Navi (1998) | Shining Force III Scenario 3: Hyouheki no Jashinguu Perfect Navi (1998) | Shining Force III Koushiki Settei Shiryoushuu (1999) | Shining Soul Kanzen Kouryaku Guide (2002) | Shining Force: Kuroki Ryuu no Fukkatsu Final Complete Guide (2004) | Shining Tears Final Complete Guide (2004) | Shining Tears Saikyou Kishidan Ikusei Guide (2004) | Shining Tears Official Strategy Guide (2005) | Shining Force Neo Force Master Ikusei Guide (2005) | Shining Force Neo Final Complete Guide (2005) | Shining Force Neo Official Strategy Guide (2005) | Shining Force EXA: The Master Guide‎ (2007) | Shining Force EXA Official Strategy Guide (2007) | Shining Force EXA Final Complete Guide (2007) | Shining Wind Saisoku Guide Book (2007) | Shining Wind Final Complete Guide (2007) | Shining Tears X Wind Original Soundtrack (2007) | Shining Force Feather: The Master Guide‎ (2009) | Shining Force Feather Complete Guide (2009) | Shining Hearts Saisoku Guide Book (2010) | Shining Hearts Complete Guide (2011) | Shining Force Cross Raid Guide Book 1st (2011) | Shining Force Cross Raid Guide Book 2nd (2011) | Shining Blade First Blader's Guide (2012) | Shining Blade Complete Guide (2012) | Shining Force Cross Settei Shiryoushuu (2012) | Shining Ark Complete Guide (2013) | Shining Blade & Ark Visual Settei Shiryoushuu (2013)
Art book: Works for Shining the Holy Ark (1996) | Shining Force III Koushiki Settei Shiryoushuu (1999) | Shining Force EXA Visual Settei Shiryoushuu (2007) | Shining Force Feather Visual Settei Shiryoushuu (2009) | Shining Hearts Visual Settei Shiryoushuu (2011)
Unsorted: Shining and the Darkness Kouryakuhon (xxxx) | Shining Force: Kamigami no Isan Hisshou Kouryaku-hou (xxxx) | Shining Force Kouryaku no Tebiki (xxxx) | Shining Force II Inishie no Fuuin Hisshou Kouryaku-hou (xxxx) | Shining Force II Inishie no Fuuin Kouryaku no Tebiki (xxxx) | Shining Force Gaiden Final Conflict Hisshou Kouryaku-hou (xxxx) | Shining Force Gaiden & Gaiden II Hisshou Kouryaku-hou (xxxx) | Tony's Artworks from Shining Worlds (xxxx)
Film
Shining Tears X Wind (2007) | Shining Hearts: Shiawase no Pan (2010)
Toys
Weiß Schwarz Shining Force EXA TCG (2009)
  1. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 206
  2. ↑ Ação Games, "Novembro 1997" (BR; 1997-xx-xx), page 8
  3. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Dezember 1991" (DE; 1991-11-15), page 138
  4. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1991" (JP; 1991-03-08), page 29
  5. ↑ Consoles +, "Novembre 1991" (FR; 1991-11-07), page 92
  6. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 134
  7. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 186
  8. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 8, "" (RU; 2001-10-04), page 295
  9. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 88
  10. ↑ Games-X, "11th-17th July 1991" (UK; 1991-07-11), page 38
  11. ↑ Games-X, "24th-30th October 1991" (UK; 1991-10-24), page 36
  12. ↑ Hippon Super, "April 1991" (JP; 1991-03-04), page 40
  13. ↑ Joypad, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-11-19), page 73
  14. ↑ Joystick, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 121
  15. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 63
  16. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "June 1991" (JP; 1991-05-08), page 91
  17. ↑ Mega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 71
  18. ↑ Mega Force, "Novembre 1991" (FR; 1991-11-19), page 92
  19. ↑ MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 80
  20. ↑ Mean Machines, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-29), page 112
  21. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
  22. ↑ Player One, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 58
  23. ↑ Play Time, "2/92" (DE; 1992-01-08), page 93
  24. ↑ Power Play, "12/91" (DE; 1991-11-13), page 170
  25. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
  26. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 38
  27. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 58
  28. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 28
  29. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 67
  30. ↑ Sega Force, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 52
  31. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  32. ↑ Super Gaming, "Fall 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 6
  33. ↑ Tilt, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 50
  34. ↑ Tricks Gold, "Sega dlya strategov" (RU; 2003-01-09), page 162
  35. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "November 1991" (US; 1991-1x-xx), page 38
  36. ↑ Video Games, "3/91" (DE; 1991-09-06), page 82
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