《光明與黑暗續戰篇：眾神的遺產》是SEGA在1992年於Mega Drive推出的經典模擬角色扮演作品，也是早期「Shining」系列的重要基石。延續《Shining & the Darkness》的藝術風格與奇幻世界觀，但在玩法上大幅革新，將傳統RPG的劇情探索與戰棋式戰鬥完美融合，創造出當年主機平台極少見的全新模式。由Climax與Sonic團隊聯手開發，並由著名的高橋宏之擔任企劃與總監，無論音樂、角色設定或地圖設計，都呈現出濃厚的90年代SEGA奇幻美術特色，使其在眾多同類型遊戲中脫穎而出，成為Mega Drive玩家心目中的代表作之一。

故事背景設定在一個曾被黑暗龍「Dark Dragon」蹂躪而瀕臨崩潰的大陸。雖然千年前的封印避免災難重演，但時光流逝讓曾經的歷史逐漸被遺忘。某天，一名少年漂流至海岸，失去全部記憶，只記得自己的名字「馬克斯（Max）」。他被僧侶救起，並在和平的加迪亞納王國展開新的生活，在騎士團長巴里奧斯的指導下磨練武藝，逐漸展現出非凡的天賦。

然而平靜並未持續太久。大陸東方的魯恩法烏斯王國受到神祕軍師達克索爾（Darksol）的操縱，突然發動侵略，其目光直指加迪亞納境內的古代遺跡。馬克斯在調查命令中無意觸發兩國衝突，最終導致加迪亞納遭到攻擊，騎士團長戰死，象徵光明力量的神器「光之劍」（Chaos Breaker 的前身）也被敵軍奪走。隨著國家的陷落與命運的揭示，馬克斯終於理解自身肩負的使命，決定集結志同道合的仲間，組成「光之軍團」(Shining Force)，踏上橫跨各地的旅途。從人類王國、精靈森林、矮人礦坑，到古代遺跡與漂浮都市，故事最終將與魯恩法烏斯皇帝與達克索爾展開決戰，阻止黑暗龍再度復甦。結局更以壯烈又帶有謎團的方式收束，為後續作品留下震撼的伏筆。

在玩法上，將城鎮探索與策略戰鬥分為兩種明確的遊戲模式。在城鎮與世界地圖中自由行動，可與NPC交談、購買裝備、觸發劇情或發現隱藏角色；而每一段章節推進都必須透過戰棋式戰鬥完成，才會開啟後續的劇情。戰鬥採用回合制系統，角色按照速度依序行動，可在格狀地形中移動、攻擊或施放魔法，各職業與武器都有顯著差異。魔法更分四級，等級越高威力與範圍越大，但MP消耗也更驚人，使戰鬥需要持續思考風險與效益。

地形效果在本作中有相當重要的戰術地位。森林與山地雖可降低受到的物理傷害，但也會減少移動力；相反地，飛行系角色能無視地形自由行動，但同時無法享受任何防禦加成。當戰況不利時，主角還能施展「Return」魔法撤離戰場，保留累積的經驗值，得以重複挑戰，調整隊伍成長節奏。

角色的養成同樣充滿策略性。隊伍成員透過打倒敵人獲得經驗值，等級提高後能力便會提升。當達到10級後，可以前往教會進行轉職，變成更強的上級職業，能力與外觀都會大幅進化。不過轉職後等級會重置，初期能力甚至可能下降，因此「該何時轉職」成為資深玩家最愛討論的策略選項之一。

另一項受到熱烈讚譽的特色，是其龐大且多樣的可招募角色。遊戲中多達30名隊友可供加入，種族與職業類型包羅萬象，包括揮劍的主角、多用途的半人馬騎士、擁有爆發火力的法師、承擔隊伍治療的僧侶、進行遠距攻擊的弓箭手，甚至還有鳥人、狼人、魔法生命體與古代機械兵等奇幻設定。按照喜好組織自己的光之軍勢，不論是追求高機動性、專注魔法輸出，或以坦克與重砲構築穩定的火力線，都能打造出截然不同的遊玩風格。

在Mega Drive時代，本作被視為當之無愧的傳奇級SRPG。當年的遊戲評論普遍讚賞本作劇情流暢、角色鮮明、戰鬥深度足夠卻不失直覺操作，再加上迷人的音樂與在1992年堪稱高水準的戰鬥動畫，讓許多玩家深深沉浸於光之軍勢的冒險中。豐富的隱藏要素與多角色組合更大幅提高耐玩度，一玩就是數十小時仍意猶未盡。

隨後的系列作品《Shining Force II》《Shining Force III》都延續並進化這套系統，使其成為SEGA主機上最具代表性的戰略RPG系列之一。多年來，被多次被移植至Wii、iOS、3DS、Wii U等平台，並收錄於2019年的Mega Drive Mini，再次證明其在遊戲史上的不朽地位。

Shining Force: The Legacy of the Gods—later known internationally as Shining Force—is a 1992 strategic role-playing game released by SEGA for the Mega Drive, and one of the foundational works that defined the early “Shining” franchise. While inheriting the fantasy worldview and art direction of Shining & the Darkness, it dramatically transformed the gameplay. The title blends traditional RPG exploration with grid-based tactical combat, creating an innovative hybrid format that stood out sharply in the home-console market of its era. Developed jointly by Climax and Sonic! Software Planning under the direction of Hiroyuki Takahashi, the game features the distinct aesthetics of early-90s SEGA fantasy—from its music to character art and map design—becoming one of the most acclaimed strategy RPGs on the Mega Drive.

The story begins on a continent once ravaged by the Dark Dragon, a calamity sealed away by ancient heroes a thousand years earlier. As the seal weakens and legends fade from memory, a young man washes ashore with no memories except his name—Max. Rescued by a monk and taken in by the Kingdom of Guardiana, Max is raised and trained under the knight commander Varios, soon displaying exceptional talent that hints at a greater destiny.

Meanwhile, far to the east, the Kingdom of Runefaust falls under the influence of the sinister tactician Darksol, who manipulates the nation into launching an aggressive campaign of conquest. Their invasion leads them toward Guardiana’s ancient ruins—sites tied to the key needed to revive the Dark Dragon. When Max is ordered to investigate unusual activity near the ruins, his mission inadvertently triggers full-scale conflict. Guardiana falls under attack, Varios is killed in battle, and the kingdom’s sacred relic—precursor to the legendary Chaos Breaker—is stolen.

Stricken with loss yet awakened to a mission he does not fully understand, Max vows to lead a force capable of resisting Runefaust’s advance. Thus he forms the heroic troop known as the Shining Force, embarking on a journey across the continent to reclaim the relic, thwart Darksol’s schemes, and prevent the resurrection of the Dark Dragon. Their travels span human kingdoms, elven forests, dwarven mines, ancient technological ruins, and floating cities. The adventure eventually brings them face-to-face with Emperor Ramladu and Darksol themselves, culminating in a finale remembered for its emotional sacrifice and its enigmatic cliffhanger—one that set the stage for future installments.

The gameplay is built around two intertwined structures. Players freely explore towns and overworld maps, interact with NPCs, acquire equipment, and recruit hidden characters. Major plot progression, however, occurs through a chain of tactical battles. Each chapter revolves around one large-scale encounter, and victory opens the next segment of the adventure. Combat unfolds on grid-based maps in a turn-order determined by unit speed. Characters move across terrain and execute melee attacks, ranged attacks, or magic depending on their class and equipment. Magic is particularly impactful: each spell has four levels, increasing both its MP cost and its destructive potential, demanding constant evaluation of efficiency versus power.

Terrain plays a central role in tactics. Forests and mountains grant defensive bonuses but hinder movement, while flying units traverse any terrain freely yet cannot benefit from defensive terrain effects. Should a battle go poorly, Max can use his unique “Return” spell to retreat safely, preserving accumulated experience and allowing players to strengthen their army before attempting a battle again—forming a flexible, player-controlled difficulty curve.

Character growth is equally strategic. Leveling improves stats, and once characters reach level 10, they can be promoted to an advanced class at the church. Promotion resets their level and temporarily lowers stats, but ultimately unlocks far greater potential. The timing of this promotion becomes one of the most engaging optimization decisions for experienced players.

One of the game’s greatest strengths is its large, diverse cast of over thirty recruitable characters. Humans, centaurs, bird-men, wolves, elven mages, robots, living constructs, and tiny flying creatures each bring unique combat roles and growth patterns. Players can develop a magic-heavy army, a fast-moving strike force, a tank-oriented frontline, or a lineup dominated by archers and ranged units—the formation of the Shining Force becomes a personal expression of strategy.

Upon release, the game was widely praised and quickly established itself as one of the Mega Drive’s defining strategic RPGs. Critics at the time highlighted its brisk, engaging story, charismatic characters, intuitive controls, and surprisingly deep tactical systems. The visual presentation and animation were regarded as strikingly polished for a 1992 title, and the large number of recruitable characters and secrets contributed to exceptional replay value.

Its legacy endured long past its debut, influencing Shining Force II, Shining Force III, and SEGA’s broader direction in the tactics RPG genre. The title continued to attract new fans through ports on Wii, iOS, Nintendo 3DS, the Wii U Virtual Console, and its inclusion in the 2019 Mega Drive Mini. Today it remains not only a cornerstone of the Shining series, but one of the most beloved early console strategy RPGs ever made.