Brandish is a unique dungeon-crawling action RPG that stands out on the SNES due to its unconventional perspective and movement system. Unlike standard top-down adventures, the camera in Brandish remains fixed behind the protagonist, Varik, and rotates 90 degrees every time the player turns. This creates a disorienting, grid-based navigation style that feels more akin to a first-person crawler like Dungeon Master but viewed from a third-person perspective. Players must guide Varik through a massive, trap-laden subterranean labyrinth as he attempts to escape to the surface while being relentlessly pursued by the sorceress Alexis.
The presentation leans heavily into a dark, claustrophobic fantasy aesthetic that complements the grueling nature of the gameplay. While the environments can feel repetitive due to the limitations of the grid system, the sprite work for bosses and the recurring confrontations with Alexis provide much-needed visual flair. The soundtrack, composed by the legendary Falcom Sound Team jdk, is a significant highlight, delivering high-energy synth tracks that keep the momentum high even during the game’s more methodical puzzle-solving segments. It is a title that prioritizes atmosphere and resource management over flashy graphical effects.
Ultimately, Brandish is an acquired taste that rewards patience and spatial reasoning. The "tank" controls and rotating camera present a steep learning curve that many players may find frustrating, but those who persevere will find a deep, rewarding RPG with a high degree of challenge. It lacks the immediate accessibility of The Legend of Zelda or Secret of Mana, but its commitment to its specific mechanical vision makes it one of the most distinctive titles in the SNES library. It remains a fascinating example of Nihon Falcom’s penchant for experimental game design during the 16-bit era.
