“Brigandine: The Legend of Forsena” is a turn-based strategy role-playing game (SRPG) developed by Hearty Robin and published by Atlus for the Sony PlayStation. Originally released in 1998 in Japan and later in North America, the game is known for its deep strategic gameplay, engaging narrative, and large-scale battles involving fantastical creatures and powerful commanders.
Gameplay: “Brigandine” combines elements of traditional turn-based strategy games and role-playing games. The game is set in the fictional continent of Forsena, where players take on the role of one of six nations, each vying for control of the continent. The objective is to conquer the entire continent through strategic planning, resource management, and tactical battles.
The game is divided into two main phases: the Organization Phase and the Battle Phase. During the Organization Phase, players manage their kingdoms, which includes recruiting and deploying knights, assigning them to control territories, and summoning and training monsters. The Battle Phase involves engaging in turn-based battles on hexagonal grid maps, where players command their units to defeat enemy forces.
Nations and Leaders: “Brigandine” features six playable nations, each with its own unique leaders, lore, and starting territories. The nations are represented by different factions, each with distinct strengths and weaknesses. The leaders, known as Rune Knights, possess special abilities and play a crucial role in battles. The choice of nation and leader influences the overall strategy and story progression.
Monsters and Rune Knights: The game incorporates a variety of mythical creatures, known as monsters, that players can summon to aid them in battles. These monsters range from dragons and giants to magical beings, each with its own strengths and abilities. Rune Knights, the human leaders, can also form bonds with specific monsters, enhancing their effectiveness in battle.
Conquest and Territories: The main goal of “Brigandine” is to conquer enemy territories and eventually unite the entire continent under the player’s banner. Players must carefully plan their expansion, considering factors such as the strength of enemy nations, the terrain of territories, and the distribution of resources.
Territories can be fortified, and controlling key locations grants strategic advantages. Each territory contributes to the player’s resources, including mana (used for summoning monsters) and gold (used for recruiting and training units).
Graphics and Sound: The game features 2D sprite-based graphics with detailed character and monster designs. The hexagonal grid maps for battles are visually appealing, and the animations during combat sequences add a dynamic element to the gameplay.
The music, composed by Tenpei Sato, complements the fantasy setting of the game. The soundtrack includes a mix of atmospheric tunes for the overworld map, more intense music for battles, and character-specific themes.
Reception: “Brigandine: The Legend of Forsena” received positive reviews for its deep and strategic gameplay, diverse roster of characters, and engaging narrative. The game’s challenging and tactical battles, combined with its replay value due to multiple factions, contributed to its positive reception.
Legacy: While “Brigandine” didn’t achieve the same level of mainstream success as some other titles, it developed a dedicated fan base over the years. In 2020, a remake titled “Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia” was released for the Nintendo Switch, continuing the legacy of strategic conquest and fantastical battles in a new generation. The original “Brigandine” remains a classic example of the SRPG genre on the PlayStation platform.
