Langrisser II

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Langrisser II
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Virtual Console
Publisher: NCS (Japan),
Developer: CareerSoft
Genre: RPG
Series: Langrisser series
Number of players: 1
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Langrisser II (ラングリッサー２) is a turn-based strategy RPG developed by CareerSoft and published by NCS. It is the sequel to Langrisser, a game which saw release in the USA as Warsong. Unfortunately, Langrisser II and all following Langrisser games never saw retail release in the USA.

This game was later remade as "Der Langrisser" on the Super Famicom and PC-FX, completely re-done with sweeping plot, graphic and map changes. Langrisser: Dramatic Edition for the Sega Saturn and "Langrisser I & II" for the Playstation are based on this edition of the game. The Dramatic Edition remake was in turn included in the Langrisser Tribute compilation, also for the Saturn.

Basic Gameplay

Most of the gameplay is similar to Langrisser, but with minor details and nuances ironed out - for example, classes have been re-balanced, and there is now much more incentive to having tactical advantages over opponents. The graphics have also been changed, turning the small sprites from the previous game into large "Super Deformed" characters.

Each map begins with a story exposition sequence, followed by a "Battle Preparations" screen, where the player is shown each of his playable story characters. On this screen, the player can assign the characters up to eight generic soldiers to command - each under a different "class" with advantages and disadvantages - and then equip items, and assign the starting positions for each character on the battle map.

After this, the player gets more plot exposition and then his first player phase. The player can move any of their characters (including the generic soldiers, who can optionally be AI-controlled) around the map and fight enemy units. Battle Maps take on an appearance resembling standard top-down RPGs, and have complex terrain rules. When a unit goes into combat, a new screen shows up which displays the outcome of the encounter. When a unit is completely wiped out, experience points are rewarded to the commander of the victorious troops, which are used to gain levels and change into one of the multiple, branching character classes, each with combat advantages and disadvantages. When a player ends his turn or runs out of units to move, the enemy phase begins.

Each map has a context-based objective, ranging from escaping an area, to defeating a commander, to surviving a certain amount of turns. When the objective is met, the player advances to the next map. The player gets a Game Over if the Lord-class character, Erwin, is slain in combat, or if there is a failure to complete another context-sensitive map objective.

For details on major gameplay changes in later versions, see Langrisser: Dramatic Edition.

Physical Scans

Mega Drive Verison

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  JP cover

External Links

• Official website on Sega.jp (Japanese)
• Hardcore Gaming 101: Langrisser
• Langrisser II fan translation by M.I.J.E.T.