Square's Greatest Achievement-Brave Fencer Musashi

by Art Freeman, Jr.

Recently I have been discouraged with Squaresoft games but one game made me take a different look on the RPG giant. Final Fantasy 7 was a hit among one of my friends (many of whom only played it once from beginning to end; because of length) but everyone I talked to agreed that the gameplay was extremely limited to either boring random battles, mandatory boss fights and the WEAPONS. No this is not a letter slamming FF7 cause I think the game is good, just have many faults. Games are meant to be played not watched. Einhander was too difficult with dozens of enemies on screen and almost no room for maneuvering, Parasite Eve, eye-candy only, FFT good, but way too complex for the casual gamer, Xenogears-why play a game that possibly slams your religion? Nintendo always say they want games to be for all ages, all people, and never too frustrating but gradually increase in difficulty which they succeed in frequently. Only one Square game has been able to accomplish this since the 16-bit days, BRAVE FENCER MUSASHI.

From the start the player takes off into enemy grounds to receive Lumina, the sword of Luminescence. The game may not have the great graphics, FMV, spells, etc; of FF7 or much seriousness in itself (Allucaneet Kingdom, Princess Fillet, Thirstquencher Empire) but the interaction within the game truly gives it immersion. Musashi can assimilate moves from almost every enemy in the game which is sort of like FF8's draw system only much better and easier. All the boss fights are truly amazing and most of the cinema's are real-time although they can drag on forever too. For those gamers that love chatty RPG's then Brave Fencer is for you, just beware of some of the characters crappy voices. The music is outstanding, far better than the stuff heard on FF7. Its even better on the eyes, since the spells aren't as flashy, but colorful and concise. Your menu system isn't nearly as confusing as other RPG's (can someone help me on FFT, I'm lost in the armor section) and much easier to select items. The game is only one CD but has so much action and many things to do that you will think your playing a 3 disc game. This is a game, a playable RPG from Square!

My cousin brought Brave Fencer over one night and I was immediately skeptical about this Square game. I heard it was an RPG and was like "Oh my gosh! Lots of dialogue no fun." Boy was I wrong!! The story may not be all that new, the game isn't even a traditional RPG, but it shows that Square has the talent to make a great game, much in the spirit of FF6. For those of you who favor RPG's with more gameplay than text, a lengthy quest, cool audio/video, then I urge you to get Brave Fencer. If you love watching characters act out their story for you, pick up any other Square games, cause that's what they are becoming, square. Thankfully, Brave Fencer gives us a taste of Square's glory days.

If you would like to share views, contact me at jrfreeman@skantech.net