Shining Resonance: Refrain headed to the Nintendo Switch for its western release

21 February 201821 February 2018 Lite_Agent SEGA, Shining Resonance: Refrain

Today, SEGA announced that Shining Resonance: Refrain, a remaster of Shining Resonance (originally released on PlayStation 3 back in 2013) was headed to Europe and North America this Summer. Now, you’re probably wondering why we’re talking about a PlayStation 4 game on this website, and it’s because SEGA is actually adding a Nintendo Switch SKU for the western release!

With this game, the Shining series is making its comeback after a decade-long absence in the West. It has you play as Yuma and his friends in their fight against the Empire.

Here’s the debut trailer:

And here’s what the story is all about:

Yuma has the soul of the Shining Dragon within him, transforming into the ancient beast by unleashing the power conducted through his sword. Dragons, long thought to be extinct, make Yuma a target for the Empire. To use him against the kingdom of Astoria, The Empire captures Yuma. Sonia, princess of Astoria, launches a rescue mission with the help of the Dragoneers. Hearing about the plight of Astoria and their fight to save their land, Yuma decides to aid them. Typically timid, will he find the courage to realize the strength he has within him?

Shining Resonance: Refrain features a real-time action battle system, where you need to use each party member’s unique abilities and strengths, but also deepen relationship with them via events and dates. If you want to unlock their full potential on the battlefield, that’s something you will have to deal with!

SEGA mentions a phenomenom called “Resonance”, that may occur between characters if their bond is deep enough. This Resonance provide a new level of support, and is key to victory.

But that’s not all: there’s also the B.A.N.D. system. Here’s how it works: Dragoneers wielrd Armonics (ancient weapon-instruments), and perform mystical and powerful Rune Songs. Once you’ve built enough Battle Performance Mana, you party can perform a session through that very B.A.N.D. system.

The kind of effects you get via the B.A.N.D. system depends on the song you play, and the character you set at the center. And that’s not all: certain characters even perform the song in a special costume.

This remaster features dual-audio (English and Japanese voices), but also all the DLC from the original version (included as part of the “Original Mode”, and a new mode called “Refrain Mode”.

In this one, you can play as the Imperial Princess Excella and Dragonslayer Jinas as party members. If you’ve never played Shining Resonance before, it’s highly recommended you save this mode for your second playthrough (unless you want spoilers…).

Shining Resonance: Refrain is getting a launch edition in North America, that includes the following: