- Release Date: November 12, 1998
- Genre: Role-Playing
- Style: Third-Person 3D Action RPG
Game Description
After their breakaway from the Nintendo corporation, Squaresoft decided to expand their horizons. They were most known for their role-playing games, such as the highly successful Final Fantasy series. As evidence of their expansion, Brave Fencer Musashi is an action/RPG set in a 3D world.You play a hero named Musashi, a spiky haired samurai. It seems the Kingdom of Allucaneet is in dire straits. The
She told Musashi of the predicament they were all in which lead to his going on a quest to search for the Lumina sword. And that is where the adventure begins. As Musashi, you will have to save the inhabitants of Allucaneet Kingdom, the royal family, secure the sword and destroy the
Brave Fencer Musashi is played from a slanted, top-down 3D perspective. As you roam the world seeking out your next objectives, you will meet with all kinds of monsters and characters. Usually, characters will give you hints as to what you're supposed to be doing or offer you a quest.
Much like the Legend of Zelda series, the action unfolds in real-time. When you come across enemies, you have a few options to choose. You can either slash them to pieces with your trusty swords or you can assimilate their special abilities. For example, if you see a hopping flower and try and assimilate it, Musashi will be able to hop across objects he could normally not pass. You can assimilate one skill at a time, which adds a layer of puzzle solving and logic to the mix. Musashi can also increase hit and spell points the more his experience goes up.
The story unfolds over 6 chapters, each with a unique boss and set of linear objectives to conquer and complete. In one chapter, you'll have to save a certain number of townsfolk and in the next you may have to search out an item. No matter what you're doing, it ties into the storyline. While it is mostly text based, there is voice acting that comes on at specific times (mostly key story events).
Brave Fencer Musashi also ships with a playable demo of Final Fantasy VIII.
Review: Overall
Squaresoft just keeps getting better and better and are expanding their horizons to other genres. The company had mostly been known for its elite Final Fantasy series as well as a whole slew of role-playing games before making the switch toBrave Fencer Musashi continues in the tradition of experimentation while keeping within the boundaries of an RPG. The best way to describe it is a 3D Legend of Zelda with plenty of Working Designs-esque humor and wit thrown in for extra measure. Guess what, folks -- it's good, too.
You assume the role of Musashi, a wise cracking kid who has been summoned by the Beverly Hills-like princess (who sputters off lines in the vein of "like, oh my gosh!") to -- you got it -- save the world! But shortly after you're summoned, the princess is kidnapped and you must rescue her in addition to all your other quests. Yes, the story sounds very cliched and unoriginal, but it's not. Remember, this is a Squaresoft game and they aren't slipping with this one.
The storyline is excellent and wacky. Everything has a humorous name (like the Castle of Allucaneet) that, for whatever reason, relates to food. It is here where it often seems inspired by a Working Designs product. The story itself is broken into six very long chapters and is very engrossing and immersive. There are hundreds of side quests to complete and you'll have to interact with townsfolk who all want or need something. Because of the diversity, you never feel like you're repeating yourself or doing the same thing twice.
Additionally, the gameplay is top notch. As I alluded to earlier, it's a bit like the Zelda games because of its action/RPG design. The camera angle, for the most part, is positioned above Musashi's head and it works well. You are given the option to change camera views at key times, especially when you're surrounded by lots of environmental objects.
Unlike other games, your character can use two swords -- sometimes simultaneously. One is your regular sword used for combat and the other, Lumina, is much more powerful. The Lumina sword allows Musashi to assimilate enemy skills and has a higher damage rate. Assimilation lets you "steal" abilities, such as the power to hop over things. When used in conjunction, he can climb up walls by sticking his swords in and pulling himself up.
The fighting is done in real time and you'll run into a seemingly endless amount of monsters. Like all other role-playing games, the more monsters you kill, the higher your experience level goes which leads to increased hit and magic points. Because enemies respawn after awhile, it is very easy to raise levels -- and you'll need as much experience as possible.
In conclusion, if you're a fan of the role-playing/action/adventure genre, you owe it to yourself to pick up Brave Fencer Musashi. It's an incredible game filled with interesting story development, characters and objectives. Squaresoft has produced another winner!





