Aren’t you somewhat quick for a Samurai?

My family had an N64 for the late ‘90s, so all of my PS1 expertise was had on an in depth pal’s console. Nonetheless, they weren’t as centered on video video games as I used to be in my youth, so I largely simply received to play the actually large titles. Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater, Twisted Metallic, and no matter might be discovered on demo discs.

I’ve been making up for misplaced time, lately. My PS1 assortment has been rising, and I’ve been paying shut consideration to the titles that slipped between the cracks. 1998’s Courageous Fencer Musashi is one such title. It was made throughout what was most likely Squaresoft’s most ingenious interval. Between all of the Last Fantasy’s, we received Parasite Eve and Vagrant Story. These days, it seems like between every Last Fantasy and Dragon Quest entry, we get a bunch of spin-offs and remakes from these collection.

Courageous Fencer Musashi me as a result of I knew subsequent to nothing about it.

Not my downside, pal

The introduction to Courageous Fencer Musashi does a hilariously nice job of setting issues up. The Alucaneet Kingdom is underneath assault by the Thirstquencher Empire, so the princess of the dominion summons Musashi to make things better for them. He completely has no real interest in doing this, everybody instantly makes enjoyable of him for being a toddler, however he’s not allowed to go residence till he solves their issues.

Screw organising compelling motivation for the protagonist. Musashi is on a quest as a result of he’s obligated to be. Many occasions when an NPC asks him for assist, he responds with some variation of, “Isn’t this one thing you have to be doing your self?” However as a result of the villagers completely refuse to assist themselves, Musashi has to do it for them.

This can be a subtext that quite a lot of video games simply ignore, but it surely’s actually the driving narrative drive behind Courageous Fencer Musashi. Musashi is somebody who’s simply trapped in a online game. The villagers all play their components, however that act is solely developing with some harmful job for the hero.

The entire “you’re a hero, don’t ask questions” schtick has labored for video video games since time immemorial, however occasionally, it’s good to have a hero whose catchphrase is, “Not my downside, pal.”

Effectively, excuuuse me, Princess

Whereas Squaresoft is essentially recognized for its RPGs, Courageous Fencer Musashi leans somewhat heavier into the nebulous action-adventure class. There are RPG stats and questing, however the focus isn’t on them. As an alternative, it performs nearer to a Zelda sport however with platforming parts. In some methods, its lighthearted and eccentric storytelling and tilted-angle platforming jogged my memory closely of Tremendous Mario RPG, however I used to be stunned to seek out nearly no employees crossover between the 2 video games.

You spend quite a lot of your time on the fort or the neighboring Grillin Village. All of the motion areas department off from the village. Most chapters of the sport start with the village having an issue, and that factors you within the course of the place you want to go subsequent. It’s not foolproof, however normally, in the event you discuss to the villagers, you’ll catch wind of a rumor.

Musashi’s purpose is to gather 5 scrolls to energy up his sword, Lumina. These scrolls (and the sword) are additionally what the Thirstquencher Empire is after, so that they’ll be making a nuisance of themselves. It’s a fairly normal online game narrative, particularly for the time.

Scrumptious villagers

Something generic about Courageous Fencer Musashi’s plot is made up for by its whimsical quirkiness. There’s a day/evening cycle that strikes the townsfolk alongside their path, and as you quest, one among your objectives is to save lots of captured residents from crystal-like “Bincho fields.”

The truth that you retain orbiting Grillin Village goes a great distance in direction of making it really feel like residence. You be taught individuals’s schedules over time and catch wind of how different townsfolk really feel about them. There’s an unlucky dearth of facet actions to tackle, however every character feels distinctive, and their interactions with Musashi are pleasant.

There’s additionally an motion determine accumulating diversion that’s utterly there for its personal sake. You should buy these collectible figurines of most of the characters and enemies you encounter, then take them again to your room and consider them. Nonetheless, all of them come mint-on-card. Will you break open that blister pack? You idiot! You’ve destroyed their resale worth! All nicely. No less than now you’ll be able to mess around with them.

Harass the wildlife

The largest situation I had with Courageous Fencer Musashi is that it isn’t a lot enjoyable to play. The platforming is underwhelming at finest and finicky at worst. The fight isn’t nice, both. It’s kind of gluey and lacks any actual affect.

You’ve gotten the flexibility to soak up talents from enemies, however aiming your fusion sword is simply so crappy. Then, many of the talents suck and are solely helpful in particular conditions. Until there was clearly one thing within the surroundings that I wanted a capability to bypass, I’d usually simply overlook that this means even existed.

Then again, typically it has amusing results. Like, one among them simply makes you stink and places flies in your display. That’s a great one.

Courageous Fencer Musashi additionally flows like a river of butts. The toughest a part of the sport for me occurs early on when you may have a restricted period of time to keep away from a disaster. You do that with a mini-game that consists of hitting switches in the correct order, urgent buttons on the appropriate time, and, worst of all, platforming with a set digital camera angle. The issue is far and wide. Sure segments drag and even repeat. It makes really getting by way of the sport fairly unenjoyable.

Ought to’ve employed a poet

Courageous Fencer Musashi is a type of video games that I sort of slogged by way of, completed, after which was left questioning why I loved it a lot. Then, as somebody who will typically bashfully check with themselves as a “critic,” it’s my job to determine what I favored about it after which put it into phrases. That’s kind of tough right here. For one factor, I consider I like Courageous Fencer Musashi a lot simply due to its normal vibe, however that’s one thing else that isn’t quantifiable.

Really, Courageous Fencer Musashi’s weaker factors really play out in its favor. The truth that its pacing is virtually damaged and its story is so weirdly non-conformist makes the entire expertise unpredictable. Energy-ups are given sporadically, however you don’t know what you’ll be getting or when. There are droughts with no modifications to your powerset and others the place they’re coming in quick. It’s value it to maintain taking part in since you by no means know what’s over that hill.

Any past that, it’s like residence. Grillin Village is a bit like Kattlelox Island from Mega Man Legends. Over time, it sort of grows on you, and it’s a snug feeling. The characters might not quantity to a lot within the time you spend with them, however they change into acquainted faces.

Courageous Fencer Musashi is only a particular kind of sport that pops up now and again. It’s just like the Darkish Cloud collection or Lethal Premonition; there’s an earnest heat underlying all the things. Possibly the sport itself gained’t rock your world, however you’ll keep in mind it fondly. And I feel past simply being a enjoyable diversion, that’s precisely what each sport ought to attempt for.

For different retro titles you might have missed, click on proper right here!

Zoey Handley

Employees Author – Zoey is a gaming gadabout. She received her begin running a blog with the group in 2018 and hit the entrance web page quickly after. Usually discovered exploring indie experiments and retro libraries, she does her finest to stay chronically uncool.

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