Brigandine Abyss

This isn't the sort of tactical RPG that leaves you rueing decisions you've made and mourning the allies you've lost. Brigandine Abyss is practically cosy at times, working much better as a satisfying but unremarkable grind than as a tense battle of wits. I was fine with that, and enjoyed it for what it was rather than what I wished it would be.

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BRIGANDINE ABYSS is an addictive time. You can organize a plethora of troops to accomplish a lot of goals all at once. Taking over the continent is a big swig of dopamine. It might have some edges that need to be sanded, but it is enjoyable.

A title like Brigandine Abyss is a design nightmare. It takes two genres with a massive mental overhead cost and tries to make them both work in the same game. The result is a game that may not appeal to fans of either genre, but will be a must-buy for fans of both. For those who wanted Fire Emblem with more strategic freedom, this is the game, and for those who love Dynasty Warriors Empires but want more engaging combat, this is the ticket. Brigandine Abyss knows its niche extremely well.

This is not a title that will reach everyone, but for those it clicks with, it is an instant guilty pleasure that will keep them coming back time after time for just one more campaign.

I had a good time with Brigandine Abyss, but that comes with a lot of caveats. It’s not for everyone—SRPGs rarely are—but more than that, its story never gave me much reason to care about the world or its characters, and its presentation belongs to the early 2010s. What kept me playing was just how good the game’s strategy elements are, especially the amount of time I could spend putting my armies together and figuring out how to get the most out of them. There are plenty of things I wish Abyss did better, but fortunately, it’s very fun to play.

Among all its positive qualities, the greatest thing Brigandine Abyss did for me was reinforce my passion for strategy RPGs, delivering gameplay that demands dedication and time to process information—all while managing a map where territory was constantly expanding!

Brigandyne Abyss is a decidedly unconventional tactical JRPG that combines gameplay similar to a highly simplified grand strategy game with turn-based battlefield battles, where you lead one of the six factions in the game. Six years after the release of the previous installment, the Brigandine saga returns, offering excellent replay value and a particular focus on tactical variables on the battlefield. It’s just a shame about a few narrative flaws, as the story tends to drag and cram in far too many characters without ever developing them properly. The interface could also have used some streamlining, as players are too often overwhelmed by information. However, these are flaws that do not undermine the game’s value; it manages to captivate and entertain with a more than solid gameplay experience.

Brigandine Abyss is a delightful blend of tactics and grand strategy, allowing for massive wars between unicorns and fairies to be played out.