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 Shining News Shining Tears goodies & information
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My apologies for the lateness of this news - my other half was off work sick at the end of the week and as such I didn't get online for a few days - during which time, it would seem that Sega Japan updated their Shining Tears site with some new information and pictures.
Apparently, to celebrate the launch of Shining Tears on November 3rd, Akihabara stores in Japan will be running a little prize draw in-store. Those who purchase the game will be allowed to draw a ticket and if they win they may win various goodies, including autographed artworks by Tony (the game's artist) himself.
Pictures of the prizes can be seen here. There are three hand-drawn illustrations, five autographed pictures, 50 'QUO' telephone cards (looks like the Sega Direct one available at the SF Remake's launch, but seems to be a 500 unit version), 500 clear files and 1,000 PS2 memory card stickers (these seem to be on first-come first-served basis).
Lucky people, I wish I could have a chance at those treats, but doubtless we elsewhere in the world won't be offered anything of the sort by our local stores or Sega.
Meanwhile, those lovely phonecards I reported on recently are starting to appear on the Yahoo! Japan auctions, selling for around US$60 each in price. I somehow don't think I'll be getting all 8, if any... unless we have any very wealthy and generous visitors here at SFC, with a PayPal account 
More gameplay info has also been added, regarding the freeplay and 2 player modes. The freeplay section mentions something about a magic mirror at the 'hero cottage', which Pios tells Xion is somehow connected to a strange world. Apparently if Xion passes through the mirror he becomes engulfed in a strange fog, as shown in the pictures here. At this point, Xion is in freeplay mode, allowing him to re-battle areas already passed, to increase his (or his partners') experience and collect addition items. The story does not advance in this mode, but will resume when he returns to normal play.
Apparently, in 2 player mode, both may play as the same character if desired - pictures are shown of Ryuna and Elwing, in different colour schemes for the 2 players. Players can trade items, and it would seem that as in freeplay mode, the story doesn't advance, this is simply an extra gameplay mode for enjoyment. While in singleplayer mode only the partner fighter's link attacks can be used, 2 player mode gives more possibilities for co-op attacks to be used and even invented. That's if Babelfish hasn't let me down, of course
Finally, a new section has been added to the characters page, detailing the Bestia force - presumably the enemy from the looks of things, and designed by Salamander Factory (of Shining Soul 1 & 2). All beastmen (hence 'Bestia'), the characters include Dain (uncertain of his race), Byakko (a white tigerman), Buraaha (seems to be a warthog/boarman), Ezekiel (a goatman), Diokuresu (Dioclese, a lionman), Bakuuto (a dark-looking birdman), and finally - here's the real confusing bit for us Shining Chronologists! - a centaur named Arthur. Yup, he's blonde and very much resembles our dear Arthur from throughout the series. What's going on here then?!
Now, in SFC news, sorry for the delay in getting the SFIII Sc3 scripts up last week, and also the complete SW USA script. I should have time to add them this week, now most of the upheaval in our home is finished for the time being I'd do it now, but Lee's off work again and is doing a bit of work on the new version of Tatakai! Yay! Oh, and the contest winner will be announced here this week, along with the launch of a new contest  Good luck!
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 Posted: Monday, 25th October 2004 ~ 10:30GMT by Moogie
Sources: Sega Japan's Shining Tears Site
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