Sega Shining Hearts Neris & Aerie

Oh, Shining Hearts! This is the latest installation in the 'Shining Series' by video game publisher Sega. I remember playing Shining Force on my Sega Game Gear back in the day. (Yes, I am older than 30 and a video game otaku as well as a DD fanatic.) At any rate, the video game series is generally known for it's 'turn based strategy' and light character interaction though a lot has changed in the recent release for the PSP which stars Neris and Aerie.

Shining_Hearts_Cover by dollflip, on Flickr

 

Check out the super rad Shining Hearts opening sequence here: http://youtu.be/9mxx7nVCCUo

 

Official Shining Hearts Website (Japanese): http://shining-world.jp/hearts/

 

In addition to overhauled graphics, Shining Hearts (both published and developed by) Sega has upped the ante by introducing a MOE system. Now we all know what moe means generally (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moe_(slang)) but in this case it stands for 'MIND OVER EMOTION' which essentially = dating sim heart system. Basically the hearts you earn with different characters within the game equate to different outcomes within your storyline. Better explanation:

 

One method for collecting Hearts is through the MOE (Mind Over Emotion) System. During conversation, the player will occasionally be allowed to select a response under constraint of time. Depending on the player's selection, the conversation partner will release Hearts indicating their reaction. Their favor for the main character will change accordingly.

2132423159 by dollflip, on Flickr *

 

There's more than one MOE System in the game, and one of them being the "Battle MOE" System.

Battle MOE is a group attack system. Every now and then, the player will be given the chance of pairing up with one of the battle members for a group attack. Depending on the selections, the player will get different moves. Some group attacks result in heal spells, some in group attacks, etc.

 

The feelings of the party members towards the main character will change during combat. The character that the player selects to perform the team attack will be more pleased with the main character and will release Red Hearts, indicating happiness. The characters who doesn't get picked will be angry and will release Blue Hearts, indicating sadness.

screen 2 by dollflip, on Flickr*

 

I would love to play this game! I love dating sims though so there you go. Aerie and Neris are "sisters who work with Rick(protagonist) in the bakery and each have their own unique baking abilities." I think this explains their eyes being the same make and color despite their other physical characteristics being very different!

 

Shining Hearts Plot Synopsis:

 

Story One day, a mysterious girl named Kaguya was washed ashore the island of Wyndaria after a great storm. She encounters Rick, a swordsman who wound up working at the island's bakery. Apparently, Kaguya is suffering from having lost her memories and emotions. In addition, the usually peaceful Wyndaria is now swarming with pirates who came seeking for the special spirit stone that is worn around Kaguya's neck. Knowing the situation, Rick and his co-workers, Neris, Amyl, and Aerie decided to bring back peace to island and help Kaguya regain her lost memories and emotions.

 

 

More Information:

 

Shining Hearts on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shining_Hearts

 

Shining Hearts on andriasang

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/08/05/shining_hearts/

 

Shining Hearts MOE System on andriasang:

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/08/19/shining_hearts_moe_system/

 

As always please add any information you may have! I've not played the game so... come on in, the water's fine~ ^^

 

*image credits to andriasang.com & wikipedia

Edited April 22, 2011 by Guest

I really hope this game gets a US release at some point. (Or at least an English international version, since there's no region locking on the PSP.)

 

I'm in love with the character designs, so I'd really like to know more about the plot and characters. Aside from Neris/Nellis, I really like the look of Xiao-Mei, since I've got a stupid cat-ear weakness. If they do a DD of her, I'm screwed.

I really hope this game gets a US release at some point. (Or at least an English international version, since there's no region locking on the PSP.)

 

I'm in love with the character designs, so I'd really like to know more about the plot and characters. Aside from Neris/Nellis, I really like the look of Xiao-Mei, since I've got a stupid cat-ear weakness. If they do a DD of her, I'm screwed.

 

 

Bwahahahahahaah! Mainly at the 'I'm screwed' part because I always feel that way when they announce new DDs until I can convince myself I don't *need* them. What's worse is knowing how much you love a doll long after the release when you have no hope of acquiring said doll. I'm always the kind to go soft after seeing other people's photostories and/or watching series with the characters.

 

Yeah, I'd love to see this game come stateside but J-rpg strategy is kind of a hard genre to sell here? Dating sims in general seem to be a 'no-no' despite their super high production values- even the non r-rated content ones. I'll keep hoping and with more games coming over like Deathsmiles, Ar tonelico and a few others I can't think of at the moment... there's definitely more titles of that kind than ever before.

They brought over Shining Wind and it did OK, but none since then. I don't have much hope, although because it's a PSP game, I could see them releasing it as a download-only title. They've actually been releasing a lot of Japanese games that way lately.

 

Actually, I was looking at characters earlier, and the one that would REALLY get me is this. I guess her name is Lona.

Ooooo! HAWT Kitsune! Very nice! But most of Tony's designs are nice.... he is so the man....

 

 

Billy

Ooooo! HAWT Kitsune! Very nice! But most of Tony's designs are nice.... he is so the man....

 

 

Billy

 

 

Not just hot Kitsune.... she's in a maid outfit. It's like the culmination of fantasy fetishes.

 

^^;;;;;;;;

Kitsune ninja maid!

I saw her when I was looking up more info on the game. That is one DD I would definitely not be able to resist

The game itself sounds pretty interesting, I like the mix of RPG and dating sim. Though I can only hope this means they'll go a bit more mainstream and do some Persona DD...

I would absolutely have to get Lona if they were releasing her!

Shining Force 1 and 2 are a big part of why I still have a Sega Genesis! I played 3 on Saturn too, but haven't played any of the other games. Sega's Valkyria Chronicles has been doing pretty well, hasn't it?

 

Lona is quite cool! I'm safe though, so long as they don't do Xecty Ein...

Volks hasn't done an elf-ear girl. I would love to see one.

Better pictures from the DD blog:

 

 

 

 

Do you think the eyes look like in the game?

Thank you for the better pictures!

 

Yes, they sort of do? Not in terms of color per se but the 'one tone' look is kind of similar. They look a bit empty to me. I do have to say Neris is super sexy in that top! She is very cute.

 

I'm not a huge fan of the eyes in these girls but they are definitely unique. Due to the fact I don't LOVE them in pictures, I am guessing I will ADORE them in person. ^^;;;

You're probably right about the eyes looking much better in person. Beato's got very similar ones so I guess I'll see how they are when she comes. They do photograph somewhat strangely.

I figured I'd post this here. I made a post on my blog about Airy and Neris and also included some audio files of their voices from the game if anybody is interested in hearing them.

 

http://otakudepot.com/blog/2011/04/13/dolpa-25-radar-locked-airy-and-neris/

(near the bottom of the post)

 

Both characters are voiced by the same seiyu but it's interesting to hear their "character" she puts into them.

 

Thankfully I've secured the funds to be able to go for both girls. Now I just need to have the luck in the lottery.

 

 

**James

I wish you all the luck possible James! I do hope you can secure both of them!

 

 

 

Billy

That's awesome, OtakuDepot! Thank you!

 

I like Airy's track 3 which is something like "if you look at a sister in an ecchi way, then you will receive divine punishment." Then why is her dress so short?

 

Neris almost has more sweetness to her.

Good luck!

That's awesome, OtakuDepot! Thank you!

 

I like Airy's track 3 which is something like "if you look at a sister in an ecchi way, then you will receive divine punishment." Then why is her dress so short?

 

Neris almost has more sweetness to her.

HAHA - that ones my favorite as well. I love the expression that Airy has in her line.

 

Thanks Baldylox and Halcyon! I've been lucky now with Volks lottery, I'm 2 for 2 so far.

 

 

**James.

HAHA - that ones my favorite as well. I love the expression that Airy has in her line.

 

Thanks Baldylox and Halcyon! I've been lucky now with Volks lottery, I'm 2 for 2 so far.

 

 

**James.

 

Don't jinx yourself!! >_<*

 

I wish you all the luck! Hope you win ^_^

Hopefully the "Law of Three's" will kick in for James.

 

It seems everything I deal with comes in threes. If it's good or bad, it's still in three's. SO I am pretty sure he will be able to add both girls to his family this time around. Now *next* time, that one is up in the air.

 

 

Billy

Don't jinx yourself!! >_<*

 

I wish you all the luck! Hope you win ^_^

 

 

Thanks!!! I'm hoping that because I work where I do - that I've used up all my "bad karma" and I'll be sure to win both girls.

 

Hopefully the "Law of Three's" will kick in for James.

 

It seems everything I deal with comes in threes. If it's good or bad, it's still in three's. SO I am pretty sure he will be able to add both girls to his family this time around. Now *next* time, that one is up in the air.

 

 

Billy

 

Hmmm, so I should win one but maybe not both? Oh, I hope not.. I'll have to start helping little old ladies across the street to build up the good karma.

 

**James

Volks hasn't done an elf-ear girl. I would love to see one.

Agreed, I'd roll over and give them my money stat.

Hopefully the "Law of Three's" will kick in for James.

 

It seems everything I deal with comes in threes. If it's good or bad, it's still in three's. SO I am pretty sure he will be able to add both girls to his family this time around. Now *next* time, that one is up in the air.

 

 

Billy

 

I was reading this post again and now that the Volks USA lottery ended I can say you were absolutely correct! I got my 3rd lottery girl as I secured Airy. But I didn't get Neris.

 

I guess I had my 3 in a row and fate said that's enough for now. hehe

Still waiting on the international lottery results though.

 

**James.

Good luck, OtakuDepot! Does this mean tat the threes start up again and you will get the next three girls in a row and then lose one after that?

Hopefully the "Law of Three's" will kick in for James.

 

It seems everything I deal with comes in threes. If it's good or bad, it's still in three's. SO I am pretty sure he will be able to add both girls to his family this time around. Now *next* time, that one is up in the air.

 

 

Billy

 

I was reading this post again and now that the Volks USA lottery ended I can say you were absolutely correct! I got my 3rd lottery girl as I secured Airy. But I didn't get Neris.

 

I guess I had my 3 in a row and fate said that's enough for now. hehe

Still waiting on the international lottery results though.

 

**James.

 

 

Not exactly what I was hoping for tho. I meant since you were ordering them together, you'd get them together too. Looks like the Baldylox Jinx is kicking in. Damn...

 

Billy