Brigandine (video game)
A turn-based strategy game set in the fictional continent of Forsena.
Brigandine is a turn-based strategy game developed by Hearty Robin for the PlayStation, first released in 1998. That same year, Atlus brought it to North America under the title *Brigandine: The Legend of Forsena*. In 2000, Hearty Robin released an expanded version called *Brigandine: Grand Edition*, which introduced multiplayer support and other additions. The game takes place on the fictional continent of Forsena, where players select one of six nations and work to conquer the others by seizing their castles. Troops consist of humanoid leaders known as Rune Knights, along with fictional creatures such as dragons, ghouls, and pixies. While primarily a strategy game, it also incorporates elements of tactical role-playing games.
A sequel, *Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia*, was developed by Matrix Software and published by Happinet for the Nintendo Switch in June 2020.
**Gameplay**
Players control one of six nations, each with its own set of units and castles. Units are organized into troops led by a human or elven Rune Knight, accompanied by monsters. The goal is to conquer the entire continent by attacking enemy castles with your own troops or those of allied nations, while also defending your own castles from attack. The game has two turn-based modes: preparation and battle.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Brigandine
- Developer
- Hearty Robin
- Publisher
- JP · Hearty Robin · NA · Atlus
- Designer
- Yoichi Kawade
- Composer
- Yumiko Mori / Atsushi Noguchi / Yusuke Yada
- Released
- JP · April 2, 1998 · NA · November 13, 1998Grand EditionJP · May 5, 2000
- Genre
- Turn-based strategy, tactical role-playing
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
- Platforms
- PlayStation
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In Brigandine, the player controls one of six playable nations, each with units and castles. Units are organized into troops led by a Rune Knight, with monsters such as dragons, ghouls, and pixies. The goal is to conquer the continent by attacking enemy castles. The game features two turn-based modes: preparation mode, where players manage troops and summon monsters using mana, and battle mode, which takes place on hexagonal grids with combat rounds. Battles involve up to three troops per side, and the attacker must defeat all defender troops within 12 turns to win.
Reader's Guide
Brigandine is notable for blending strategy with tactical role-playing elements, including character classes, experience points, and elemental affinities. The expanded Grand Edition introduced significant changes: a multiplayer mode for up to six players, a fully playable Esgares Empire with plot cut scenes, revised elemental rules (red beats green, green beats blue, blue beats red), and a final boss after conquest. It also replaced 3D battle animations with faster 2D ones and added Japanese voice acting. The game's plot begins with Zemeckis' rebellion against King Henguist, leading to the formation of the Esgares Empire and war across Forsena. A sequel, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia, was released for Nintendo Switch in June 2020.
Did You Know?
- Brigandine was demonstrated at the September 1997 Tokyo Game Show by Hearty Robin, then known as Easly or Easly Staff.
- Monsters reduced to 0 hit points are killed permanently, while Rune Knights become unavailable for one in-game month.
- The Grand Edition replaced the original 3D opening with an anime opening and added anime cut scenes.
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