| Revision as of 11:57, 9 September 2013 editAnomieBOT (talk | contribs)Bots6,573,064 editsm Dating maintenance tags: {{Split section}} {{Expand section}}← Previous edit | Revision as of 16:36, 9 September 2013 edit undoDespatche (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users3,062 editsm please don't steal my changes and republish them yourself. there's no x68000 version. there are only two new tracks in renewal, and none of them are gameplay. the dark revenant is not a rerelease.Next edit → | ||
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| | caption = North American cover art of the SNES version (artwork by ]) | | caption = North American cover art of the SNES version (artwork by ]) | ||
| | developer = ] | | developer = ] | ||
| | publisher = Nihon Falcom (PC-9801, FM Towns |
| publisher = Nihon Falcom (PC-9801, FM Towns)<br> ] (PC Engine CD-ROM²)<br> ] (SNES) | ||
| | series = ''Brandish'' | | series = ''Brandish'' | ||
| | director = Yoshio Kiya | | director = Yoshio Kiya | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
| | producer = ] | | producer = ] | ||
| | programmer = Yukio Takahashi | | programmer = Yukio Takahashi | ||
| | released = '''NEC PC-9801, FM Towns'''<br/>{{vgrelease|JP=October 25, 1991}}'''PC Engine CD-ROM²'''<br/>{{vgrelease|JP=June 17, 1994}}'''SNES'''<br/>{{vgrelease|JP=June 25, 1994}}{{vgrelease|NA=February 1995}}'''''Brandish Renewal'''''<br/>{{vgrelease|JP=October 3, 1995}} |
| released = '''NEC PC-9801, FM Towns'''<br/>{{vgrelease|JP=October 25, 1991}}'''PC Engine CD-ROM²'''<br/>{{vgrelease|JP=June 17, 1994}}'''SNES'''<br/>{{vgrelease|JP=June 25, 1994}}{{vgrelease|NA=February 1995}}'''''Brandish Renewal''''' (PC-98)<br/>{{vgrelease|JP=October 3, 1995}} | ||
| | genre = ] | | genre = ] | ||
| | modes = ] | | modes = ] | ||
| | platforms = ], ], ], ], ] |
| platforms = ], ], ], ] | ||
| | media = 12 ] ] (SNES) | | media = 12 ] ] (SNES) | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ⚫ | {{nihongo|'''''Brandish'''''|ブランディッシュ}} is an ] by ]. Originally released in 1991 for the ] and ], it was later ported to the ] and ] in 1994. The only English language version of the game is the SNES version, which was published by ] in Japan in 1994 and in North America in 1995. | ||
| ⚫ | {{nihongo|'''''Brandish'''''|ブランディッシュ}} is an ] by ]. Originally released in 1991 for the ] and ], it was later ported to the ] |
||
| ''Brandish'' was the first title in Nihon Falcom's series of the same name. It was followed by three sequels: ''Brandish 2: The Planet Buster'', ''Brandish 3: Spirit of Balcan'', and ''Brandish VT'' / ''Brandish 4'', originally released between 1991 and 1996. | ''Brandish'' was the first title in Nihon Falcom's series of the same name. It was followed by three sequels: ''Brandish 2: The Planet Buster'', ''Brandish 3: Spirit of Balcan'', and ''Brandish VT'' / ''Brandish 4'', originally released between 1991 and 1996. | ||
| A complete remake of the original ''Brandish'' featuring 3D graphics was released for the ] in 2009, titled {{nihongo| |
A complete remake of the original ''Brandish'' featuring 3D graphics was released for the ] in 2009, titled {{nihongo|''Brandish: The Dark Revenant''|ブランディッシュ～ダークレヴナント～}}. | ||
| ==Gameplay== | ==Gameplay== | ||
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| {{expand section|date=August 2013}} <!-- events of the game itself --> | {{expand section|date=August 2013}} <!-- events of the game itself --> | ||
| Names in parentheses are from the US SNES version. | |||
| ⚫ | A long time ago, the small kingdom of Bythol (Berimya |
||
| ⚫ | A long time ago, the small kingdom of Bythol (Berimya) was built around a lofty tower, which pierced the sky. The inhabitants of the city, guarded by a mighty Dragon, lived in peace and abundance. However, King Bistall (Berebus), the ruler of Bythol, desired to expand his kingdom. He ordered the scholars to research the Tower. Soon, one of the scholars brought a tome written in an ancient language from the tower to Bistall, which they started deciphering. As they were deciphering the tome, some scholars feared that they might be laying their hands on the forbidden knowledge of the ancients. When the scholars deciphered the tome, it read, "The Great Guardian of Bythol, the Dragon, and the Essence of Power lies in the top of the Tower; the one who possesses the Essence will possess all." Undaunted by the otherwise ominous words of the tome, Bythol decided to make this Essence of Power his own. He secretly organized an army, which soon seized the Tower and raised their swords against the Dragon. Even the Dragon could not resist the power of Bistall's army. But as Bistall grasped at the Essence of Power, the Dragon gave up its own life to destroy it. The Essence, losing control, transformed the King into a hideous monster and sank the entire kingdom of Bythol, including the great tower, under the ground. All people on the surface of the earth forgot about Bythol and the Tower in its center, and a thousand years passed. | ||
| A mysterious swordsman, known as Ares (Varik), is pursued by a sorceress named Dela Delon ( |
A mysterious swordsman, known as Ares (Varik), is pursued by a sorceress named Dela Delon (renamed Dora Doran in ''The Dark Revenant'' to match the katakana and renamed Alexis in the US SNES version) who seeks revenge for the murder of her master. When Dela catches up with Ares and attacks, her magic causes the ground beneath them collapsed and both fell into the cursed Ruins of Bythol. The player assumes the role of Ares and must escape from the dangerous ruin, with the vengeful Dela constantly in pursuit. | ||
| ===Characters=== | ===Characters=== | ||
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| ], first used in ''Brandish Renewal'')]] | ], first used in ''Brandish Renewal'')]] | ||
| Originally released by ] in 1991 for the ] and ] home computers, ''Brandish'' was later released for the ] (SNES) and ]. The PC Engine version was published by ] and features CD quality music as well as vocal dialogue and narration. The PC-98 version was re-released as ''Brandish Renewal'' in 1995, |
Originally released by ] in 1991 for the ] and ] home computers, ''Brandish'' was later released for the ] (SNES) and ]. The PC Engine version was published by ] and features CD quality music as well as vocal dialogue and narration. The PC-98 version was re-released as ''Brandish Renewal'' in 1995, featuring install-to-hard-drive support and a couple of new songs. | ||
| The best known version in non-Japanese markets is the SNES port, which is the only English language version of the game ever released. It was published by ] in 1994 in Japan and a few months later (in February 1995) in North America. | The best known version in non-Japanese markets is the SNES port, which is the only English language version of the game ever released. It was published by ] in 1994 in Japan and a few months later (in February 1995) in North America. | ||
| Line 53: | Line 54: | ||
| ''Brandish Storybook'' (ブランディッシュ・ストーリーブック) (ISBN 978-4944000142) is a novelization of the game, co-authored by Katsunori Inoue and Suzuki Noriyuki and published in 1992. The story is told from the perspectives of both Ares and Dela. {{nihongo|''Brandish Ares: Yobisamasu Unmei''|ブランディッシュ・アレス 呼び覚ます運命}} (ISBN 978-4893661463) is a prequel novel for the game, originally published in 1993. It was later made available at Falcom's official website.<ref> {{jp icon}}</ref> | ''Brandish Storybook'' (ブランディッシュ・ストーリーブック) (ISBN 978-4944000142) is a novelization of the game, co-authored by Katsunori Inoue and Suzuki Noriyuki and published in 1992. The story is told from the perspectives of both Ares and Dela. {{nihongo|''Brandish Ares: Yobisamasu Unmei''|ブランディッシュ・アレス 呼び覚ます運命}} (ISBN 978-4893661463) is a prequel novel for the game, originally published in 1993. It was later made available at Falcom's official website.<ref> {{jp icon}}</ref> | ||
| Several soundtracks with the music from the game were also released, including ''Perfect Collection Brandish'' ( |
Several soundtracks with the music from the game were also released, including ''Perfect Collection Brandish'' (KICA-1102) and ''Falcom Neo Classic'' (KICA-1114~5) in 1992, ''Falcom Special Box '93''(KICA-9012~5) and ''Falcom Ending Collection 1987-1992'' (KICA-1132~3) in 1993, ''Brandish Piano Collection'' (KICA-1153) in 1994, ''Falcom Special Box '96'' (KICA-9026~28) in 1996, ''Falcom Classics'' (KICA-1201) in 1997, and ''Brandish -The Dark Revenant- Original Sound Track'' (NW10102800) and ''Brandish Original Sound Track ～FM TOWNS & Renewal～'' (BR-OST-FR) in 2009.<ref> {{jp icon}}</ref> | ||
| 1995's audio drama ''CD Drama Brandish Gaiden'' (CDドラマ ブランディッシュ外伝) features voice acting by ] (Ares), ] (Dela), ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] (the cast is different than in the game's PC Engine CD-ROM² version). The drama was released as a part of ''Falcom Special Box '96'' and ''Falcom Special Box '97'' (KICA9029-31). {{-}} | 1995's audio drama ''CD Drama Brandish Gaiden'' (CDドラマ ブランディッシュ外伝) features voice acting by ] (Ares), ] (Dela), ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] (the cast is different than in the game's PC Engine CD-ROM² version). The drama was released as a part of ''Falcom Special Box '96'' and ''Falcom Special Box '97'' (KICA9029-31). {{-}} | ||
Revision as of 16:36, 9 September 2013
 | This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article. (August 2013) |
| Brandish | |
|---|---|
| File:Brandish Coverart.pngNorth American cover art of the SNES version (artwork by Nobuteru Yūki) | |
| Developer(s) | Nihon Falcom |
| Publisher(s) | Nihon Falcom (PC-9801, FM Towns) NEC (PC Engine CD-ROM²) Koei (SNES) |
| Director(s) | Yoshio Kiya |
| Producer(s) | Masayuki Kato |
| Programmer(s) | Yukio Takahashi |
| Artist(s) | Isutoshi Tsuyoshi Matsumuro Hidekazu Suzuki |
| Composer(s) | Tenmon Mieko Ishikawa |
| Series | Brandish |
| Platform(s) | PC-9801, FM Towns, SNES, PC Engine CD-ROM² |
| Release | NEC PC-9801, FM Towns PC Engine CD-ROM² SNES Brandish Renewal (PC-98) |
| Genre(s) | Action RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Brandish (ブランディッシュ) is an action role-playing video game by Nihon Falcom. Originally released in 1991 for the NEC PC-9801 and FM Towns, it was later ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and PC Engine CD-ROM² in 1994. The only English language version of the game is the SNES version, which was published by Koei in Japan in 1994 and in North America in 1995.
Brandish was the first title in Nihon Falcom's series of the same name. It was followed by three sequels: Brandish 2: The Planet Buster, Brandish 3: Spirit of Balcan, and Brandish VT / Brandish 4, originally released between 1991 and 1996.
A complete remake of the original Brandish featuring 3D graphics was released for the PlayStation Portable in 2009, titled Brandish: The Dark Revenant (ブランディッシュ～ダークレヴナント～).
Gameplay
 | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2013) |
Brandish is a top-down view dungeon crawler game. was an early attempt at using fairly sophisticated mouse controls in a real-time overhead action RPG, where the player can move forward, backward, turn, strafe and attack by clicking on boxes surrounding the player character.
Plot
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2013) |
Names in parentheses are from the US SNES version.
A long time ago, the small kingdom of Bythol (Berimya) was built around a lofty tower, which pierced the sky. The inhabitants of the city, guarded by a mighty Dragon, lived in peace and abundance. However, King Bistall (Berebus), the ruler of Bythol, desired to expand his kingdom. He ordered the scholars to research the Tower. Soon, one of the scholars brought a tome written in an ancient language from the tower to Bistall, which they started deciphering. As they were deciphering the tome, some scholars feared that they might be laying their hands on the forbidden knowledge of the ancients. When the scholars deciphered the tome, it read, "The Great Guardian of Bythol, the Dragon, and the Essence of Power lies in the top of the Tower; the one who possesses the Essence will possess all." Undaunted by the otherwise ominous words of the tome, Bythol decided to make this Essence of Power his own. He secretly organized an army, which soon seized the Tower and raised their swords against the Dragon. Even the Dragon could not resist the power of Bistall's army. But as Bistall grasped at the Essence of Power, the Dragon gave up its own life to destroy it. The Essence, losing control, transformed the King into a hideous monster and sank the entire kingdom of Bythol, including the great tower, under the ground. All people on the surface of the earth forgot about Bythol and the Tower in its center, and a thousand years passed.
A mysterious swordsman, known as Ares (Varik), is pursued by a sorceress named Dela Delon (renamed Dora Doran in The Dark Revenant to match the katakana and renamed Alexis in the US SNES version) who seeks revenge for the murder of her master. When Dela catches up with Ares and attacks, her magic causes the ground beneath them collapsed and both fell into the cursed Ruins of Bythol. The player assumes the role of Ares and must escape from the dangerous ruin, with the vengeful Dela constantly in pursuit.
Characters
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2013) |
Release
Originally released by Nihon Falcom in 1991 for the NEC PC-9801 and FM Towns home computers, Brandish was later released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and PC Engine CD-ROM². The PC Engine version was published by NEC and features CD quality music as well as vocal dialogue and narration. The PC-98 version was re-released as Brandish Renewal in 1995, featuring install-to-hard-drive support and a couple of new songs.
The best known version in non-Japanese markets is the SNES port, which is the only English language version of the game ever released. It was published by Koei in 1994 in Japan and a few months later (in February 1995) in North America.
The 3D remake titled Brandish: The Dark Revenant was released by Nihon Falcom in 2009. Its limited edition includes a calendar and original soundtrack CD.
Related media
Brandish Storybook (ブランディッシュ・ストーリーブック) (ISBN 978-4944000142) is a novelization of the game, co-authored by Katsunori Inoue and Suzuki Noriyuki and published in 1992. The story is told from the perspectives of both Ares and Dela. Brandish Ares: Yobisamasu Unmei (ブランディッシュ・アレス 呼び覚ます運命) (ISBN 978-4893661463) is a prequel novel for the game, originally published in 1993. It was later made available at Falcom's official website.
Several soundtracks with the music from the game were also released, including Perfect Collection Brandish (KICA-1102) and Falcom Neo Classic (KICA-1114~5) in 1992, Falcom Special Box '93(KICA-9012~5) and Falcom Ending Collection 1987-1992 (KICA-1132~3) in 1993, Brandish Piano Collection (KICA-1153) in 1994, Falcom Special Box '96 (KICA-9026~28) in 1996, Falcom Classics (KICA-1201) in 1997, and Brandish -The Dark Revenant- Original Sound Track (NW10102800) and Brandish Original Sound Track ～FM TOWNS & Renewal～ (BR-OST-FR) in 2009.
1995's audio drama CD Drama Brandish Gaiden (CDドラマ ブランディッシュ外伝) features voice acting by Yasunori Matsumoto (Ares), Kikuko Inoue (Dela), Junko Iwao, Yūko Mizutani, Kyōko Hikami, Yūko Miyamura, Minoru Inaba, Ryōtarō Okiayu, Yuri Amano, Kaori, Jūrōta Kosugi and Masako Katsuki (the cast is different than in the game's PC Engine CD-ROM² version). The drama was released as a part of Falcom Special Box '96 and Falcom Special Box '97 (KICA9029-31).
Reception
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2013) |
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| GameRankings | 67.50% (SNES) |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Game Informer | 4.75/10 (SNES) |
| GamePro | 16.5/20 (SNES) |
The SNES version of Brandish did not become not very well known or popular in the West because of its late release, when the SNES market was beginning to fade off in anticipation of the Sega Saturn and PlayStation. Furthermore, it was published by Koei, which was known at the time for their strategy wargames and not role-playing or action games. Nevertheless, the game received mostly positive reviews in the American video game publications. GamePro gave it a score of 16.5/20, stating that "despite some shortcomings, Brandish has a fine story to play." VideoGames gave it a score of 7/10, commenting that with its relatively weak graphics, Brandish "goes for a solid gameplay over flash." However, Game Informer gave it only a 4.75/10.
Legacy
 | It has been suggested that this section be split out into another article titled Brandish (series). (Discuss) (September 2013) |
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2013) |
The game still proved popular enough in Japan to warrant two sequels exclusively in Japan that continued the saga of Ares and Dela. The first one was Brandish 2: The Planet Buster, originally released in 1993 (like Falcom's later Ys V, both an easy and hard version of this game were released). The next sequel was Brandish 3: Spirit of Balcan, orginally released in 1994.
Bradish 3 was followed by Brandish VT, originally released in 1996, and renamed Brandish 4: The Tower of Sleeping God (ブランディッシュ4 眠れる神の塔) when it was re-released for Windows in 2007. This final game follows a similar gameplay format with completely different storyline and characters.
References
- A serial novel "BRANDISH ARES" Template:Jp icon
- Brandish Music Template:Jp icon
- ^ Brandish for Super Nintendo - GameRankings
- ^ GamePro 68 (March 1995) page 120.
- Video Games The Ultimate Gaming Magazine 76 (May 1995) page 87.
- Brandish 4 official website Template:Jp icon
External links
- Official website (PSP) Template:Jp icon
- Official website (series)
- Brandish at MobyGames
- Brandish at Hardcore Gaming 101