Brigandine

"Classic Strategy Game of Domination"

Overall Story: (5/10) - Story of the game isn\'t very detailed or long, but you can play as 5 (or 6 with Esgares code) each with different endings and story leading up the the finale. Each story isn\'t very complex or thorough, but it does give a feeling behind the country, leader of the county, and some of the countries Rune Knights.

Graphics - (6/10) - If it was any other type of game these graphics would suck, but for this these graphics fit just perfect. The continent map looks stunning, but when you enter a battle the graphics get smeary. It is a birds eye view over the battlefield that you have the ability to scroll up and down the battlefield, zoom the view in or out, and change between overhead view and a more angular view from the side. When 2 characters or monsters engage into a fight the screen changes, in these scenes the graphics are big and look good.

Replay - (9/10) - You get 6 different countries to play as so it can take some time, each countries leader is different in the way they rule and the way they fight so that the player gets a separate perspective in each. There are many jobs/quests/\'\'secret\'\' characters so that you can mold your Rune Knights differently every time or use a configuration that you know to work well. This game offers 3 different difficulty settings. Maybe play it on hard if you want a challenge, or if you want to max out your knights stats maybe play it on easy with a country you already know well.

Plain Funness - (9/10) - If the sluggish graphics or story doesn\'t repel you from getting the game then you will have some fun. This game is fun! Choosing which castle to invade and who to invade with and when to invade is very free, its all up to you. Try getting the enemy to fall into a nice little trap you set on the battlefield never gets boring. Because you fight up against the same types of monsters and job classes brute strength has to be backed up by some smarts.

Other Games Like This:
Sega Genesis - Warsong(what a classic, also known as langriesser). Shining Force 1 and 2 (similar to this as well)

The Other Good Things -
1. Each character has a picture that is nicely illustrated.
2. Equipment can be given to Knights.
3. About 40 different castles to conquer and hold.
4. Over 70 different Rune Knights to play with.
5. Over 20 different monsters that evolve into stronger monsters at certain levels.
6. Many different quests that can get you items, equipment or even Rune Knights and monsters, but it can also have negative effects.
7. Each country has its own music.

The Bad -
1. Max level of 30, although leveling up takes a lot of time.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/08/03