Sega has updated the official website for the newest addition to its Shining Force series of strategy RPGs. In addition to the three previously revealed characters, the website of the PlayStation 2 title now features more character illustrations by character designer Yuri Nishiyama. Graham and Mariel are centaurs, while Paron is a wolfman. They are joined by the tiny Chikiteeta, the grey-heard titan Rainos, the white dragon Doryu, the guardian Adam and the two partlings Krain and Fleia. The game will take players to Euclitos. Land of Thunder. Euclitos happens to be home country of the game's protagonist Max, who is staying in Rakyle, when monsters attack the fortress. During the ensuing battle a holy power named Force awakens within him. Since he has to be confirmed as a warrior possessing the power of the force, he returns to his hometown. Everybody is happy, except his mother Gaia. Max however opposes her strict attitude and heads for the Holy Land, to prove himself as a Knight of the Force. On his way a suspicious masked man appears in front of the protagonist, and Max ends up getting dragged into an epic struggle, a battle illustrating the world's crisis and the true power of the Force. The game's composer will be Shirou Sagisu, best known for his work on Gainax's Neon Genesis Evangelion. Sagisu will not only compose Shining Force's soundtrack, but also Shining Tears'.

The new Shining Force for PlayStation 2 will be available in Japan in spring 2005.

• Official Shining Force Website