View source for Brandish (video game)

{{Short description|1991 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Brandish
| image = PC-98 Brandish cover art.jpg
| border = yes
| caption = [[PC-98]] cover art by [[Nobuteru Yūki]]
| developer = [[Nihon Falcom]]<br />Mantra <small>(DOS)</small><br />[[NEC]] <small>(PC Engine CD-ROM²)</small><br />[[Koei]] <small>(SNES)</small>
| publisher = Nihon Falcom <small>(PC-9801, FM Towns, PSP)</small><br />Mantra <small>(DOS)</small><br />NEC <small>(PC Engine CD-ROM²)</small><br />Koei <small>(SNES)</small>
| series = ''[[Brandish (series)|Brandish]]''
| director = Yoshio Kiya
| composer = [[Tenmon (composer)|Tenmon]]<br />Mieko Ishikawa
| artist = [[Isutoshi]]<br />Tsuyoshi Matsumuro<br />Hidekazu Suzuki
| producer = [[Masayuki Kato]]
| 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}}
| genre = [[Action role-playing]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| platforms = [[PC-9801]], [[FM Towns]], [[Super NES]], [[PC Engine CD-ROM²]]
}}
{{nihongo foot|'''''Brandish'''''|ブランディッシュ|Burandisshu}} is an [[action role-playing game]] by [[Nihon Falcom]]. Originally released in 1991 for the [[NEC PC-9801]] and [[FM Towns]], it was later ported to the [[Super NES]] and [[PC Engine CD-ROM²]] in the mid 1990s, including an expanded re-release titled '''''Brandish Renewal'''''. The game was the first in the [[Brandish (series)|''Brandish'' series]] and was followed by three sequels. A remake, '''''Brandish: The Dark Revenant''''', was released for the [[PlayStation Portable]] in Japan in 2009 and worldwide in 2015.

==Gameplay==
[[File:PC-98 Brandish (Brandish Renewal).png|thumb|left|[[PC-98]] version screenshot]]
''Brandish'' is a [[top-down perspective|top-down view]] [[dungeon crawler]] game. The original version of the game uses [[Mouse (computing)|mouse]] controls from a [[Real-time game|real-time]] [[Overhead perspective|overhead]] view, where the player can move the warrior character Ares (known as Varik in the English version<ref name=hg1>{{cite web |last=Kalata |first=Kurt |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/brandish/brandish.htm |title=Brandish |publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101 |access-date=2014-06-23 |archive-date=2013-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125152838/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/brandish/brandish.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>) forward and backward, turn, strafe, and attack by clicking on boxes surrounding the [[player character]]. The player's objective is to escape from a labyrinth of over 40 floors in 5 different areas such as the 'Ruins', 'Tower', 'Cave', 'Dark Zone', and 'Fortress', each filled with various monsters, traps and puzzles.

''Brandish: The Dark Revenant'' turns the game's female antagonist Dela Delon (known as Alexis in the English version) into an optional alternate player character. Dela, a magician, plays differently from the protagonist Ares the warrior.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2008/12/08/brandish-the-dark-revenant-turns-the-tables-with-a-bonus-character/ |title=Brandish: The Dark Revenant Turns The Tables With A Bonus Character |publisher=Siliconera |date=2008-12-08 |access-date=2013-09-09}}</ref> The game's "Dela Mode" is shorter (lasting about 10 hours as compared to some 20 hours with Ares) but harder than the main scenario.<ref name="se" />

==Plot==
A long time ago, the small kingdom of Vittoria was built around a lofty tower, which pierced the sky. The people of the city, guarded by a mighty Dragon, lived in peace and abundance. However, King Bistalle, the ruler of Vittoria, desired to expand his kingdom and ordered the scholars to research the Tower. Soon he was brought a tome written in an ancient language. As they were deciphering the tome, some scholars feared that they might be laying their hands on the forbidden knowledge of the ancients. The tome reads: "The Great Guardian of Vittoria, 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 these otherwise ominous words, Bistalle decided to make this Essence of Power his own. He secretly organized an army which soon attacked the Tower and overwhelmed the Dragon. But as Bistalle 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 Vittoria, including the great tower, under the ground. All people on the surface forgot about Vittoria and the Tower in its center, and a thousand years passed.

One day, a swordsman named Ares is pursued by his nemesis, the sorceress Dela Delon who seeks revenge for his slaying of her master.<ref name=se>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2014/06/05/xseed-announces-brandish-dark-revenant-psp/|title=Xseed Announces Brandish: The Dark Revenant For PSP|date=5 June 2014 |publisher=Siliconera|access-date=2014-06-07}}</ref> When Dela catches up with Ares and attacks, her magic causes the ground beneath them to collapse and both fall into the cursed Ruins of Vittoria. The player assumes the role of Ares and must escape from the dangerous ruin, with the vengeful Dela constantly in pursuit of him. She is also interested in escaping the maze herself and the two meet repeatedly. The ending changes slightly depending on whether or not Ares helps her out of danger during certain events late in the game.

==Release==
Originally released by [[Nihon Falcom]] in 1991 for the [[NEC PC-9801]] and [[FM Towns]] home computers (and also ported to [[MS-DOS]] exclusively in Korea by Mantra and [[SsangYong Group|Ssangyong]] in 1996<ref name="hg101.kontek.net">{{cite web|url=http://hg101.kontek.net//korea/gameindex-conversions-publisher.htm|title=A History of Korean Gaming|access-date=10 October 2017|publisher=HardcoreGaming101}}</ref>), ''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, with some new music and hard drive support.

The SNES port is the only English language version of the game ever released (excluding the remake). It was published by [[Koei]] in 1994 in Japan and a few months later (February 1995) in North America. Due to [[Nintendo of America]]'s policies at that time, the game was [[List of regionally censored video games|regionally censored]] in its depiction of Dela's revealing costume and the plot was considerably altered.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2009/05/12/delving-into-brandish-the-dark-revenant/ |title=Delving Into Brandish: The Dark Revenant |publisher=Siliconera |date=2009-05-12 |access-date=2013-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227195133/http://www.siliconera.com/2009/05/12/delving-into-brandish-the-dark-revenant/ |archive-date=2014-02-27}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| SNES = true
| TG16 = true
| Fam_TG16 = 27 / 40<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=7692 |title=ブランディッシュ まとめ [PCエンジン&#93; / ファミ通.com |publisher=Famitsu.com |date=2014-11-27 |access-date=2015-11-03}}</ref>
| rev4 = HonestGamers
| rev4_SNES = 8 / 10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.honestgamers.com/1279/snes/brandish/review.html |title=Brandish (SNES) review by Marc Golding |publisher=Honestgamers.com |date=2003-09-02 |access-date=2015-11-03}}</ref>
| rev6 = RPGFan
| rev6_SNES = 75%<ref name="RPGFanSNES" />
| rev8 = ''[[VideoGames & Computer Entertainment|VG&CE]]''
| rev8_SNES = 7 / 10<ref name="VideoGames" />
| GR_SNES = 68%<ref name=gr>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588228-brandish/index.html |title=Brandish for Super Nintendo |publisher=GameRankings |access-date=2013-09-09}}</ref>
}}
''[[GamePro]]'' gave the SNES version a mixed review, commenting that the combat, though simplistic, is "more fun than it sounds". They criticized the "practically nonexistent" sound effects and repetitive music, and complained that the way the automap does not rotate along with the scenery is confusing, but concluded that the game's long length and addictive maze-crawling make it worthwhile. They gave it ratings of 4.0 for control, 3.5 for graphics, 2.5 for sound, and 4.5 out of 5 for funfactor.<ref name="GPro68">{{cite magazine|title=Brandish|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=78|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=March 1995|page=120}}</ref> ''[[VideoGames & Computer Entertainment|VideoGames]]'' gave it a score of 7 out of 10; while noting its relatively weak graphics, the magazine called its gameplay as "solid".<ref name="VideoGames">''Video Games The Ultimate Gaming Magazine'' 76 (May 1995) page 87.</ref> RPGFan gave it an overall score of 75%.<ref name="RPGFanSNES">{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/brandish/Brandish.html |title=RPGFan Reviews – Brandish |publisher=Rpgfan.com |access-date=2014-06-07 |archive-date=2014-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714172959/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/brandish/Brandish.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==''Brandish: The Dark Revenant''==
{{Infobox video game
| title = Brandish: The Dark Revenant
| image = Brandish The Dark Revenant.png
| caption = Japanese box art
| developer = [[Nihon Falcom]]
| publisher = [[Xseed Games]]{{vgrelease|JP|Nihon Falcom}}
| series = ''[[Brandish (series)|Brandish]]''
| director =
| composer =
| artist =
| producer =
| programmer =
| collapsible = yes
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|March 19, 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2008/12/01/brandish-revived-with-a-psp-remake/ |title=Brandish Revived With A PSP Remake |publisher=Siliconera |date=2008-12-01 |access-date=2013-09-09}}</ref>|NA|January 13, 2015|PAL|April 15 2015}}
| genre = [[Action role-playing]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| platforms = [[PlayStation Portable]]
}}
[[File:Brandish 1 gameplay.png|thumb|left|upright=1.1|A comparison montage of gameplay screenshots from the SNES version (above) and the PSP remake (below).]]
''Brandish: The Dark Revenant'' is a 3D remake of ''Brandish'' developed by Nihon Falcom for the [[PlayStation Portable]]. It was released in Japan in 2009 and worldwide by [[Xseed Games]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2014/060514d.html |title=Brandish: The Dark Revenant Makes its E3 Debut |publisher=RPGamer |access-date=2014-06-07 |archive-date=2014-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608105319/http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2014/060514d.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/brandish-the-dark-revenant-gets-its-very-own-trailer-276679.phtml |title=Brandish: The Dark Revenant gets its very own trailer |date=16 June 2014 |publisher=Destructoid |access-date=2014-06-23}}</ref>

===Reception===
{{Video game reviews
| PSP = true
| Destruct_PSP = 8 / 10<ref name="Destruct" />
| EuroG_PSP = 4/5<ref name="USgamer" />
| rev1 = Gamer.nl
| rev1_PSP = 8.5 / 10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamer.nl/articles/review/brandish-the-dark-revenant/ |title=Archived copy |website=gamer.nl |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054131/http://gamer.nl/articles/review/brandish-the-dark-revenant/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev2 = Gaming Age
| rev2_PSP = B+<ref name="GamingAge" />
| rev3 = ''Hardcore Gamer''
| rev3_PSP = 4.5 / 5<ref name="Hardcore" />
| rev5 = Push Square
| rev5_PSP = 7 / 10<ref name="PushSquare" />
| rev7 = RPG Site
| rev7_PSP = 7 / 10<ref name="RPGSite" />
| GR_PSP = 79%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/psp/955153-brandish-the-dark-revenant/index.html |title=Brandish: The Dark Revenant for PSP |publisher=GameRankings.com |date=2015-01-13 |access-date=2015-05-21}}</ref>
| MC_PSP = 81%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/brandish-dark-revenant/critic-reviews/?platform=psp |title=Brandish: The Dark Revenant for PSP Reviews |publisher=Metacritic.com |access-date=2015-05-21}}</ref>
}}

Kurt Kalata of Hardcore Gaming 101 was positive to the game, calling the PSP version as the definitive version of the first ''Brandish'', and the best game in the series.<ref name=hg1 /> The English version of ''Brandish: The Dark Revenant'' was universally well received in the West upon its delayed release for a [[Metacritic]] score of 81%. It got an 8/10 from [[Destructoid]],<ref name="Destruct">{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-brandish-the-dark-revenant-286365.phtml |title=Review: Brandish: The Dark Revenant |publisher=Destructoid.com |date=2014-01-13 |access-date=2015-05-21}}</ref> a 4.5/5 from ''Hardcore Gamer'',<ref name="Hardcore">{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2015/01/22/review-brandish-the-dark-revenant/130348/ |title=Review: Brandish: The Dark Revenant |date=22 January 2015 |publisher=Hardcoregamer.com |access-date=2015-05-21}}</ref> and four out of five stars from [[USgamer]].<ref name="USgamer">{{cite web |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/brandish-the-dark-revenant-pspvita-review-niche-but-nice |title=Brandish: The Dark Revenant PSP/Vita Review: Niche, But Nice |date=21 January 2015 |publisher=USgamer.net |access-date=2015-05-21 |archive-date=2015-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521140035/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/brandish-the-dark-revenant-pspvita-review-niche-but-nice |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other review scores included B+ from Gaming Age,<ref name="GamingAge">{{cite web|last=Pollesel |first=Matthew |url=http://www.gaming-age.com/2015/01/brandish-dark-revenant-review-psp-ps-vita/ |title=Brandish: The Dark Revenant review for PSP, PS Vita |publisher=Gaming-age.com |date=2015-01-23 |access-date=2015-05-21}}</ref> 7/10 from Push Square,<ref name="PushSquare">{{cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psp/brandish_the_dark_revenant |title=Brandish: The Dark Revenant (PlayStation Portable) Review |publisher=Pushsquare.com |date=2015-01-29 |access-date=2015-05-21}}</ref> 79% from RPGFan,<ref name="RPGFanPS">{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/Brandish_The_Dark_Revenant/index.html |title=RPGFan Review – Brandish: The Dark Revenant |publisher=Rpgfan.com |date=2015-01-13 |access-date=2015-05-21 |archive-date=2015-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313201735/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/Brandish_The_Dark_Revenant/index.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> and 7/10 from RPG Site.<ref name="RPGSite">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgsite.net/review/4095-brandish-the-dark-revenant-review |title=Brandish: The Dark Revenant Review |publisher=RPGsite.net |date=2015-01-20 |access-date=2015-05-21}}</ref>

==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. Another novel, {{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 for the game, originally published in 1993. It was later made available for free (in Japanese) at Falcom's official website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.falcom.co.jp/download/novel_br/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130430233741/http://www.falcom.co.jp/download/novel_br/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-30 |title=A serial novel "BRANDISH ARES" |publisher=Falcom.co.jp |access-date=2013-09-09|language=ja}}</ref>

Several soundtracks with the music from the game were also released, including ''Perfect Collection Brandish'' (KICA1102) and ''Falcom Neo Classic'' (KICA1114-5) in 1992, ''Falcom Special Box '93'' (KICA9012-5) and ''Falcom Ending Collection 1987–1992'' (KICA1132-3) in 1993, ''Brandish Piano Collection'' (KICA1153) in 1994, ''Falcom Special Box '96'' (KICA9026-28) in 1996, ''Falcom Classics'' (KICA1201) 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>{{cite web|url=http://www2.oninet.ne.jp/t_sera/brmss/index.html |title=Brandish Music |publisher=.oninet.ne.jp |access-date=2013-09-09|language=ja}}</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 [[Yasunori Matsumoto]] (Ares), [[Kikuko Inoue]] (Dela), [[Junko Iwao]], [[Yūko Mizutani]], [[Kyōko Hikami]], [[Yūko Miyamura]], [[Minoru Inaba]], [[Ryōtarō Okiayu]], [[Yuri Amano]], [[Kaori (voice actress)|Kaori]], [[Jūrōta Kosugi]] and [[Masako Katsuki]] (the cast is different from 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).

==Legacy==
{{Main|Brandish (series)}}
''Brandish'' proved popular enough in Japan to warrant two direct sequels exclusively in Japan that continued the adventures of Ares and Dela: 1993's ''Brandish 2: The Planet Buster'' and 1994's ''Brandish 3: Spirit of Balcan''. Another game, 1996's ''Brandish VT'' (''Brandish 4''), features a new story and characters. Dela also makes an appearance as a support character in Falcom's ''[[Ys vs. Trails in the Sky]]'' (2010),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2010/07/15/brandish-sorceress-guest-stars-in-ys-vs-sora-no-kiseki/ |title=Brandish Sorceress Guest Stars In Ys vs. Sora No Kiseki |publisher=Siliconera |date=2010-07-15 |access-date=2013-09-09}}</ref> and her costume was added to [[Rachel (Ninja Gaiden)|Rachel]]'s wardrobe in ''[[Dead or Alive 5 Last Round]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/09/14/dead-or-alive-5-last-round-video-shows-off-its-falcom-collaboration-costumes/ |title=Dead or Alive 5: Last Round Video Shows Off Its Falcom Collaboration Costumes |publisher=Siliconera |date=2015-09-14 |access-date=2015-11-03}}</ref>
{{clear left}}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* Nihon Falcom page: [https://web.archive.org/web/20081004003956/http://www.falcom.co.jp/newgames/other/br_98.html Brandish], [http://www.falcom.co.jp/br1_psp BTDR] {{in lang|ja}}
* Xseed games page: [http://www.brandishpsp.com/ BTDR]

[[Category:1991 video games]]
[[Category:2009 video games]]
[[Category:Action role-playing video games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Fantasy video games]]
[[Category:FM Towns games]]
[[Category:Koei games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-9801 games]]
[[Category:Nihon Falcom games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Portable games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Top-down video games]]
[[Category:TurboGrafx-CD games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Windows games]]