Jun 2020
Prepare your cursive script and hoard your spell books—Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia has returned to grace our screens. It’s the spiritual sequel to the 1998 tactical RPG, Brigandine: The Legend of Forsena. For those of you who are new to the fantasies of yore (you know, when consoles had less than 15 buttons), brace yourselves to don some armor (figuratively) and command dastardly armies. Grab your Switch, it's battlefield time!
The core gameplay is your classic turn-based strategy laid over a magic-infused tactical environment. Your mission? Choose one of six nations, each with their unique flair and shortcomings, and unite Runersia through all possible means—domination, diplomacy, or really bad dad jokes. Engage in pitched battles with your Rune Knights and their delightful monster companions across a variety of castle-filled territories—think chess but with 100% more fiery monsters. Your team is comprised of various troops managed by these Rune Knights; the key to every successful battle lies in the synergy between the knights and their enigmatic beasts. And don't worry about losing them too much—just like your weekend plans, they can always recover (with items, of course, not with time). Combat is decided through a turn-based mechanic aiming to crush your enemies or avoid embarrassingly quaint defenses. If you lose your Ruler, the game is all over; no pressure or anything. The seasons progress in a strategic two-phased cycle: the 'Organization Phase' sees you plotting your next grab for more land, while the 'Attack Phase' has you trying to keep your actual skin in the game. Each year in Runersia consists of 24 seasons; don't let the number of seasons fool you, time waits for no Tactician. On top of all that, the game provides a Challenge Mode. This isn't just a long copy-paste of the main campaign but a sand box for players to flex their tactical muscles. Unlocking new strategies to conquer effectively can be a wild ride that doesn't get dull, even if you spend that much time talking about the power of friendship.
Graphically, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is charmingly quaint. It utilizes the Unity engine, allowing for vibrant designs reminiscent of classic RPGs, though it sometimes dips into the realm of the slightly forgettable 3D model. Character art booms with detail, but you may find your eyeballs occasionally strained in battles of mass destruction. It’s a bit like that aunt we all have; sometimes chic, sometimes comically outdated, but always well-meaning. But fear not! The environments give off some serious fantasy vibes that keep the battles genuinely immersive.
In conclusion, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia invites aspiring strategy kings and queens to play a game of thrones—well, more like a game of castles. It successfully invokes nostalgia for the glory days of tactical gaming while also modernizing enough to hold its own among the fresh crop of games. There may be minor hiccups in graphics and mechanics, and battles can stretch out longer than a certain Netflix series, but the core substance remains; interesting strategies, distinctive characters, and a world to conquer! So grab your joystick, gather your beasts, and get ready for a reunion that’s more gratifying than any family gathering!
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