Shine and Scent

Start a new adventure.

NEW GAME required for this update. Shrine progression cleanup changed SaveBlock3 from 580 to 576 bytes. Earlier saves, including r1 saves, are incompatible. Keep old saves with their original ROM. Extract this ZIP into a new folder. Do not transfer old ordinary saves or save states.

Everything you need, in one package.

The ZIP includes the game, mGBA setup instructions, a general checklist and optional checks for previous findings.

1. Download and extract the ZIP into a folder on your computer.
2. Open START-HERE.txt or README.md. Install mGBA from the official downloads page.
3. In mGBA, choose File → Load ROM and open Shine-and-Scent-Playtest.gba. Press Enter at the title screen, then choose NEW GAME with X.

Play first. Share your impressions.

Note anything fun, confusing, awkward or broken. Send your findings, location and screenshots to your playtest coordinator. Save the optional retest checklist for later—it contains spoilers.

Explore wherever normal progression allows. This update revises rival teams and scenes, adds level-cap reminders, updates trainer and wild levels, reworks Clear Water Shrine, refines NPC movement and Villanueva’s Gym, and repairs Illusion captures and AI behavior. All previous changes are included. Ayla’s installed prototype remains unfinished. The ZIP includes setup instructions and an updated checklist.