Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia

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Nobody said that ruling a nation was going to be easy! Well, except for the parts where you live a life of luxury and wealth, feasting each night on the finest delicacies, cavorting with the courtiers of your choice and ordering the execution of all who displease you. Those are all pretty easy. In Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia, a recent convert from console to PC, we’re focusing more on the nuts and bolts of power, like managing logistics and leading an army.

There’s probably some other options on Steam to address the cavorting thing, but if you’re up for fantasy tactical warfare, this one has you covered – and then some.

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The land of Runersia is currently being rocked by an ongoing world war. Six nations are at each other’s throats, fighting for limited resources, territory and magical power. You’ll choose one of those nations and take control, fighting to lead your subjects to victory. To do this, you’ll rely on the power of Rune Knights, elite soldiers with the power to summon and control monsters. You’ll also need to ensure that your nation is running smoothly so you’ve got a consistent stream of resources coming in to support the war effort.

Logistics are a significant consideration, sure, but the heart of Brigandine lies in preparing and fielding your armies. This game is something of a combination between the grand strategy and strategy-RPG genres, so you’ll manipulate your forces boh on a larger, nationwide scale and in down-and-dirty tactical battles. There’s a lot to consider in combat, from unit affinity to terrain bonuses and more, so strategy fans in search of something to seek their teeth into won’t be disappointed.

Personally, I had a great time trying to keep my units alive over numerous fights so they could gain levels and become more powerful. It’s especially satisfying when a monster manages to grow powerful enough to evolve, making them a mainstay of future battles, or when a Rune Knight is able to change class and become even more badass.

Combine all this with a lovely high fantasy art style and you’ve got a winner on your hands. Brigandine’s multiple complex systems can be a little intimidating at first, particularly since the game has a tendency to just kind of launch you into the action, but players who stick with it are bound to have a great time. If you’ve got the urge for a little bit of conquest, you’ll definitely be able to scratch that itch with Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia – especially now that it’s on Steam for you PC players out there.

About the Author: Cory Galliher