Play Shining Soul (E)(Patience) Online

Shining Soul came out for the Game Boy Advance in 2003, developed by Grasshopper Manufacture and published by Sega. It was part of that wave of action RPGs that really made the GBA library feel deep and varied, offering something a little different from the usual platformers and strategy titles.

You choose from one of several character classes, like a warrior or archer, and set out to clear screen by screen of monster filled dungeons. Your main goal is to defeat the forces of darkness by exploring labyrinthine floors, fighting enemies in real time combat, and hunting for better equipment. The pacing is brisk, with a steady difficulty that asks you to manage your health and resources carefully. It feels satisfying to carve through enemies and see what new weapon or piece of armor might drop next.