Game: Brigandine| Release: October 31st, 1998| Genre: Turn Based Strategy| Publisher: Atlus| Developer: Hearty Robin
Brigandine is a tactical role-playing game developed by Hearty Robin and published by Atlus for the PlayStation console in 1998. The game takes place in the fictional world of Forsena, where six different nations compete for control of the continent.
The gameplay of Brigandine involves players choosing a nation and managing their armies, which consists of various units such as knights, archers, and mages. Players must navigate a hex-based map and engage in battles with enemy armies to conquer territories and expand their kingdom. The game also features a complex magic system, where players can research and cast spells to gain the upper hand in battles.
One of the strengths of Brigandine is its deep and complex gameplay mechanics. The game offers a wide variety of units and spells for players to choose from, allowing for a high level of strategic depth. Additionally, the game features a branching story that changes depending on the player’s actions, providing replay value.
However, Brigandine is not without its flaws. The game’s graphics and sound are fairly dated, even for a PlayStation title, and may not appeal to modern audiences. Additionally, the game’s pacing can be slow at times, with battles often taking a long time to resolve.
Despite its flaws, Brigandine is considered a classic of the tactical RPG genre, and is highly regarded by fans of the genre. Its deep gameplay mechanics and branching story make it a must-play for fans of strategy games, even if its graphics and sound may be lacking by modern standards.
Brigandine Gameplay
Brigandine’s gameplay offers a high level of strategic depth that is sure to satisfy fans of tactical RPGs. Players are given the freedom to choose from a wide variety of units and spells, allowing for a high level of customization and strategic planning.
The hex-based map adds an additional layer of strategy, as players must consider terrain and unit placement when engaging in battles. The game’s magic system is also a highlight, with players able to research and cast a variety of spells that can turn the tide of battle.
However, the game’s pacing can be slow at times, with battles often taking a long time to resolve. Additionally, the game can be punishingly difficult, which may be off-putting to some players.
Overall, Brigandine’s gameplay is deep, complex, and highly engaging, offering a level of strategy rarely seen in other games of its era. The slow pacing and high difficulty may be a turnoff for some players, but those who enjoy a challenging, strategy-focused experience will find a lot to love here.
Rating: 8/10.
Brigandine Story
Brigandine’s story is a complex and engaging tale of political intrigue and warfare, set in the fictional world of Forsena. Players take on the role of a ruler of one of six nations vying for control of the continent, each with their own unique backstory and motivations.
The game features a branching story that changes depending on the player’s actions, providing a high level of replay value. The narrative is well-written and features a large cast of characters, each with their own personality and motivations. The game’s lore is also well-developed, with a rich history and mythology that adds depth to the game’s world.
However, the game’s story can be somewhat slow-paced, with long periods of downtime between battles where players must manage their kingdom and negotiate with other nations. Additionally, some players may find the game’s emphasis on political maneuvering and military strategy to be too dense or convoluted.
Overall, Brigandine’s story is a well-crafted and engaging tale of political intrigue and warfare, with a deep and well-realized world. The slow pacing and complex narrative may not be for everyone, but those who enjoy a deep and involving story will find a lot to love here.
Rating: 7/10.
Brigandine Difficulty
Brigandine is a notoriously difficult game, with a steep learning curve and punishing gameplay mechanics. Players are forced to carefully manage their armies and resources, as even a single misstep can result in a devastating defeat.
The game’s battles are often challenging, requiring players to carefully plan their unit movements and attacks in order to succeed. The game’s magic system also adds an additional layer of complexity, as players must balance offensive and defensive spells in order to gain the upper hand.
However, the game’s difficulty may be a turnoff for some players, particularly those new to the tactical RPG genre. The game’s learning curve is steep, and the punishing difficulty may be frustrating for players who are not used to this type of gameplay.
Overall, Brigandine’s difficulty is a double-edged sword. While the game’s punishing mechanics may be off-putting to some, they also add a level of challenge and depth that is sure to satisfy hardcore strategy game fans.
Rating: 8/10.
Brigandine Graphics
Brigandine’s graphics are somewhat dated, even for a PlayStation title released in 1998. The game’s 2D sprites and backgrounds lack the detail and polish of more modern games, and the game’s animations can be somewhat stiff and simplistic.
However, despite its dated graphics, Brigandine’s art style is still charming and effective. The game’s character designs and unit sprites are distinctive and memorable, and the game’s world is well-realized and immersive.
Additionally, the game’s graphics do not detract from the overall gameplay experience, as the focus is squarely on strategic planning and battles rather than flashy visuals.
Overall, while Brigandine’s graphics may not hold up to modern standards, they are still serviceable and do not detract from the game’s overall quality.
Rating: 6/10.
Brigandine Controls
Brigandine’s controls are generally well-designed and intuitive, with players able to easily navigate the game’s menus and control their units during battles.
The game’s menu system is straightforward and easy to use, allowing players to manage their kingdom and units with ease. The game’s battles are also well-designed, with players able to easily select and move their units on the hex-based map.
However, some players may find the game’s controls to be somewhat clunky or slow, particularly during battles where unit movements can sometimes feel sluggish.
Overall, Brigandine’s controls are well-designed and easy to use, but may be slightly slow or clunky for some players.
Rating: 7/10.
Brigandine Sound
Brigandine’s sound design is generally average, with a few standout tracks but otherwise unremarkable sound effects and music. The game’s music is serviceable and does a decent job of setting the tone for battles and events, but is not particularly memorable.
Additionally, some of the sound effects can be somewhat repetitive or grating, particularly during battles where unit movements and attacks can be numerous and loud.
Overall, while Brigandine’s sound design is not particularly impressive, it does its job adequately and does not detract from the overall gameplay experience.
Rating: 5/10.
Brigandine Overall Rating
%