{{Infobox video game | title = Shining in the Darkness | image = Shining in the Darkness Coverart.png |caption=North American box art by Greg Martin | developer = Climax EntertainmentSonic! Software Planning | publisher = Sega | director = Kan Naito | producer = Hiroyuki Takahashi | designer = | writer = Hiroyuki Takahashi | composer = Masahiko Yoshimura | engine = | series = Shining | platforms = Mega Drive/Genesis PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360 (part of Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection) | released = | genre = Role-playing game | modes = Single player }}Shining in the Darkness, released as in Japan, is a 1991 role-playing video game for the Mega Drive/Genesis video game console. It was one of the first role-playing games released for the system, and was the first in the Shining series. On August 13, 2007, the game was re-released on the Wii Virtual Console in North America and on September 7, 2007 the game was re-released in Europe. The game also appears in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, as well as Sega Mega Drive and Genesis Classics on PC. GameplayShining in the Darkness is a "dungeon-crawler" role-playing video game. The game puts the player in control of the main character and two friends (Pyra and Milo), as they explore 3D dungeon mazes with turn-based battles. The game consists of story line interaction, dungeon exploration, random monster fights, and predetermined 'boss' fights. The combat in this game operates similarly to role-playing video games of the era such as Dragon Quest (or, more specifically, Wizardry). Additionally, the dungeon contains three characters in need of rescue. Rescuing any or all of the three is optional, and the story changes depending on whether or not the player locates and returns each of these characters to safety. Another key innovation is its icon-based menu system. This is used for battles in dungeons, equipment management, and character interactions in town. PlotShining in the Darkness is set in the Kingdom of Thornwood. The king's daughter and the main character's father have vanished, while the evil sorcerer Dark Sol (not to be confused with his father, Shining Force villain Darksol) has appeared to threaten the kingdom. The main character is charged to find the Arms of Light, rescue the princess and his own father, and stop Dark Sol. In Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict, it was revealed Dark