Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia

 Switch
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
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  1. Hobby Consolas
    May 22, 2021
    72
    Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia it's not a game for everybody. If you're a pro on tactical and strategy RPG, you'll likely love it, even knowing if it's a harsh game when you are entering in it, it won't help you in your first play and that some decisions will, probably, make you scratch your head.
  2. Switch Player
    Oct 6, 2020
    70
    Brigandine: Legend of Runersia is a beautiful-yet-unapproachable masterpiece of a tactical RPG. It’s certainly rough around the edges, with its difficulty and UI being particular points of contention, but well worth the venture if you’re able to stomach it.
  3. The Indie Game Website
    Jun 30, 2020
    70
    There’s so much depth that a lot of people may find themselves drowning in it, but for a lot of hardcore tactics fans, they’ll be very much in their element. It’s all set against stunning artwork and a really interesting world, but the story can be a little lacklustre in places, and there are some pacing issues too.
  5. RPGamer
    Jun 29, 2020
    70
    Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia was a fun experience, and with six different campaigns to explore, there is plenty of room to replay and enjoy multiple playthroughs. This game definitely scratches that strategy RPG itch, and even offers an adjustable difficulty to match just about any player’s desired challenge level. The Switch could certainly benefit from more proper strategy RPGs in its library and Brigandine feels right at home. Fans that enjoy planning out total domination should certainly check out this one.
  6. TheGamer
    Jun 26, 2020
    70
    It's a little too bloated in some places, but for the most part, Brigandine: The Legends Of Runersia could be a fine choice for those looking for some tactical action on the go.
  7. DarkStation
    Jun 26, 2020
    70
    Overall, this type of game is bursting with replayability and I found the actual gameplay to be quite fun. There’s a lot of options for customizing your units and the unit variety was great as well (especially when you start leveling up monsters and doing quests to get more items). I also really enjoyed the soundtrack and the absolutely amazing artwork (it’s just so gorgeous!). Sadly, the story and 3D graphics do leave a bit to be desired, but the game is still an easy recommend to strategy RPG fans. It' doesn’t quite stand up as tall as, say, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, but if you’re looking for that next strategy title to scratch that itch you’ve been having, you should give Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia a go!
  8. Nintendo Life
    Jun 26, 2020
    70
    There's a ton of content here and, in the end, the whole thing feels like a pretty successful celebration of what made the first game a cult classic in the first place. It's not going to be to everyone's tastes, however, and if you like your strategy action to be a little more intense, you might want to stick with something like Wargroove or Fire Emblem: Three Houses instead.
  9. Attack of the Fanboy
    Jun 25, 2020
    70
    Even with a new developer in charge, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia builds upon the previous game with a lengthy campaign that has a ton of replayability, though players may feel pretty overwhelmed at first due to the complex gameplay.
  10. Worth Playing
    Jun 25, 2020
    70
    Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is a firmly average game. The strong plot and interesting artwork are tied to a gameplay system that loses its welcome by the end of one playthrough, never mind six. It's still enjoyable for that one playthrough, but it's difficult to imagine going through the same gameplay over and over again. If it hits for you, then there will be a lot of content to enjoy, but otherwise, Brigandine is not varied enough to keep you going for more than a single playthrough.
  11. GameSpace
    Jun 25, 2020
    70
    Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia hearkens to a simpler time, when console strategy games had a special magic to them... Nevertheless, the magic doesn’t hold up very well in the contemporary gaming world. Although it brings heaps of nostalgia, that nostalgia comes at the expense of depth and breadth of gameplay.
  12. GameSkinny
    Jun 25, 2020
    70
    Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia offers deep tactics gameplay but the overall execution falls short of greatness.
  13. Cultured Vultures
    Jun 25, 2020
    70
    Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia does not quite reach the heights of truly great tactical RPGs.
  14. CGMagazine
    Jun 29, 2020
    65
    Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is a game made almost exclusively for fans of the original, but JRPG fans who put strategy above all else may be able find something to love about this if they put in the time.
  15. Gamer Escape
    Jun 26, 2020
    50
    Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia isn’t a truly dire or bad title, but it’s the sort of thing that you’re either going to love or hate, and that feels like a pretty big ask for the game. It was a title I found very exciting in concept, but found myself increasingly disappointed by the more I played it. Be fairly warned before you try it – but also don’t be surprised if it becomes something that some people just will not stop talking about, even with its flaws.

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 69
  3. Negative: 8 out of 69
  1. Hij45g
    Jun 27, 2020
    10
    This is a really good rpg reminds of old time RPGs when the story was really good and you would find unique character's in it
  2. Mistoltean
    Jun 26, 2020
    9
    Short review: a great game, the true spiritual successor to Brigandine: Legend of Forsena Grand edition. More balance and less tedious thanShort review: a great game, the true spiritual successor to Brigandine: Legend of Forsena Grand edition. More balance and less tedious than the predecessor, but with a less impressive story and its telling style and subpar 3D art model with color swapping. There are a few rooms for improvement. Looking forward to the Grand edition version. I give 8.5/10 because I see potentials in the enhanced version so I plan to give 10/10 when it happens.

    Long review after finishing Norzaleo's true end and normal difficulty.
    Pros:
    + hold the spirit of Foresena very well. If you like Foresena, I believe you also like this game
    + balance improvement over the Foresena's. Caster types get deserve nerfs in stat and mp cost to cast spells. A rather weak class like Nightmare gets reasonable buffs.
    + Sending knights to do quests is less tedious.
    + Better tutorial to newcomers. This game is more new-face friendly than Forsena.
    + more complete information of character, e.g. their element, on the screen, saving time to look into it.
    + there are record mode that you can revisit the event scene, looking at knights you obtained.
    + there are special enemy to grind after unifying the continent to fight the last boss.

    Cons:
    - The story, based on Norzaleo's route, is too focused on character. There is no grand plot or interaction between nations before the end game. It is like they just fight each other without talking things out or finding out why they want to eliminate each other unless you see the talk event, e.g. Tim and Rubino, before the battle begins. Most of ruler's interactions are like "surrender to my justice or I will conquer you." I feel I like the story of Forsena more. The story in Forsena has more twists, turning points, and less pacing issue than Runersia's
    - 3D models do not look very pretty. Most high-tier classes are just palette swap of low-tier's. And because 3D's models are bigger than the hexagon, sometimes it is hard to see which hex they are in!!
    - There are fewer monster's secret classes and their secret promotion items, about 5-6 items only. Unique classes are also a few in this game, mostly just rulers. I hope they add more in the grand edition, if happens. Training monsters and knights are one of the most fun part of the game so less secret classes is a bit of disappointment.
    - AI in normal mode seems less intelligent than the Forsena's. A knight always charges ahead and get killed, even though they are mage!!
    - Cannot see/check the location of knights in the upcoming attack phrase before entering the attack phrase. Now, I have to recall where I move my knight to. Hope they add the same one as in Forsena's
    - Unimpressive final boss, story-wise, appear out of nowhere, and no involvement with the story before unifying. I like Brunoil's writing and his motivation in Forsena more. I feel like Happinet did not have enough time to flesh out them. Hope they fix it like they did in grand edition with Forsena's.    … Full Review »
  3. Cj22714
    Jul 5, 2020
    10
    I’ve been waiting for this sequel for 22 years and I can honestly say it does not disappoint. I’m not sure what others think is so differentI’ve been waiting for this sequel for 22 years and I can honestly say it does not disappoint. I’m not sure what others think is so different from the originals but imo it’s pretty spot on with some minor tweaks.

    The characters all have their very own backstory and each faction has its own storyline and reason for joining the battle. Like the original, it has a ton of replay value. Every faction has its own starting position and knights, all making it a totally different experience each time through. As with the original, every play through varied for me depending on my tactics and the tactics of the AI, even if I used a faction I had played with before. On top of this, there are also 20 additional recruitable knights. These knights are sought out by sending your current knights on quests to certain areas. Some of these knights you might recruit but others the AI factions might.

    The combat is great and the rng is fair. You will be able to see the percentages and projected damage of the attacking and defending unit. The battlefields also vary depending on which stronghold is being attacked and from which position. The battles take place on a hex system so positioning is key, especially with your spellcasters. There is also equipment, weapons and one time use tonics to help improve your characters and monsters alike.

    With all of this being said, I clearly love this game and all that it brings. My favorite part of it all is the progression system though. You are able to advance your characters to stronger classes once gaining enough experience. There are often skill trees and choices to make regarding which path and class you want an individual to take. For example: A level 1 fighter, once advancing to level 10, will have the choice of becoming a Knight or a Swordsman. At level 20 the knight becomes a Paladin and the Swordsman a Sword Master both with varying stats, usable equipment and special skills and abilities. Some monsters also have these paths but are a basic variant of a dragon for example. All very useful, especially while taking your army composition into consideration because the units element comes into play during battle as well. Obviously a Demon should do additional damage to a Paladin and that’s reflected as such.

    I truly love everything about this game. So much that I’ve been playing the original on PSone all this time. So much so that I even downloaded an Emulator so I could play the Grand Edition. Then spent countless hours searching for and finally successfully implementing the English translation so I could get the full experience as the Grand Edition was only made in Japanese. Needless to say, my favorite game of the genre.

    This is my first review on here but I felt it was necessary to let people know about this game. The first one certainly went under the radar, with the exception of some die hards. Put it this way, I was offered $450 for my physical copy of Brigandine: Legend of Forsena and refused. I would’ve purchased the Switch solely for this game. Was it worth it? Absolutely! If you enjoy the genre, you’ll love this game!    … Full Review »
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