Shining in the Darkness and Shining The Holy Ark - The Origins of Shining AND Golden Sun

[@ZappBranniglenn]

Studying to make Sonic games, deciding to pivot to dungeon crawlers as your first game, three or four more flavors of RPG, and finally living the rest of your existence making Mario Sports games. But hey, does your job have anything to do with your college degree?

[@maraganger]

Strangely enough, this video is probably the perfect companion piece to your old Golden Sun videos. This time with the added context of Camelot's creation, you went above and beyond on this one. B)

[@GenmaTheSamurai]

I've been recommending this to GS fans for a while. That said yeah worth mentioning that this game's plot is partially to set up Shining Force III where pretty much all of these ideas are way more fleshed out story-wise. You get added context on the creator, thousand-year kingdom, Vandals, Innovators, and the Holy Ark itself. It doesn't do that perfectly but they really created a well fleshed out world in this Saturn saga. Definitely recommend it.

[@exidy-yt]

Let me just state that Shining the Holy Ark has THE most badass combat theme of it's generation. It's absolutely kickass and takes a LONG time of grinding before you get tired of it. (Xenogears gets the best boss battle theme of this generation.)

[@spugediwestern78]

I wanna see another rpg like Ultima 4. No bad guy, just you going around being a wholesome, honorable person and setting a good example for the world.

[@schmecklin377]

Crpgs like Arcanum or Fallout 2 are nice because you either just do that or be the most evil bastard ever

[@hugoj.r.8684]

@@schmecklin377 but they have nada guy

[@Zeratul1005]

What a day to see my favourite reviewer Kbash talkin about a game connected to Golden Sun!

[@HeadmasterAutobot]

KBash: "We don't need an inquiry into JRPG towns" Hazel: "Hold my beer"

[@MiloKuroshiro]

Hazel and Thorhighheels: ✋

[@Lonewulf321]

Based video trifecta

[@SuperZedario]

I can't say exactly why, maybe it's the sum of it's parts rather than anything individually, but I feel like this is a great improvement to your format. Great work Kbash.

[@Undeadspelldragon]

Oh my God, this is so good. My gf and I beat holy ark a year or two back, and both commented on the similarities to Golden Sun

[@TheSkyfolk]

You know I was just reading a book, and, at risk of giving away too much of my favourite fantasy book series... The death gate cycle (by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman) handles the whole "heroes bettering society instead of fighting evil" angle really well, at least for a short time. Spoilers ahead for one of the later books. So basically, the heroes of the story end up having to fight beings that represent pure chaos and evil, and instead of directly fighting them to defeat them, what actually drives the evil away is the betterment of society and establishment of peace. It's simple, it's cheesy at times, but it's so fucking compelling.

[@Ponaru]

I really need to get back to the Death Gate Cycle. I got distracted after Fire Sea...and that was a decade ago.

[@ruzinus_]

Refuses to do Shining Force, does the First Person RPGs instead... what a mad man.

[@blackdragoncyrus]

Shining in the Darkness is great. Shining Force is one the first video games I ever played, and SF2 is one of my favourite games of all time. It's a shame that Shining Force is just generic JRPGs now, instead of turn based strategy. Same with Phantasy Star, people just think of PSO now, while gems like PSIV gets overlooked.

[@hyperfixatedd]

You're a smart guy, KBash Great video, really like the quick class analysis

[@NightFlyStudio]

It's a shame that the Camelot that once loved creating all sorts of amazing RPGs is now reduced to making Mario Sports sequels year after year. I'm sure it's more of a stable source of income for them and it keeps them afloat but man, I wish they'd make at least a new Golden Sun or just a new RPG in general.

[@hacksawDDS]

With all these HD2D remasters coming out, I’d kill just for a remaster of the first two games. Such a shame Camelot dropped out of the RPG game.

[@orangeslash1667]

@@hacksawDDS I recommend Unicorn Overlord, its strategy RPG published by Sega.

[@legocyd1999]

"grab the rose, take five piercing damage" I love you, you absolute madman.

[@eldontyrell4361]

I love first person grid based dungeon crawlers. Shining in the Darkness and D&D warriors of the eternal sun on Mega drive, Holy Ark on Saturn, Shin Megami Tensei Soul Hackers and Strange Journey Redux and also The Keep on 3DS, Dungeon Master on SNES (yes I actually got sucked into this version a few months ago, not bad!!), Grimrock 1 and 2 and The Quest on PC, it just doesn’t get better than this! Best RPG genre, other than grid based strategy.

[@dondowner8264]

I still remember your Golden Sun videos. Among the ocean of 10/10 reviews, you're the only one who actually critiqued GS. I've beaten the games a few times and never noticed those flaws and you made it hilarious 😂 so keep KBash'ing!

[@Facesforce]

It's on switch as well via the Genesis classics game. If you're a fan of shining or phantasy star, that collection is worth it just for Shining in the Darkness, Shining Force 1+2 and three of the phantasy star games.

[@hemangchauhan2864]

Finally someone accurately covered Ark

[@fagarou]

What I love about the decision to switch to Vandals instead of "demons" (in SF1 through 2) is that it change nothing to the narrative. It feels like an edgy writer that think using demons as bad guys is childish and so make up a new version that is totally not the same thing guys. Don't know if you ever plan on doing the shining force series itself but it's also worth noting that an another clue as to who wrote StHA is that there are direct references to it in SF3 with one of the heroes being a kid in this game, Galm the vampire looking dude being a boss fight while giving major Alex vibes (using both side to shady but never explained ends) and one of the playable character supposed to be one of the fairies you collected. Shoutout to Wolfgangarchive for the maps !

[@mewtlyon5492]

The joke about the high pitched music really got me! XD

[@kalackninja]

just because the parasite ruling class is automatically corrupt doesn't mean that people themselves are not the ones being corrupt as well. Though massive movements to undermine the working class (movements i think you'd disagree with) are also demonstrable and have an effect. An extremely nuanced discussion to be sure but i think only throwing blame on the obviously evil ruling class is short sighted, at least a little bit.

[@derekr.8590]

I audibly scoffed at KBash's discussion about class around 22:45. Not for the statements themselves but in relation to The Holy Arc's story. Corrupt ruling classes are a very basic world building structure in many video game stories: evil kings, aristocrats, etc. Then KBash tops himself around 24:11: "I like games like this for never being mad at God. Ever." My brother in Christ, I *know* you've played many JRPG's. Killing God or the equivalent is a genre cliché. I don't understand people who demand nuance in storytelling when they themselves have a very rigid idea how how the world works.

[@kloa4219]

I don't disagree with him, but I know that it's a belief that people constantly drop if it's directed at groups that they don't like. Otherwise, we wouldn't have large support for sanctions that a ruling class can avoid as laymen starve impoverished. Whether people would like to admit it or not, they will always salivate at hurting the uninvolved for the actions of one leader.

[@geovaughan8261]

“…a more compelling story where the heroes try to help society instead of beating up ‘the evils’…” Ah, yes, Ultima IV was an awesome game, wasn’t it?

[@WillyLee23]

Shining the Holy Ark was the first shining game I ever beat. Nice video.

[@WickedKnightAlbel]

I seriously cannot believe how great your writing is

[@LevinSety]

A+ video, loved every second!

[@dotgif397]

PRE-EMPTED! Very interesting that Camelot has a demonstrated pattern of abuse, maybe one day Mr. Camelot will face justice for his crime

[@RyanBeardy]

Great video! I just recently played through the first Phantasy Star so it's cool to hear about Sega's other JRPGs released around the time!

[@blueythedragonknight3949]

The thing that always got me about Shining The Holy Ark (and Camelot RPG's as a whole) is how stuff never really got explained, Especially the stuff that didn't get xplained in Shining Force 3. I also realise that this game's story is way more disjointed than i remember. Also i never really realised the balancing issues up the wazoo, Like Doyle being OP for like 2-3 dungeons, Only for Basso to outshine the moment he get's the Dragon Axe. As a whole party members have varying degrees of usefulness throughout the game, Like the ninja's not getting any good weapons for a good stretch of the game until the final dungeon or how Forte is obsolete the moment he joins and of course Buffs and AoE healing ae locked behind characters and promotions.

[@ShadowWolfRising]

Galm looks like that one vampire from Blood Omen.

[@spookypineapple]

Damn Kbash that hair looking SILKY SMOOTH

[@hacksawDDS]

I’m a simple man, I see “Golden Sun” and I click.

[@Kloqdq]

Ouuuu that ending line was pretty fire there Kbash. Keep up the good work and making banger video after banger video!

[@InfernoXB]

The editing in this video is great!

[@Iron-Van]

I never noticed as a younger version of me, that the roof and floor didn't actually move. Now I cant unsee it. lol

[@Kyleology]

I just wanted to say I love your voice work for the Muppets.

[@teh1archon]

I always watch the credits for "simp god" even though it's not even me :)

[@PICADALOL]

Great video as always Kbash!

[@GeorgisTrying]

The 2 minute monologue at the end over story and writing flaws that Golden Sun has is by far my favorite KBash moment in any of these videos. It isn't there to knock against Golden Sun, it's genuine criticism from someone with the perception, and now, the ability to name the flaws.

[@Yanomeko1]

In random wall, a prophecy foretold I'd like this video and post this very comment.

[@slimeprivilege]

15:25 the way you pronounce mythril is really interesting. thanks for another banger vid kbash!

[@t4washere384]

Funny how some of the dungeon crawling tropes that makes RPGs in general a pain to play goes back all the way to the paper and pen days of Dungeons and Dragons.

[@newbrowny]

Damn kbash, I wish i couldve seen you play through shining the holy ark. That game was so intriguing and this is probably one of my favorite of your videos.

[@attackofthecopyrightbots]

no question mark needed, I know that camelot made golden sun

[@Jeff_Jaguar]

My favorite part of every kbash video is "CAN I CUSS ON HERE?"

[@jeremygregorio7472]

The Saturn had built-in memory and came with a game. With the PlayStation by the time you bought a game and a memory card you were paying the same price or within 10 or $20

[@DonutSwordsman]

You putting a warning makes you a great guy and chad. I hate it when people don't give warnings for obviously hardcore flashing.

[@pisssommelier768]

Go seize

[@jaycenteno8385]

Im always up for some Shining love! :)

[@FallenKnightZephyr]

Your videos really are a fantastic thing

[@redriver5987]

15:58 Sounds more like a... *puts on glasses* skill issue 😎👌 Jk, also great video!

[@fufzooz]

The first Shining game is unplayable for me so thanks for this great video

[@zeroescape]

Awesome, I've been hoping you'd talk about Shining for a while, the original Shining Force games were super formative for me

[@sploonz]

Would love to see an Odin sphere review

[@wraith.ferron]

A vid on Shining Force. This'll be intetesting. ... Oh, Shining in the Darkness and Shining the Holy Ark? Oh, God. Why?

[@fivespot83s24]

Landstalker was also intended to be part of the Shining universe, maybe before Climax Entertainment split from Sonic Software Planning? Kayla's henchmen, Wally and Ink are monsters from Shining in the Darkness, a Chestbeak and a Kromeball respectively.

[@soakedbearrd]

I love shining in darkness, shining force and shining force . Never played holy arch.

[@culIen]

I'll comment for the numbers. Very cool.

[@hemangchauhan2864]

4:40 I audible chuckled

[@napkin8920]

accidentally decided to rewatch your entire golden sun series at the perfect time to follow up with this video??

[@afdlink]

Your mario censorship still makes me smile. "TF was that edit...? Oh right is KBASH's utter bullsh[waaaaaahhhh]" keep at it.

[@GreatScooty]

Honestly I love their work with the Mario sports games

[@devinsapelli3814]

I love when you talk rpgs lol

[@danieldorvil7683]

Thx Kbash

[@arcuscotangens]

Congrats on being apparently sponsored by Brianna Wu!

[@briannawu6180]

I’ve never played any of these. I need to.

[@hacksawDDS]

Golden Sun is the series that literally got me into RPG’s as a kid. You should definitely at least give the first one a shot!

[@orangeslash1667]

I recommend Unicorn Overlord, its strategy RPG published by Sega.

[@Sednars]

This is depressing, there never was a Good Start for Camelot... Still the Dungeon Crawling seemed interesting.

[@CRedd9830]

What does this mean?? Good start in regards to start of a story arc spanning multiple games????

[@DeadEye935]

I think your Golden Sun videos kinda made me a bit defensive towards them, and unwilling to consider your point, but with this video, I can see a lot more of your issues in the writing. It definitely feels like there's a potentially more interesting story that could've been told with what we were given Maybe Saturos and Menardi didn't have to act almost comically evil even though they were ostensibly fighting for good. Characters don't really go through meaningful development Still, you did hit on why love for the games persists. I still also think it has some of the most fun puzzle dungeons in RPGs. Honestly, they're what keeps me coming back. Golden Sun is some fine ass RPG food when you're trekking through them

[@Abearnamedfrederick]

Damn I'm in really early, Thanks Kbash!

[@Kimosabes2hot]

The notification squad: Whomst'd've?

[@opaljk4835]

Oh man, you got pretty far without collecting very many pixies in holy ark. Those really cut the length of random encounters down once you learn how to use them I really didn’t do any grinding outside of what happens you would normally encounter in the dungeons. It’s really tough, but idk. Eventually that mithril claw fucking kills

[@ronsilk6212]

the sega Saturn was $399 but came with 2 controller and a game. the ps1 you had to buy a memory card and a game to play so the Saturn was a better deal in a way.

[@NeutralAtJSP]

There's a secret cutacene with Elize and Galm at the end of Shining Force 3, it's hella booky and a shame the idea never got worked on

[@wiiseeyou]

I think you will get a kick out of playing Dragon Quest 9. I love that games class system and ability to gain constraint buffs to your characters, through the skill tree system. If you ever play it, you pretty much have to change classes and do some metal slime grinding to gain class levels and easy to get skill points. If you don't, the game becomes very frustrating.

[@oteromason]

i see golden sun, i click

[@ShadowWolfRising]

..........Man I hate that Tony Taka took over Shining. How lazy he has been with it. The society becoming corrupt and thus being destroyed seems less like a theological view, and more a very Japanese mindset on society. K-Bash, I REALLY hope you finish up the Shining Series for these videos.

[@Wombola]

Gr8 vid kbash

[@kooshkaboose]

"use debuffs on bosses" yea i read something similar back in the day. didnt work on my saturn either. 🤷

[@PattPlays]

kbash ve like: "you can't leave a hatw comment after I hit you with the ppetry-into-mic-drop combo !"

[@Plazoblock12]

Based materialistic class analysis review

[@EezhamDemon]

Great work as always. Never heard of this series or the company before. Really liked the part on human nature. I was very much in that mindset post-highschool when I was enraged with the world's problems and would blame it on inherent greed. Understanding how economic and social systems impact society makes you more optimistic about changing the world positively. We'll get there, it's just a matter of when.

[@deadbeatSad]

Im glad simp GOD is still here but I miss OOGA BOOGA

[@blackdragoncyrus]

Please play the Trails series.

[@thelaughingdragon32]

Not the Crabs!!!

[@vforvinico]

Hey KBash, have you played Vagrant Story? It would be a very good idea for a video!

[@riokan6596]

now I miss golden sun

[@yurianonio9410]

The fated return

[@diamondhamster4320]

Grimlock 1 and 2.

[@vodkaffee4856]

i found my old 100% save game for GS1 the other day, is just 6 jpgs

[@shinigami9851]

Hey You think you can do the yakuza games someday? I recommend starting with 7 since it’s technically a soft reboot and you don’t need to play the first 7 mainline game’s to know whats going on in 7.

[@zevzero]

A new video on a Saturday!?!

[@Mepharius]

i wonder if Kbash will look into the Ys series one day?

[@evandigga]

Did the intro of Holy Ark inspire the author of Inuyashiki? Aliens crashing into the protagonists and fixing them out of remorse? Even if nothing else is similar, now everyone can just play Shining the Holy Ark instead of reading/watching Inuyashiki

[@bajra79]

Whoah

[@Purulixir]

What a wonderful day to watch kbash at 12 am : D

[@fartguy69]

Thank you for this video, now I don't have to force myself to finish this game. Also appreciate your class analysis of the plot and Mog doll. Love the character designs and graphics in general in this game, I really hope camelot makes another RPG someday.

[@bortobor7]

Dungeon design pretty sus at 12:09

[@ptolemy3257]

Love your stuff!

[@eldontyrell4361]

Sucks that this series is dead. Also sucks that Shin Meganj Tensei has also abandoned first person dungeon crawling.

[@SkulloMad]

KBash Destroy's the Shining series with facts and logic

[@Smolharuharu]

Actually it was a mistranslation