Brandish

About

Brandish is a retro action RPG from Nihon Falcom that blends dungeon crawling with real-time combat. Players navigate twisting mazes, fighting waves of enemies while collecting weapons, armor, and spells to upgrade their character. The camera follows movement in a fixed arc, and jumping adds a simple but effective layer to dodging attacks or landing stronger strikes. Combat requires quick reflexes and smart use of resources, balancing melee and magic as you explore procedurally generated levels. Released in 1991, the game ran on platforms like the Super Famicom and PC-98. While its graphics and mechanics feel dated by today’s standards, Brandish is notable as one of the earliest titles from a studio now famed for the Ys series. Longtime fans often point to its influence on later action RPGs, though its niche status means modern playthroughs rely mostly on historical curiosity. The lack of modern ports makes it a challenge to access, but it remains a piece of Japanese RPG history.