Shining Force III

Shining Force III is a tactical role-playing game released for the Sega Saturn. In Japan, Shining Force III was a video game released in three parts across three discs - Scenario 1, Scenario 2, and Scenario 3 - released individually across late 1997 and 1998. Game data could be saved and transferred forward to later scenarios in order to influence events and obtain rewards in-game, a mechanic marketed as the "Synchronicity system". Each scenario utilizes the same core gameplay mechanics, but follows a different character's perspective of the overarching narrative in a shared game world. In North America and Europe, only the first entry, Scenario 1, was translated into English, and was simply titled Shining Force III for its release in mid-1998. The title was the last in the long-running Shining series to be developed by original developers Camelot Software Planning, the last to be developed for Sega hardware as the series would go on a hiatus until after Sega's exit from the hardware industry, and the last game from Camelot Software to not be developed exclusively for Nintendo hardware. The game was generally well-received, albeit with relatively limited sales due to its release late in the Saturn's lifespan. It has not been re-released, though unofficial English fan translations for Scenario 2 and Scenario 3 were later produced.