Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Brandish 2: The Planet Buster continues the series’ tradition of tight, real-time dungeon crawling, placing you squarely in the boots of Ares as you navigate labyrinthine corridors filled with traps, puzzles, and relentless foes. Combat is immediate and engaging: you swing the Planet Buster sword with directional inputs, cast elemental spells to tip the odds in your favor, and learn to combine dodge-rolls with well-timed strikes. The responsiveness of controls gives each encounter a satisfying weight, particularly when facing larger monsters or miniature bosses lurking in secluded chambers.

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What sets Brandish 2 apart is its signature rotating dungeon system. As you move forward, the entire screen smoothly shifts perspective, giving a sense of spatial depth uncommon in contemporaneous RPGs. While the mechanic can feel disorienting at first—especially when backtracking through winding corridors—it rewards careful mapping and observation. Hidden alcoves and destructible doors invite experimentation, and the ability to leap forward and damage breakable walls encourages you to test every angle of the environment.

Puzzles appear sparingly but require genuine thought, whether it’s pulling levers in the correct sequence, activating pressure plates, or locating obscure switch combinations. Resource management also adds tension: limited healing flasks, magic points, and the occasional scarcity of save points demand cautious exploration. Though some may find the difficulty curve steep, especially in later dungeon levels, persistence and methodical exploration yield substantial payoffs in loot and storyline revelations.

Graphics

Graphically, Brandish 2 leans into crisp, colorful sprite work that shines on 16-bit hardware. Characters and monsters are distinctly drawn, each animation frame conveying weight when swords clash or when Ares nimbly vaults over obstacles. Dungeon tilesets are varied but consistent in style, with sandy caverns, moss-covered halls, and fiery magma chambers all boasting palettes that pop without overwhelming the eye.

The rotating camera effect, while a gameplay feature, also adds visual dynamism. Walls and floors shift realistically, giving the impression of an actual three-dimensional space. This was an impressive feat at the time and still holds up: each twist and turn feels purposeful, making exploration feel fresh even after repeated attempts. Environmental details—cracked stone, flickering torches, and subtle lighting changes—enhance immersion and complement the game’s ominous atmosphere.

While some textures repeat, and the occasional sprite flicker can occur when too many enemies crowd the screen, these minor issues rarely detract from the overall aesthetic. Spell effects and sword slashes are imbued with enough flair to satisfy, and boss sprites often tower over Ares with menacing presence. For fans of retro visuals, Brandish 2 offers a polished, distinctive look that stands out among its contemporaries.

Story

Picking up three years after the fall of the evil demonic king, Brandish 2 thrusts you into Ares’ plight as he becomes prisoner to the warlock Karl. Stripped of the Planet Buster sword and cast into a subterranean gaol, Ares’ immediate goal is simple: escape the prison’s lethal puzzles and reclaim his legendary weapon. Yet as you delve deeper, new mysteries unfold—ancient factions vie for control of the Planet Buster’s power, and the shadow of a greater threat looms beneath the earth.

Though the narrative framework is straightforward, it effectively motivates each dungeon dive. Dialogue with NPCs in hidden cells, parchment notes scattered on the floor, and occasional magic-scaled visions flesh out Karl’s sinister ambitions and Ares’ personal stake. Characters may not be the most nuanced in RPG history, but the pacing is tight: little time is wasted on filler, and each revelation directly ties into the central mission of escape and recovery.

For series veterans, references to the first Brandish game enrich the experience—familiar landmarks and allusions to past battles provide a satisfying sense of continuity. Newcomers won’t feel completely adrift either; the opening tomb sequence quickly brings everyone up to speed. Ultimately, the story serves as an effective backbone, delivering just enough intrigue to propel you through the most daunting dungeons without halting the action.

Overall Experience

Brandish 2: The Planet Buster offers a classic action-RPG experience defined by inventive dungeon design, responsive combat, and a compelling underdog story. Its signature rotating perspective keeps you on your toes, transforming what could have been a routine crawl into an engaging spatial puzzle. The game strikes a satisfying balance between exploration, combat, and light puzzle-solving, catering to those who appreciate methodical progression and occasional challenge spikes.

While the difficulty may deter casual players—later levels demand careful resource management and memorization of map layouts—dedicated adventurers will find its depth immensely rewarding. The lack of handholding means that each victory feels genuinely earned, and discovering secret passages or mastering a tough boss fight delivers a strong sense of accomplishment. A day spent with Brandish 2 is one filled with tension, curiosity, and moments of pure triumph.

In summary, if you’re drawn to old-school action RPGs with atmospheric dungeons, satisfying real-time combat, and a lean yet engaging storyline, Brandish 2: The Planet Buster is well worth your time. Its retro charm endures, and its gameplay innovations still impress—making it an essential pick for genre enthusiasts and a compelling time capsule of 16-bit ingenuity.

Retro Replay Score

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