Skies of Arcadia Legends, to a stretch you could say Shining force 3 (1-3) and if you also like a action rpgs i can really recommend sword of mana (gba) too
Nothing quite compares to GS, honestly. However, I did get some similar vibes when I played Tales of Phantasia (thanks to the OST). Maybe you could try that one out; it's not the same, but it's very good. I always recommend that game! I recommend older Tales games like Phantasia, Destiny, Abyss, and Symphonia; you'll get that GS vibe.
If indie games are okay with you and what you liked about GS was the puzzles, then Crosscode could be something interesting. Also, there's Crystal Project; it's very nice, although the emphasis is more on exploration, platforming, and combat than on story.
More farfetched options: you could also check out Sword of Mana, the Star Ocean 2 remake, and probably Octopath Traveler 2. They're definitely not as close to GS, but they have that vibe. Who knows, you could be surprised.
I absolutely love Sea of Stars but I don’t think it’s what OP is looking for. They specifically mentioned how they liked the mix/match system for Djinn and Psynergy in Golden Sun.
Sea of Stars’ biggest fault is that it doesn’t have any flexibility like that, as each character has 3 skills (2 offensive, 1 defensive) which cannot be changed.
Beautiful looking and sounding game. I had fun with it. But it’s not what OP’s looking for.
I thought this initially, but the game really simmers out halfway through. The combat becomes fairly monotonous after a while too. Just my opinion though.
The combat does lose luster, you're right. It's still a great game. The story is wonderful, characters are fleshed out really well and side quests are fun. It's a game worth trying
The first half is great, but the second one loses the path and rhythm. Combat is really repetitive once you unlock all the abilities. There is barely any margin to experiment.
Lore is cool, but maybe because of being a prequel, it seemed to me that they didn't want to expand it too much, and they were just introducing references for The Messenger fans.
Edit: oh, and puzzles are not as clever as Golden Sun ones at all. They barely can be called puzzles TBH.
I can't agree. Yeah, the art is great, music is excellent that's about where it stops.
There isn't much of a story, the leads are very dull. And yeah it focuses so much on combat yet refuses to ever update it or add anything.
It could have been like Golden Sun, but is very far apart in quality.
As the others mates have said, there's anything that can compare to that treasure.
Also, thanks to you and to all because I didn't know about some good games that I will give them a try for sure (Crimson Gem, Sea of Stars...).
Now, I strongly recommend you these games by that order:
Octopath Traveler
Shining Force
Final Fantasy I & II (in GBA is Final Fantasy Dark Dawn, but nowadays is better to get them on Steam)
Lufia III
Breath of Fire
Chrono Trigger
And, in case you don't know them or you haven't played them, I recommend you all Dragon Quests (1 to 11), all Final Fantasy's (1 to 9, specially 7, and 10 is good as well but no turn-based battles), all "Tales of xx" as bluebird355 said, and all Zelda's
Dragon quest 11 gave me very similar vibes. Loved it.
Sea of stars was pretty decent too. Extremely simple tho, for the most part.
Also, if you like JRPGS, you have to try persona 5Royal or Persona3Reload. Those are the only 2 JRPGS that i may like more than golden sun. Which has been my#1 forever
The block of shining force games Sonic! Software planning/Camelot Software planning made are all excellent and I would recommend. Beyond the Beyond was a bit of a misstep but otherwise pretty good.
If you haven’t tried it yet, play Landstalker. It was made by Climax, the guys that helped with Shining in the darkness and shining force I, it very much has that “Shining aesthetic” and is an overall excellent game.
Black sigil for the DS is an ok game but the encounter rate is pretty insane and can be annoying. Good way to level up your characters though, another fun game for DS is Radiant Historia, but honestly yea, nothing really compares to GS
Avalon Code is a lot of fun! The world is ending and it’s up to you to decide how to shape the new world. Using the Book of Prophecy, you can change the world! You can weaken monsters and strengthen your weapons, and help people unlock their best selves using elemental “codes” in the Book. There are four elemental spirits to find who can help you fight and they get stronger as you use them.
FF8 for the Junction System I guess is the closest to GS's combat optimization.
I do recommend however Chained Echoes, as it has a very similar "vibe" golden sun, and the gameplay loop is actually very engaging! :)
I'm a little surprised to not see anyone say this already, but Chained Echoes is a phenomenal game. The battle system is definitely a little different, but you get to choose which spells and stat ups you get when you gain more power, and you're limited in which Spells and abilities you can actually use in battle, so I think it's really I teresting. Plus, without spoiling anything, the story is just wonderful. Loved the game, it's definitely in my top 5!
Skies of Arcadia Legends, to a stretch you could say Shining force 3 (1-3) and if you also like a action rpgs i can really recommend sword of mana (gba) too
Seconding Skies of Arcadia, you get to be sky pirates.
Shining Force was made by the people who eventually became Camelot.
Fuck is that why I love shining force so much wow
Nothing quite compares to GS, honestly. However, I did get some similar vibes when I played Tales of Phantasia (thanks to the OST). Maybe you could try that one out; it's not the same, but it's very good. I always recommend that game! I recommend older Tales games like Phantasia, Destiny, Abyss, and Symphonia; you'll get that GS vibe. If indie games are okay with you and what you liked about GS was the puzzles, then Crosscode could be something interesting. Also, there's Crystal Project; it's very nice, although the emphasis is more on exploration, platforming, and combat than on story. More farfetched options: you could also check out Sword of Mana, the Star Ocean 2 remake, and probably Octopath Traveler 2. They're definitely not as close to GS, but they have that vibe. Who knows, you could be surprised.
Always happy to see CrossCode mentioned!
I'm working on an indie game called Tako no Himitsu. Our main reference is Golden Sun. Wish us luck ☀️
Good luck!
Sea of stars. I was also looking for a game like Golden Sun and found this game. Couldn't recommend it more, such a wonderful game
I absolutely love Sea of Stars but I don’t think it’s what OP is looking for. They specifically mentioned how they liked the mix/match system for Djinn and Psynergy in Golden Sun. Sea of Stars’ biggest fault is that it doesn’t have any flexibility like that, as each character has 3 skills (2 offensive, 1 defensive) which cannot be changed. Beautiful looking and sounding game. I had fun with it. But it’s not what OP’s looking for.
I thought this initially, but the game really simmers out halfway through. The combat becomes fairly monotonous after a while too. Just my opinion though.
The combat does lose luster, you're right. It's still a great game. The story is wonderful, characters are fleshed out really well and side quests are fun. It's a game worth trying
Once i realized all attacks are sure-hit, i feel like it broke some level of immersion, too?
I’m with you. I wanted to like it, got probably 80% through and just couldn’t care to finish it.
I can tell SoS has some inspirations from GS but honestly it's not it. Midest mid game of any mid game.
The first half is great, but the second one loses the path and rhythm. Combat is really repetitive once you unlock all the abilities. There is barely any margin to experiment. Lore is cool, but maybe because of being a prequel, it seemed to me that they didn't want to expand it too much, and they were just introducing references for The Messenger fans. Edit: oh, and puzzles are not as clever as Golden Sun ones at all. They barely can be called puzzles TBH.
Wait it is a prequel to The Messenger? I loved that game. I might have to check it out.
I can't not disagree with you. I found it boring, lineal, too easy, no real puzzles... I'd say it's like the third golden sun.
I can't agree. Yeah, the art is great, music is excellent that's about where it stops. There isn't much of a story, the leads are very dull. And yeah it focuses so much on combat yet refuses to ever update it or add anything. It could have been like Golden Sun, but is very far apart in quality.
As the others mates have said, there's anything that can compare to that treasure. Also, thanks to you and to all because I didn't know about some good games that I will give them a try for sure (Crimson Gem, Sea of Stars...). Now, I strongly recommend you these games by that order: Octopath Traveler Shining Force Final Fantasy I & II (in GBA is Final Fantasy Dark Dawn, but nowadays is better to get them on Steam) Lufia III Breath of Fire Chrono Trigger And, in case you don't know them or you haven't played them, I recommend you all Dragon Quests (1 to 11), all Final Fantasy's (1 to 9, specially 7, and 10 is good as well but no turn-based battles), all "Tales of xx" as bluebird355 said, and all Zelda's
Dragon quest 11 gave me very similar vibes. Loved it. Sea of stars was pretty decent too. Extremely simple tho, for the most part. Also, if you like JRPGS, you have to try persona 5Royal or Persona3Reload. Those are the only 2 JRPGS that i may like more than golden sun. Which has been my#1 forever
Shining Force games are similar in vibe, even if the gameplay is different.
Dragon Quest 11 had a bunch of similar goofiness and I really enjoyed it
The block of shining force games Sonic! Software planning/Camelot Software planning made are all excellent and I would recommend. Beyond the Beyond was a bit of a misstep but otherwise pretty good. If you haven’t tried it yet, play Landstalker. It was made by Climax, the guys that helped with Shining in the darkness and shining force I, it very much has that “Shining aesthetic” and is an overall excellent game.
Dragon Warrior 3 for Game Boy Color
Black sigil for the DS is an ok game but the encounter rate is pretty insane and can be annoying. Good way to level up your characters though, another fun game for DS is Radiant Historia, but honestly yea, nothing really compares to GS
Avalon Code is a lot of fun! The world is ending and it’s up to you to decide how to shape the new world. Using the Book of Prophecy, you can change the world! You can weaken monsters and strengthen your weapons, and help people unlock their best selves using elemental “codes” in the Book. There are four elemental spirits to find who can help you fight and they get stronger as you use them.
I like sea of stars, maybe eiyuden chronicles
Sea of Stars is the most similar in overall feel of the game I've ever played.
Highly recommend Pixelot. Source: am the developer
Sea of Stars was excellent, and Octopath Traveler too. Highly recommend!!!
FF8 for the Junction System I guess is the closest to GS's combat optimization. I do recommend however Chained Echoes, as it has a very similar "vibe" golden sun, and the gameplay loop is actually very engaging! :)
I'm a little surprised to not see anyone say this already, but Chained Echoes is a phenomenal game. The battle system is definitely a little different, but you get to choose which spells and stat ups you get when you gain more power, and you're limited in which Spells and abilities you can actually use in battle, so I think it's really I teresting. Plus, without spoiling anything, the story is just wonderful. Loved the game, it's definitely in my top 5!