Have you ever heard of Langrisser? It’s very likely that you haven’t but this was a really good series of games in the Tactical RPG genre. The original title was making its rounds back in 1991 known as Warsong in the west. Back then, this was one of the biggest competitors to Fire Emblem that you could ever hear about.
Of course, that doesn’t mean much nowadays since Langrisser faded into obscurity. However, the increasing popularity of Tactical RPGs has brought back some interest in this game. Leave it to NIS America to distribute a remaster of the first two games on PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.
This Langrisser I & II review will be a bit unusual compared to my other reviews. In fact, it will be divided in several parts. In this part, I’ll be taking a close look at the changes that the remaster has brought. I will also provide short looks at both Langrisser games and a general impression on both.
Afterward, I’ll be looking at both Langrisser I and Langrisser II in depth. In those reviews, I’ll be grading both games and dive deeper into their overarching plots, mechanics, and overall structure. I believe that both games deserve a thorough review. Unfortunately, such will take a bit of a long time since both games are massive RPGs with multiple endings and ample mechanics.
So, without further ado. Here’s our review of Langrisser I & II: The Remaster.
Improvements All-Around
The very first thing players will notice is the changes to the art direction overall. The illustrations made by Satoshi Urushihara have been replaced by new character portraits and CG Scenes to adorn the game’s cutscenes and dialogue.
Even more surprising, the soundtrack of Langrisser I & II has been remastered. So, prepare to hear tunes that still have hints of that classic “Genesis twang” that everyone knows and loves. I honestly was in love with the new soundtrack choices. The compositions of old haven’t aged that well in comparison during the heat of battle.
Of course, I also have to thank the freedom to choose between old and new for that as well. Yes, Langrisser I & II lets players choose between the old and remastered artwork and soundtrack at will!
What this means is that if you love the artwork from Satoshi Urushihara but also want to jam at the new songs, you can easily do so at a push of a button.
Fight, Ledin!
Everyone knows how much of a sucker I am for video game soundtracks, so I’ll keep my raving to a minimum. But if I were to describe this game with one song, I would pick Langrisser I’s remake of the song “Friendly Fight”. This song downright reminds me of the times I was playing Project X Zone. It made every single skirmish against enemies more addicting.
Of course, there are other highlights that keep players invested in the battles or in the cutscenes themselves. Langrisser I & II delivers in the music department and compositions are incredible to hear. Unfortunately, it’s also a shame that the soundtracks can be a bit repetitive.
Was this a budgeted move? Perhaps. I did notice that some tracks were being repeated between stages. In some cases, I kind of wished that there was a bit more variety to the songs I was listening to. It’s not that the songs are bad, it’s just that they are repeated way too much on their respective games.
On the Subject of Cuts…
Something that struck me as odd from Langrisser I & II’s remastered art is the fact that players who stick with the old style will have a… Disadvantage. See, when playing games with the original artwork by Urushihara-san, you’ll have to also forfeit the CG illustration cutscenes. Not only that, but you also must bear with the fact that the sprite work is quite limited in this remaster.
See, sprites themselves take a bit of a “Chibi” approach to things. They aren’t as bad as the original sprites… But, I certainly wouldn’t like to see character models smiling all the time while warring against other factions and enemies. It simply doesn’t look natural, you know.
Langrisser I & II’s sprites themselves could’ve gone for a bit of an overhaul. However, I understand that this can be a matter of preference. Perhaps I’m spoiled by the way games like Fire Emblem: Binding Blade has done their sprite work. However, Fire Emblem games keep action 1 on 1 while in Langrisser you have skirmishes with armies of soldiers against each other.
Honestly, this part is a bit of a matter of preference. While I think that the visual department is a bit weak; the sound design and music more than make up for it. So, I believe that this game will look pleasing for anyone looking for an SRPG.
But what’s the kind of game you’re playing?
Fighting, Bonding, and Changing
Langrisser I & II takes a similar gameplay structure in both games. In them, you take charge of commanders and mercenaries in a strategic environment where careful planning is key to victory. Commanders are the strongest units you’ll have by your side, of course. Meanwhile, Mercenaries can be just as strong depending on the buffs you apply to them.
Otherwise, they pretty much become fodder of the greatest kind or the best decoys you could ever ask for. I’m not kidding, there were A LOT of times where I used mercenaries as a distraction for enemy units so I could continue accomplishing the objective. It’s rather funny seeing enemy commanders wailing on enemies while I basically destroy their forces from other angles.
Turning the Tide
As mentioned before, both games bring multiple endings. These endings are derived from different branching paths in the narrative and depend purely on your actions. Yes, some decisions you make in the gameplay will make an impact on the story overall. From sparing an enemy unit while accomplishing an objective to completing other additional objectives.
This aspect is more prominent in Langrisser II where even your allegiances take an important role. However, in Langrisser I you’ll see some alternate scenarios branching from your choices.
If you aren’t happy with the current path you’re taking, you can also jump back in the story to make different choices. Additionally, you bring back all your character progression (EXP, Lv., Money, etc.) alongside you. This makes progression tailor to the player’s wishes rather than forcing them on a set path.
Not only that, but the Chapters are presented in a flow chart manner. This lets players know which parts of the story include important decisions and where the story branches out. Langrisser I & II definitely provides in the narrative department as well. Both games bring some interesting stories that have variety and a good deal of character interactions.
Growing as a Commander
In both games, you’re allowed to grow your Commander depending on their Lv. and CP. You can use CP to change your Commander’s class which brings passive abilities and choices. These aren’t mere upgrades, though. Langrisser uses a Rock-Paper-Scissors approach to combat where certain classes are stronger than others.
Of course, you can change your Commander to fit your playstyle. In fact, I believe that Langrisser I & II gives players complete freedom to work on their characters. There are sections where you’ll only be able to play as a certain number of commanders while others are set as Reserves. However, you can replay these scenarios to get the EXP for the next stage.
I’ve had a lot of fun playing as the main characters. However, other commanders like the Mage Jessica went to become a big favorite of mine. Magic in this game can be devastating and a lifesaver when used correctly. Unfortunately, it also eats a turn per use and you have a certain range to cast spells. So, making sure that mages can deal a lot of damage and stay out of danger is very important as well.
Overall Thoughts
Regardless of such, Langrisser I & II is an amazing game compilation that should be in any SRPG fan’s collection. I’ll go deeper into my thoughts when addressing each game individually. However, I believe that this compilation is rather strong and offers a ton of hours of entertainment for its price.
While the graphical aspect isn’t as strong as many other games of its kind; the gameplay can offer the perfect amount of depth that will make players addicted. Of course, we can’t also forget the music which also brings back memories of games like Grandia and can become a joy to listen to even outside of gameplay.
I’d definitely recommend this game to RPG fans and fans of games like Fire Emblem and Advance Wars. Although, I believe that the Switch version would fit better since this kind of game can be enjoyed more on the go rather than on a dedicated gaming system like on PC. Of course, that choice is up to the player themselves.
What did you think about our Langrisser I & II First Impressions? Are you going to get the game on Switch or PC? Are you a fan of Tactical RPGs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
This review is based on a review key provided by the publisher