Langrisser 1 & 2 Remake (PS4)

If options are your thing, and JRPGs your fling then this remake of a classic series for modern consoles might just be up your alley. With Langrisser 1, and 2 the way you approach the chapter to chapter story driven scenarios as the hero of the day are up to you. From your indoctrination as said hero, and your plight within the game's given world as a commander of mercenaries you'll find plenty of tactical situations with plenty of options at your beckon call. Done up in a per scenario setup you will find preset maps, and minions with their own commanders that are after you, and other NPCs for a variety of different reasons. As you battle it out alone, or with NPC allies in a familiar grid, and turn based affair while micro-managing your troops', and assisting commanders' every action you will find that strategy is king. That also being equipped with the skills, items, classes, spells, and mercenaries necessary for victory is the only way you'll see the two stories through to their end.

When you first startup the Langrisser 1 & 2 Remake you will immediately be met by a simple menu that gives you the option to play through either Langrisser 1, or 2 right from the start in no particular order. Each game harboring their own unique story, and key characters of interest. No opening cinematic though, sorry. In that main menu you'll also find a settings menu that houses the option to change the in-game and menu art from the classic 90's era anime style to the more modern Americanized anime design. That and the usual sound, text, and language options associated with a NISA JRPG release. Either game you choose from the main menu will begin with a brief cutscene featuring the Goddess of Light who will ask you a series of questions pertaining to your beliefs, who you fight for, how you fight, how you'd handle certain situations, and how you view the demons among other things. Depending upon your choices your hero will be chosen, and given boosted starter stats accordingly.

Beyond that introduction lies an introductory scenario. In Langrisser 1 this has the prince Ledin fleeing the castle as invaders attempt to take the throne from the King of Baldea. In Langrisser 2 Elwin must stop the kidnapping of Liana with the help of an amateur mage named Hein. Both stories are tied together by the fabled sword known as Langrisser, and the war over it. It is the initial scenarios that will give you your first hands-on experience with the combat mechanics as you try, and meet the chapter requirements that demand you to get Ledin to Narm, or the kidnap victim Liana in Elwin's campaign to safety from her captors. When taken forward to the main in-game menu afterwards you will be met by an entirely new set of menu options. This includes "Commander" where you can unlock named classes using earned CP gained through battle, "Skills" where you can change the skill attribute buffs you get from unlocking classes, "Spells" where you check on a commander's learned spells, and an "Items" menu where you can equip weapons, armor, and a stat buffing accessory. Aside from that you'll also find a "Mercenaries" menu where you'll see the cost per troop, their class, as well as their RPG stats. When unlocking classes you not only unlock skills, but also mercenaries that can be used in each scenario. Back at the main menu is a "Shop" that will aid in your efforts additionally by allowing you to purchase items, and equipment for your commanders. Commanders, of course are the key figures that include the hero you play as. They too have RPG stats that, unlike the mercenaries, will level up through successful combat situations.

Once you are set for the adventure at hand you can pick the "Deploy" option. This will take you to the current battle if you don't opt instead to choose a specific chapter or branching chapter from the "Chapter" menu. At the start of a scenario the map will load up with your commander or commanders, NPCs, and enemies placed in a predetermined starter location. During this phase you can change positions of commanders if desired through a "Change Position" option. Either that or "Discharge" the current commander troupe or "Commence Battle" to start the skirmish. Recruiting the mercenaries can be automated or selected individually per commander in your party. Your party of commanders will grow, and change as the story unfolds giving you access to more mercenary types, and battle options. The map which is also a key feature of the scenario is of a top-down view with varied terrain, character avatars, and buildings to fit the current narrative. When it's all loaded onscreen you will be given the win and loss requirements. This varies from scenario to scenario. Sometimes it will incorporate NPCs that need to be helped, or NPCs that will help fight the enemies. Other times it will be all about combat, and utilizing your mercenaries in the most effective manner.

Battle in Langrisser 1 & 2 is not unlike what you experience in NISA's Disgaea games. You begin by recruiting a set amount of troops which are limited by your commander's class. This is disclosed in the "Class Tree" menu where there is a branching selection of classes with specific mercenaries and skills that can be unlocked using CP. As I briefly mentioned earlier CP is earned through won battles by commanding officers. The victories of commanders are known as eliminations which are tallied up and displayed under a commander's profile in the main menu. As commanders play a vital role in combat scenarios so too do the mercenaries under their command. Recruiting the mercenaries during the recruitment phase of your turn costs gold, and a set amount of gold per troop type. With the mercenary count limited per type. Once paid for or hired the mercenaries are all you have until the scenario is either won or forfeit. When it's your turn you can choose to move the mercenaries a set amount of squares, have them standby, or attack enemies on squares next to them. The battles that take place when attack is chosen are fully automated in side view orientation, and weigh heavily on the mercenaries' stats. Their attack, and defense stats mostly with terrain advantage or disadvantage accounted for. That, and their HP. On the other hand the commanders under your command can do more options than their for hire counterparts. They can attack, command mercenaries (attack, defend, ...), standby, or use skills/spells to assist their mercenaries when in range. One of the key components of battles is the strategic placement of troops, and depending on the maps terrain you can choose to either keep your commanders surrounded at all times, and protected as you move forward, or advance with the commander, and attack without their protection. Some terrain can also provide advantages such as mountains, or rivers. When it comes to effectively utilizing certain spells/skills they will effect only certain formations according to the tiled grid on which the characters move. Positioning your mercenaries, and commanders accordingly is the key to longevity, and outlasting the onslaught of engaging enemies who also get a turn to make the same sort of tactical choices.

Regardless of approach you must always meet the win requirements to progress the story, and unlock other chapters, or sub-chapters in each game. Supposing you need to level up, grind for gold, or collect items that are exclusive finds on certain maps you can do so by selecting the chapter via the appropriate menu. The catch being that if you play a past chapter your progress will reset to that chapter, but your earnings and items will be kept intact. It's something to keep in mind if you do need to grind. One thing worth noting is that Langrisser 1 & 2 will allow you to start the campaign on easy or without an easy start. Going in with the additional help via the easy start will afford you some bonus items, and gold for your commanders to use. It's a good option if you want to play through things more quickly.

For replay value you will be getting to control 33 commanders that can lead you to 22 different endings, and 560 character outcomes. The characters coming with 50 different classes as well. Thrown in for good measure is a new character with an additional story arch. That, and new music as well as graphics changes. In it's simplicity, and it's complexity the Langrisser collection does offer quite a bit.

The Verdict ...

This is a very simple yet complex tactical JRPG, as so stated. Some might say it's akin to a mobile game or like Fire Emblem. Where it shines is the character interactions, the story, and the scenarios that are varied enough to challenge even the most battle hardened Tactical RPG players. The replay value is also noteworthy. When it comes to presentation it offers old visuals as well as new visuals that vary significantly enough in comparison to one another. That having been said it's not particularly the best looking JRPG I've seen published by NISA, but it does have a simple charm about it, especially with the 90's era anime art style. I think for the price, and what you get in regards to replay value is enough to win my vote. Always remember you can try out the demo first from the PSN Store to see for yourself!