PC Engine Review: Langrisser
Publisher: Masaya
Genre: Strategy
Game Type: PCE Super CD

Why this game never caught on in the US is totally beyond me. Langrisser has to be one of the most fun and enjoyable strategy games ever made! Not only is the plot really good, but the artwork is amazing and the gameplay is surprisingly well designed! I’ve always loved this game for Genesis (It was called Warsong in the US). Langrisser failed miserably for Genesis in the US though, while retaining tremendous popularity in Japan and spawning at least 7 remakes and sequels. The PC Engine version is especially good, being an upgrade of the original game, with beautiful cinemas and excellent CD quality music! The character designs are especially impressive in Langrisser, not to mention the great battle system!

Langrisser focuses on a prince, warring to take back his kingdom. It is a square-based strategy game where you fight through the enemy ranks map by map. As you fight, your characters grow in rank and power, becoming kings, nobles, priests and even dragoons! The strategy is simple and elegant. Different terrains offer different attack percentages. You can do better damage from certain areas, and are more vulnerable in others. All you really have to do is strategically attack from areas where you have the advantage. Easier said than done though, as unlike some strategy games, the computer’s AI is SMART in Langrisser. The enemies will exploit your weaknesses at every opportunity.

On the upside, even when you’re losing, the game is still fun! Langrisser has one of the coolest battle screens I’ve ever seen in a game. Your characters all start in groups of ten, so you’ll have about 100 people on the field at any given time, sometimes more. When you go to fight a battle, the screen shifts to a side view, and everyone rushes across the field to fight each other! You see all your characters fighting with the enemy, swords crossed and clashing! As they die, they fall to the ground yelling. It’s an amazing representation of a medieval battle, and really makes the game fun!

The music in Langrisser is good, as are the graphics. The menu system is easy to use, and the game flows fairly rapidly for such an involving strategy game. You will find yourself engrosssed in the game before you even realize it and 20 or 30 minutes will just be gone. Strategy games aren’t for everyone of course, but for those who do play….Langrisser for PCE is a treat that may be an unexpected delight. I know it was for me!

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