This March, Sega continues its Shining Force franchise with the PlayStation 2 game Shining Force EXA. Boasting numerous improvements over the prequels, it should give RPG fans plenty of thrills.

The game takes place in a fantasy realm in which a war breaks out between two factions. Monsters and beasts roam the countryside, creating unrest among those trying to survive. Sick and tired of the disparaging conditions of the war, two young heroes rise up to fight back. Toma, a boy with a knack for swordplay, and Cyrille, a powerful sorceress, set out on a quest to bring peace to their land.

EXA forces the two warriors to fight against a number of different foes. Players must also constantly defend their home base, the Geo Fortress, from incoming attacks. The game includes a solid tactical fighting engine, similar to the one in Shining Force Neo. Both offensive and defensive strategies hold importance during battles, as enemies unleash many unpredictable attacks.

When defending the Geo Fortress, players break away from their current party and choose from five different battle types. This should blend the in-game combat tremendously; instead of making it another case of throwing a spell and waiting for a counter-spell. Toma uses thunderous sword slashes to get his point across, while Cyrille prefers the use of a vigorous crossbow and long-distance magic spells.