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 This game was the reason I bought a PC-FX. Yes, I love a good strategy game; I bought a TG-16 for Military Madness, a Duo for Neo Nectaris, and a Sega CD for Dark Wizard. Luckily, none of these have turned out to be disappointments. If you have ever played a previous Langrisser game and enjoyed it, read no further and buy this one.
If you haven't, then a review of somesort is probably needed. Der Langrisser FX is the PC-FX's version of the first in the series (whose sequels III and IV may recently be found on the Saturn, as well as a just-released rehash of I and II). Little remains however, of the first game's plot as seen on the PC-E SCD and MegaDrive (released in the U.S. as Warsong on the Genesis).
Langrisser is a fantasy strategy/RPG on a square grid where your commanders gain experience, cast magic, and arm themselves with items. There can be up to 8 controllable generals in a scenario, and each may have up to 6 soldiers in their division. As the game progresses, you may choose how to level up your men and thus determines the type of soldier and spells you will have at your disposal.
Additionally, in this version, there are several questions the Goddess of Light and Order asks you at the very beginning. So here you can actually choose the class of the main character, as well, and possibly change the path in how the game proceeds. Other choices come up along the way that will affect the outcome; sometimes people once friends will become enemies and vice versa... and inevitably, some die. The one time I played all the way through I ended up playing a total of 21 scenarios, though that is variable. I've heard rumors that there are fiftysome maps altogether, but you obviously can't play all of them in one quest.
Thus, unlike some other strategy/RPGs, this one does have quite a good replay value. The music is excellent; the sound effects could be better but the voice acting is good. In game graphics are  average... the cinemas are well done, but most of the talking in the game shows an animated head of the character with a text box instead of full screen.
The ending I saw was a little disappointing but there has to be more than one so I hope that will make up for it. All in all, if you like this kind of game, then you'll like it; if you don't, then this won't change your mind. I will say that this is probably the best game of its kind on the system, though its competition isn't very strong.
Graphics 7 - A little choppy in the battles, could be better...
Cinemas/Ending 7 - There just isn't enough of them.
Music 9 - Most is done beautifully, even with a few remixes.
Sound Effects 5 - Mediocre; the magic arrows still pop my ears.
Voice Acting 9 - I don't speak Japanese but they sound authentic :)
Replay Value 8 - High marks for a strategy/RPG.
Overall Fun 10 - This is what counts, after all.
Difficulty 7 - Harder than I expected, which was a welcome change. - Adam Edwards
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