“The peaceful kingdom of Cypress has suddenly been disrupted by the corrupt ambition of the evil King Iom. Terror rampages across the land. The Castle of Cypress is invaded and the magical Sword of Hajya is taken! It will take strength, courage, agility and your keen sense of strategy to defy this ominous power.”  – from the Shining Force: Sword of Hajya box.

Although Shining Force Gaiden 2 (released as “Shining Force: Sword of Hajya” in the USA) was only released for the Game Gear in Japan and the USA, it was released in Europe in the form of Shining Force CD for the Mega CD (which is a compilation of Gaiden and Gaiden II, with two extra adventures). The game takes place 20 years after the original Shining Force, and just after Gaiden 1 (naturally). After rescuing Queen Anri, Prince Nick and the Cypress Troops join forces with Guardiana to prevent Iom’s evil plan.

Since the game is on an 8-bit system, the graphics aren’t great by comparison to the other games (but quite spectacular as Game Gear graphics go!) and the sound… well, I like it anyway. The one thing I really missed while playing Shining Force Gaiden II was “town roaming” sections – there aren’t any. All three of the Gaidens, and even Shining Force CD lack towns – all towns are the same and are more like the one in Shining in the Darkness than in Shining Force. A single shop, and HQ, that’s it. No roaming around plundering houses… the game is battle upon battle with some cut scenes of story inbetween. Still great fun though, and great for those who get tired of spending an hour in town trying to figure out what to do next.