Jab’s Builds! (Lawnmower Man! Samus Aran! Metroids!)

[Jabroniville]

BOWIE
First Appearance: Shining Force II
Class: Swordsman/Hero
Role: The Main Hero, Squire-Turned-Hero
Weapons: Swords
PL 12 (186)
STRENGTH 3 STAMINA 4 AGILITY 4
FIGHTING 12 DEXTERITY 1
INTELLIGENCE 1 AWARENESS 3 PRESENCE 3

Skills:
Athletics 5 (+8)
Deception 2 (+5)
Expertise (Soldier) 10 (+11)
Insight 3 (+6)
Intimidation 2 (+5)
Perception 4 (+7)
Persuasion 8 (+11)

Advantages:
Diehard, Equipment 2 (Sword +3-5, Armor +2), Fearless, Improved Critical (Swords) 2, Improved Defense, Improved Initiative, Inspire, Last Stand, Leadership, Power Attack, Ranged Attack 2, Teamwork

Powers:
"Egress!" Teleport 10 (Extras: Area- 500ft. +5, Selective, Extended Only +0) (Flaws: Limited to Last Town Visited, Tiring) [60]

"Force Sword" (Flaws: Easily Removable) [12]
Strength-Damage +9 (Extras: Penetrating 10) (19) -- (20 points)

• AE: "Freeze 3" Blast 9 (Extras: Area- 15ft. Burst +1/2) (Flaws: Unreliable -1/2- 8/day) (18)

"White Ring" (Flaws: Removable) [8]
Protection 2 (Extras: Impervious 8) (10 points)

Equipment:
"Swords" Strength-Damage +3-5

Offense:
Unarmed +12 (+3 Damage, DC 18)
Sword +12 (+6-8 Damage, DC 21-23)
Chaos Breaker +12 (+12 Damage, DC 27)
Freeze 3 +9 Area (+9 Ranged Damage, DC 24)
Initiative +9

Defenses:
Dodge +12 (DC 22), Parry +14 (DC 24), Toughness +4 (+6 Armor, +8 White Ring), Fortitude +6, Will +11

Complications:
Relationship (Princess Elis)- Bowie falls for the kidnapped Princess, eventually winning her heart by game's end.
Relationship (The Shining Force)- Bowie leads the Shining Force- the last defenders of Granseal. His closest friends are the first people on the team, but soon many more join.
Responsibility (Shining Force's Leader)- As the leader of the Shining Force and someone important to many other characters, Bowie is always targetted first by the enemy. Creatures that may choose any opponent will nearly always choose to attack Max.

Total: Abilities: 62 / Skills: 34--17 / Advantages: 15 / Powers: 80 / Defenses: 12 (186)

-Bowie is, well, pretty generic. Max, Nick & Bowie are all the same sorta "humble young man who learns to be a hero" archetype. Bowie's so generic that his father is a long-dead "Former captain of the guard" (theories have included both Max- who is probably too old- and Ian, the son of Kane, as his father), and his one true love is Elis, the Princess of Granseal, who naturally has been kidnapped by the bad guys. He apparently starts the game off being a bit mischievous and rebellious, but soon grows into an upstanding hero who won't see innocents come to harm. Bowie's so similar to Max that he even has the same statline and powers! I mean, the Force Sword is the same literal sword as Max's Chaos Breaker.

[Jabroniville]

ELRIC ("Polnaref" in Japan)
First Appearance: Shining Force II
Class: Archer/Sniper or Brass Gunner
Role: Ranged Fighter
Weapons: Bow & Arrow
PL 9 (90)
STRENGTH 2 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 4
FIGHTING 7 DEXTERITY 1
INTELLIGENCE 1 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE 2

Skills:
Athletics 7 (+9)
Expertise (Soldier) 5 (+6)
Insight 3 (+5)
Perception 4 (+6)
Persuasion 2 (+4)
Stealth 1 (+5)

Advantages:
Accurate Attack, Equipment 3 (Bow & Arrow, Assault Shell), Improved Aim, Improved Critical (Arrows), Precise Attack (Ranged/Cover), Ranged Attack 11, Teamwork

Equipment:
"Assault Shell" Blast 6

Offense:
Unarmed +7 (+2 Damage, DC 17)
Assault Shell +12 (+6 Ranged Damage, DC 20)
Initiative +4

Defenses:
Dodge +10 (DC 20), Parry +10 (DC 20), Toughness +3, Fortitude +5, Will +7

Complications:
Responsibility (Helping Others)- Elric was discovered by the Shining Force getting caught out while he was trying to help someone else.
Relationship (Janet)- The two are a couple- Janet joins the Shining Force to be with him.

Total: Abilities: 44 / Skills: 22--11 / Advantages: 19 / Powers: 0 / Defenses: 16 (90)

Promotions:
ARCHER- PL 9 (96): AGI +1, Improved Initiative, Dodge +2, Parry +1 [6]
BRASS GUNNER- PL 9 (89): Equipment (Tiny Car- Protection 3) [1]

-Elric is a forest-y looking Elf with light blue hair who joins your party after you rescue him from a Harpy- she attacked him after he tried to get a Fairy's help to save a sick dwarf. As the game's earliest Archer, you're usually expected to forget about these types, but this is our first sign that things are different- the "Brass Gunner" alternate promotion gives him better defenses (so he's not as much of a Glass Cannon), as it's a goofy-ass little armored car. I really can't imagine playing one, though.

[Jabroniville]

ROHDE ("Lloyd" in Japan)
First Appearance: Shining Force II
Class: Brass Gunner
Role: Ranged Fighter
Weapons: Bow & Arrow
PL 8 (91)
STRENGTH 2 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 3
FIGHTING 7 DEXTERITY 1
INTELLIGENCE 3 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE -1

Skills:
Athletics 7 (+9)
Expertise (Soldier) 5 (+8)
Expertise (History) 7 (+10)
Insight 3 (+5)
Perception 4 (+6)
Technology 3 (+6)
Vehicles 5 (+6)

Advantages:
Accurate Attack, Equipment 3 (Bow & Arrow, Assault Shell, Tiny Car- Protection 3), Improved Aim, Improved Critical (Arrows), Precise Attack (Ranged/Cover), Ranged Attack 9, Teamwork

Equipment:
"Assault Shell" Blast 6

Offense:
Unarmed +7 (+2 Damage, DC 17)
Assault Shell +10 (+6 Ranged Damage, DC 20)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +10 (DC 20), Parry +10 (DC 20), Toughness +3 (+6 Tiny Car), Fortitude +5, Will +7

Complications:
Reputation (Anti-Social)- Rohde doesn't get along well with others.

Total: Abilities: 40 / Skills: 34--17 / Advantages: 17 / Powers: 0 / Defenses: 17 (91)

-Rohde joins you later on in your adventure, and comes pre-promoted as a Brass Gunner- a goofy-looking sort with a tiny metal car. Rohde is a grumpy old man, said to be anti-social and interested only in ancient treasures- sure enough, he's only interested in talking to Bowie when he arrives with the ancient Achilles Sword. He soon joins your caravan, and acts as the driver. A Brass Gunner is PL 8 like a generic Archer, but sports PL 8 defenses as well compared to their more fragile brothers. As a pre-promoted character, however, he's not generally beloved.

[Jabroniville]

JANET
First Appearance: Shining Force II
Class: Archer/Sniper or Brass Gunner
Role: Ranged Fighter
Weapons: Bow & Arrow
PL 9 (89)
STRENGTH 2 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 4
FIGHTING 7 DEXTERITY 1
INTELLIGENCE 1 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE 2

Skills:
Athletics 7 (+9)
Expertise (Soldier) 5 (+6)
Insight 3 (+5)
Perception 4 (+6)
Persuasion 2 (+4)
Stealth 1 (+5)

Advantages:
Accurate Attack, Equipment 3 (Bow & Arrow, Assault Shell), Improved Aim, Improved Critical (Arrows), Precise Attack (Ranged/Cover), Ranged Attack 10, Teamwork

Equipment:
"Assault Shell" Blast 6

Offense:
Unarmed +7 (+2 Damage, DC 17)
Assault Shell +11 (+6 Ranged Damage, DC 20)
Initiative +4

Defenses:
Dodge +10 (DC 20), Parry +10 (DC 20), Toughness +3, Fortitude +5, Will +7

Complications:
Relationship (Elric)- The two are a couple- Janet joins the Shining Force to be with him.

Total: Abilities: 44 / Skills: 22--11 / Advantages: 18 / Powers: 0 / Defenses: 16 (89)

Promotions:
ARCHER- PL 9 (95): AGI +1, Improved Initiative, Dodge +2, Parry +1 [6]
BRASS GUNNER- PL 9 (88): Equipment (Tiny Car- Protection 3) [1]

-Janet is the "Diane" to Elric's "Hans" in Shining Force II, joining after him and being a female Elven Archer. When you return to Granseal and get dynamite to unblock the tunnel to the North, Janet stops you, letting you know that he rlove, Elric, is on your team. At first, Sir Astral thinks that she wants to take him away, but instead she joins you. With her GIANT flowery collar and flower-petal hat, she looks by far the most "Fae" of any Elven character in the games, particularly since it's bright pink. This makes her Brass Gunner optional upgrade seem very silly.

-Janet is pretty similar to Elric, but apparently a little bit worse at everything, in-game.

[Jabroniville]

Still not sure how fast to post these- Shining Force led the votes when I did a poll, but the builds are kinda same-y with other guys of the same class, and the comments seem to have dried up. I might post then a bit more quickly, but I haven’t decided yet.

[Jabroniville]

JAHA ("Jaja" in Japan)
First Appearance: Shining Force II
Class: Warrior/Gladiator or Baron
Role: Front-Line Fighter, The Tank
Weapons: Swords, Axes
PL 8 (85)
STRENGTH 4 STAMINA 6 AGILITY 3
FIGHTING 7 DEXTERITY 1
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE 3

Skills:
Athletics 2 (+6)
Expertise (Soldier) 7 (+7)
Intimidation 3 (+6)
Perception 3 (+5)
Persuasion 1 (+4)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Diehard, Equipment 2 (Axe +3-4, Armor +2, Shield +1), Fearless, Improved Critical (Axes), Interpose, Last Stand, Power Attack, Teamwork, Ultimate Toughness Save

Powers:
"Dwarf Physiology" Movement 1 (Mountainous Terrain) [2]

Equipment:
"Swords" Strength-Damage +3
"Great Axe" Strength-Damage +5

Offense:
Unarmed +8 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Sword +8 (+7 Damage, DC 22)
Great Axe +8 (+8 Damage, DC 23)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +5 (+6 Shield, DC 16), Parry +7 (+8 Shield, DC 18), Toughness +6 (+8 Armor), Fortitude +7, Will +8

Complications:
Responsibility (Guardiana)
Reputation (Lazy)
Relationship (Bowie & The Others)- The early cast are all boyhood chums.

Total: Abilities: 54 / Skills: 16--8 / Advantages: 11 / Powers: 2 / Defenses: 10 (85)

PromotionsI:
GLADIATOR- PL 9 (87): STA +1 [2]
BARON- PL 9 (87): uses Swords as well as Axes, Shield +1, Athletics +4 [2]

-Jaha is your first Warrior, and sports a rounded nose and physique like most Dwarves. He's one of Bowie's school friends from Granseal, and is the trademark strong/defensive Warrior. The prequel Shining Force: Final Conflict brought him back as a child, giving him a cooking pot for a helmet, but here he's a grown man. As either a Gladiator or a Baron, he reaches PL 8.5 defensively, but mainly through either his Shield boosting his defenses (Baron), or increased Toughness making him tankier (Gladiator). In any case, he's said not to be your best Warrior, but still quite good.

[Ken]

BOWIE

Powers:
"Force Sword" (Flaws: Easily Removable) [12]
Strength-Damage +9 (Extras: Penetrating 10) (19) -- (20 points)

• AE: "Freeze 3" Blast 9 (Extras: Area- 15ft. Burst +1/2) (Flaws: Unreliable -1/2- 8/day) (18)

Equipment:
"Swords" Strength-Damage +3-5

Bowie's so similar to Max that he even has the same statline and powers! I mean, the Force Sword is the same literal sword as Max's Chaos Breaker.

Anyone called Bowie should have a knife. And a singing voice.

[Jabroniville]

RANDOLF ("Dongo" in Japan)
First Appearance: Shining Force II
Class: Warrior/Gladiator or Baron
Role: Front-Line Fighter, The Tank, "One Of Four" Chosen Character
Weapons: Swords, Axes
PL 8 (86)
STRENGTH 4 STAMINA 6 AGILITY 3
FIGHTING 8 DEXTERITY 1
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE 2

Skills:
Athletics 2 (+6)
Expertise (Soldier) 7 (+7)
Intimidation 5 (+7)
Perception 3 (+5)
Persuasion 1 (+3)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Diehard, Equipment 2 (Axe +3-4, Armor +2, Shield +1), Fearless, Improved Critical (Axes), Interpose, Last Stand, Power Attack, Teamwork, Ultimate Toughness Save

Powers:
"Dwarf Physiology" Movement 1 (Mountainous Terrain) [2]

Equipment:
"Swords" Strength-Damage +3
"Great Axe" Strength-Damage +5

Offense:
Unarmed +9 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Sword +9 (+7 Damage, DC 22)
Great Axe +9 (+8 Damage, DC 23)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +5 (+6 Shield, DC 16), Parry +8 (+9 Shield, DC 19), Toughness +6 (+8 Armor), Fortitude +7, Will +8

Complications:
Responsibility (Guardiana)
Reputation (Arrogant)

Total: Abilities: 54 / Skills: 18--9 / Advantages: 11 / Powers: 2 / Defenses: 10 (86)

PromotionsI:
GLADIATOR- PL 9 (88): STA +1 [2]
BARON- PL 9 (88): uses Swords as well as Axes, Shield +1, Athletics +4 [2]

-An older-looking Dwarf Warrior who kind of looks like some generic "50-year old man" design, Randolf is one of four characters you're given the option of recruiting into the Shining Force- you choose one of the four, and then may recruit them later in the game after opening the gate at Moun. All are basic Classes in the game, but you can upgrade them any way you like, and they're said to each be the best of that respective Class, so you're best off picking your favorite of the lot. Randolf is thus apparently the best Warrior in the game, upgrading the same way as Jaha- either a faster Baron with a Shield, or a tougher Gladiator.

[Shock]

RANDOLF ("Dongo" in Japan)

He looks like Santa Claus "the early years"

[KorokoMystia]

I find it weird just how many characters in Shining Force CD share names with characters from II in the English version despite being different characters. I feel like there was mistranslations going on, since in that game Hanzou got mistranslated as "Higins" (which is a character from Shining Force II)

[Jabroniville]

GYAN
First Appearance: Shining Force II
Class: Gladiator
Role: Front-Line Fighter, The Tank
Weapons: Axes
PL 8 (85)
STRENGTH 4 STAMINA 7 AGILITY 3
FIGHTING 7 DEXTERITY 1
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE 3

Skills:
Athletics 2 (+6)
Expertise (Soldier) 7 (+7)
Intimidation 3 (+6)
Perception 3 (+5)
Persuasion 1 (+4)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Diehard, Equipment 2 (Axe +3-4, Armor +2, Shield +1), Fearless, Improved Critical (Axes), Interpose, Last Stand, Power Attack, Teamwork, Ultimate Toughness Save

Powers:
"Dwarf Physiology" Movement 1 (Mountainous Terrain) [2]

Equipment:
"Swords" Strength-Damage +3
"Great Axe" Strength-Damage +5

Offense:
Unarmed +8 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Sword +8 (+7 Damage, DC 22)
Great Axe +8 (+8 Damage, DC 23)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +5 (+6 Shield, DC 16), Parry +7 (+8 Shield, DC 18), Toughness +7 (+9 Armor), Fortitude +7, Will +8

Complications:
Relationship (Family)- Gyan leaves his family to save Paramecia from Zeon.

Total: Abilities: 56 / Skills: 16--8 / Advantages: 11 / Powers: 2 / Defenses: 10 (87)

-Gyan comes pre-promoted to Gladiator, and is more Dwarf-like than either of the other two in the game, being squat, hairy and sporting a magnificent full-body beard. You meet his family very early in the game (a little boy wondering where his father is)- Gyan was trapped by Devils in the cave that linked North & South Paramecia (the setting for Shining Force II), and you come along and defeat them. He joins the Shining Force in response, saying that he misses his family, but his homeland must come first. Joining the game so late, and pre-promoted, makes him pretty clearly the worst option- you're kind of expected to promote Jaha to Baron and partner him up with Lemon. His toughness is said to be the highest of the Warrior-types, but he's the worst at everything else.

[Jabroniville]

"(Whinny)...Oh, I love going into battle!"

CHESTER ("Huey" in Japan)
First Appearance: Shining Force II
Class: Knight/Paladin
Role: Assault Troop, "Starter Knight"
Weapons: Spears, Lances
PL 8 (88)
STRENGTH 3 STAMINA 4 AGILITY 3
FIGHTING 8 DEXTERITY 1
INTELLIGENCE 1 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE 2

Skills:
Athletics 8 (+11)
Expertise (Soldier) 7 (+8)
Insight 3 (+5)
Perception 3 (+5)

Advantages:
Equipment 2 (Lance +4, Armor +2, Shield +1), Improved Critical (Polearms), Power Attack, Ranged Attack 8, Teamwork

Powers:
"Centaur Physiology" Speed 2 (8 mph) [2]

Equipment:
"Lance/Halberd" Strength-Damage +4
"Thrown Spear" Blast 5
"Shield" Defenses +1

Offense:
Unarmed +8 (+3 Damage, DC 18)
Lance +8 (+7 Damage, DC 22)
Thrown Spear +8 (+5 Ranged Damage, DC 20)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +7 (+8 Shield, DC 18), Parry +9 (+10 Shield, DC 20), Toughness +4 (+6 Armor), Fortitude +5, Will +7

Complications:
Drawback (Hindered)- Centaurs do not do well in varied terrain- deserts, mountains and dense forests will heavily reduce their movement rant to slower than that of normal human beings.
Reputation (Cowardly)- Chester appears to be excessively cautious, though he will fight if it's necessary.

Total: Abilities: 48 / Skills: 22--11 / Advantages: 13 / Powers: 2 / Defenses: 12 (88)

Promotions:
PALADIN- PL 9 (90): STA +1 [2]
PEGASUS KNIGHT- PL 8 (91): Flight 3 (Winged) [3]

-Chester is the "Ken" of Shining Force II- the friendly male Centaur Knight who is friends with the hero before the game starts. Green-haired and slender, Chester appears nice enough, and gains HP quickly in the early game, making him a good front-line fighter alongside Jaha, but his usefulness drops off very heavily, same as Ken and others like him. By the end, it's considered more difficult to keep using Chester. Knights in the game may be promoted to Paladin or Pegasus Knight- the latter turns them into fliers. It's recommended to turn him into a Paladin, as the extra HP is necessary for him- he becomes too fragile as the game goes on otherwise.

[Jabroniville]

RICK ("Mick" in Japan)
First Appearance: Shining Force II
Class: Knight/Paladin
Role: Assault Troop, Mid-Level Knight
Weapons: Spears, Lances
PL 9 (91)
STRENGTH 3 STAMINA 4 AGILITY 3
FIGHTING 9 DEXTERITY 1
INTELLIGENCE 1 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE 2

Skills:
Athletics 8 (+11)
Expertise (Soldier) 7 (+8)
Insight 3 (+5)
Perception 3 (+5)

Advantages:
Equipment 2 (Lance +4, Armor +2, Shield +1), Improved Critical (Polearms), Power Attack, Ranged Attack 8, Teamwork

Powers:
"Centaur Physiology" Speed 2 (8 mph) [2]

Equipment:
"Lance/Halberd" Strength-Damage +4
"Thrown Spear" Blast 5
"Shield" Defenses +1

Offense:
Unarmed +9 (+3 Damage, DC 18)
Lance +9 (+7 Damage, DC 22)
Thrown Spear +8 (+5 Ranged Damage, DC 20)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +7 (+8 Shield, DC 18), Parry +10 (+11 Shield, DC 21), Toughness +4 (+6 Armor), Fortitude +5, Will +8

Complications:
Drawback (Hindered)- Centaurs do not do well in varied terrain- deserts, mountains and dense forests will heavily reduce their movement rant to slower than that of normal human beings.
Motivation (Excitement & Adventure)- The youthful Rick wants to join the Shining Force to see amazing sights.

Total: Abilities: 50 / Skills: 22--11 / Advantages: 13 / Powers: 2 / Defenses: 13 (91)

Promotions:
PALADIN- PL 9 (93): STA +1 [2]
PEGASUS KNIGHT- PL 9 (94): Flight 3 (Winged) [3]

-Another young-looking Knight, Rick wears very plain brown clothing in his profile picture. Returning to Hassan after the Caravan battle, your party will meet Rick, and he rushes at you asking to join with great enthusiasm, figuring that all the adventure would be awesome. This makes him the second Knight in your group. He's fine, though apparently pretty low-end as Knights go, with the Wikia site suggesting that he's just for people like me, who like Knights. I made him PL 8.5 to start, but he fleshes out as a Paladin, and has more movement as a Pegasus Knight.

[Jabroniville]

"I trained a lot when I was younger. Style is more important than strength."

ERIC
First Appearance: Shining Force II
Class: Knight/Paladin
Role: Assault Troop, Elite Knight, "One Of Four" Chosen Character
Weapons: Spears, Lances
PL 9 (97)
STRENGTH 4 STAMINA 5 AGILITY 3
FIGHTING 9 DEXTERITY 1
INTELLIGENCE 1 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE 2

Skills:
Athletics 8 (+12)
Expertise (Soldier) 8 (+9)
Insight 3 (+5)
Intimidation 3 (+5)
Perception 4 (+6)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Equipment 2 (Lance +4, Armor +2, Shield +1), Improved Critical (Polearms), Power Attack, Ranged Attack 9, Teamwork

Powers:
"Centaur Physiology" Speed 2 (8 mph) [2]

Equipment:
"Lance/Halberd" Strength-Damage +4
"Thrown Spear" Blast 5
"Shield" Defenses +1

Offense:
Unarmed +10 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Lance +10 (+8 Damage, DC 23)
Thrown Spear +9 (+5 Ranged Damage, DC 20)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +8 (+9 Shield, DC 19), Parry +10 (+11 Shield, DC 21), Toughness +5 (+7 Armor), Fortitude +5, Will +7

Complications:
Drawback (Hindered)- Centaurs do not do well in varied terrain- deserts, mountains and dense forests will heavily reduce their movement rant to slower than that of normal human beings.
Responsibility (Arrogant)- Eric thinks very highly of himself.

Total: Abilities: 54 / Skills: 26--13 / Advantages: 15 / Powers: 2 / Defenses: 13 (97)

Promotions:
PALADIN- PL 9 (97): xxxxx [0]
PEGASUS KNIGHT- PL 9 (100): Flight 3 (Winged) [3]

-An adult Centaur dressed like Robin Hood, Eric is one of four characters you're given the option of recruiting into the Shining Force- you choose one of the four, and then may recruit them later in the game after opening the gate at Moun. All are basic Classes in the game, but you can upgrade them any way you like, and they're said to each be the best of that respective Class, so you're best off picking your favorite of the lot. Eric is thus your best Knight, but is considered the least-useful of the four characters you could choose from- you have plenty of Knights already, and get more later, while a Mage or something is much more rare.

-Because he's the best of the Knights, Eric is a fully-rounded out PL 9 offensive & defensive fighter, and easily becomes the strongest Pegasus Knight as well.

[Grenzer]

Having played the original Shining Force for the Genesis many years ago, this set was a nice surprise for me. I never knew they remade the game for the GBA and inserted new characters and extra dialogue. It is worth pointing out that Mae's crush on Max was in the original, but only alluded to in a handful of scenes, the big one being in the ending of the game. Maybe a poor translation from Japanese to English made it less obvious, but it was clear to me even as a much younger man what was going on there.

When you look back it is strange that the Genesis lagged behind the SNES in terms of JRPG development. The Phantasy Star and Shining Force series are the flagship titles, with the Langrisser/Warsong series* being worthy companions. Outside of that you had a handful of ports like Pirates, Gauntlet IV and Shadowrun, and a couple of very playable but obscure titles like Vixen 357 and Traysia. The Action RPG selection is also a little slim, but there were some real classics like Landstalker, Crusader of Centy, and Beyond Oasis.

Granted there was a real tech gap between the Genesis and the SNES, and companies like SquareSoft and Enix (back when they were separate entities) used that advantage to produce some seminal titles for Nintendo that would have never ported over well to the Genesis. But considering Sega released their 16-bit system more than two years earlier than their main competitor, you would think they could have gotten more software developers to develop a wider range of RPG titles.

My theory is that Sega ended up neglecting developing more RPG games due to their greater success and consequential focus in Western markets, where the genre was still very niche at the time. By the time it was clear that RPGs were becoming more popular in America and Europe, it was too late and a lot of the best talent in the industry had moved on to Nintendo, and later Sony. It might have been one of the key factors that led to Sega's failure in the console market after 1995.

*A tactical RPG series like Shining Force, only the first game was officially released outside of Japan.