Using a fixed camera system, Shining Force EXA plays out like prettier, though far more linear, rendition of Diablo. At times, the black outlines used to define the characters against the surrounding environment give the game a comic-like look, similar to Level 5's recently released Rogue Galaxy (PS2). As opponents fall and the constant battles destroy nearby objects, abundant quantities of loot appear. Ranging from money to equipment and items, nearby loot can be quickly collected through a few presses of the Circle button. Up and Down switch between the different special attacks or magic a character has available to them, the highlighted action activated by Triangle. Meanwhile, Left and Right handle the selection of items, with Square using the chosen item.

Shining Force EXA presents two playable characters, both with a distinctive battle style. Specializing in close-range sword play, Toma executes a basic attack with X, and further pressings chain the attacks into a combo. Holding the button down charges a special attack that spins Toma into foes, and another properly timed charge can send him twirling across the screen.

Meanwhile, Cyrille offers a more long-range approach. Using spell books found throughout the game, she can cast a variety of magical attacks like an offensive fireball, and in extremely close quarters, smack monsters across the head with the book itself. She can also assault foes with a crossbow, but at this point, the weakness of her crossbow necessitates far more tedious button mashing to fell foes.

Though the game initially forces players to tackle situations alone, other computer-controlled characters soon join in on the fight. This is especially helpful since the game isn't afraid to throw mob after mob of enemy skeletons in the player's direction, the mowing down of which comes across as particularly satisfying.

Still, in my brief time with Shining Force EXA, I have run across several worrying aspects. One dungeon in and Gadfort's sole battle cry has already grown rather grating. I find Toma's close-range swordplay far more enjoyable than Cyrille's long-range attacks, so I was not thrilled when forced to play as her. The preset camera requires players to rely on the mini-map to show potential exits, but the mini-map doesn't use the color-coded scheme the exit themselves employ to show if a path is accessible. Furthermore, the angles of the camera occasionally obscure foes behind environments. Again, I'm only a few hours in, so this could all change as the game advances. I have also yet to run across several promised gameplay features, such as the expansion of one's home base through the use of rare metals and defending it against attacks.

In short, Shining Force EXA has the potential to be one of the few really awesome action RPGs on the PlayStation 2, but it also faces numerous shortcomings. On one hand, the pretty graphics and simple gameplay provide that sort of addictive twinge that can make such games so compelling. On the other, many trivial issues could escalate into much larger issues, especially if the game continues forcing players into a certain gameplay style with characters that repeatedly spout the same thing while enemies hide behind the failings of a preset camera. We will find out soon enough, though--the game set is for release next week, on March 20.