Games published by Nihon Falcom Corp.
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We provide a complete list of games published by this publisher.
Brandish 2: The Planet Buster
Brandish 2: The Planet Buster, released in 1993 for the PC-98, is a dungeon-crawling RPG that still holds up as a beloved title among die-hard fans of the series. Developed and published by Nihon Falcom, this game takes players on an epic journey through a mysterious and dangerous world, filled with challenging puzzles, fearsome enemies, and unforgettable boss battles.
The game follows the story of Ares Toraernos, a young warrior who is on a quest to find the legendary weapon known as the Planet Buster. He must traverse through six levels of increasingly difficult dungeons and overcome various obstacles in order to reach his ultimate goal. Along the way, he will encounter different allies who will aid him in his journey, each with their own unique abilities and fighting styles.
One of the standout features of Brandish 2 is its innovative dungeon design. Unlike traditional RPGs, the dungeons in this game are presented in a 3D format, giving players a full 360-degree view of their surroundings. This adds a level of depth and immersion that was unheard of at the time of its release. The game also features a mechanic known as the "infinity corridor," where players must navigate through a series of interconnected rooms and switch levers to find the correct path. This adds a challenging and strategic element to the gameplay, keeping players on their toes at all times.
Another aspect that sets Brandish 2 apart from other RPGs of its time is its unique combat system. Instead of the traditional turn-based battles, players must engage in real-time combat, maneuvering around enemies and using a combination of attacks, magic, and items to defeat them. This fast-paced and dynamic combat adds a layer of excitement and tension to the gameplay, making each battle a thrilling experience.
In terms of visuals, Brandish 2 boasts impressive graphics for its time. The character sprites are well-detailed, and the environments are beautifully rendered, giving the game a dark and ominous atmosphere. The soundtrack, composed by the renowned Yuzo Koshiro, perfectly complements the game's atmosphere and adds to the overall immersive experience.
Despite its challenging gameplay and steep learning curve, Brandish 2 received critical acclaim upon its release. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, engaging storyline, and stunning visuals. The game's success led to its port on various other platforms, including the Super Nintendo and the PlayStation. It also spawned a sequel, Brandish 3, which was released in 1994.
Brandish 4
Brandish 4, released in 1998, is a noteworthy entry in the action role-playing game genre, captivating players with its intricately designed labyrinths and engaging combat mechanics. Developed by the Japanese company Falcom, this installment in the Brandish series offers a unique blend of adventure, puzzles, and RPG elements that resonate with fans of both old-school and modern gaming. Set in a fantastical world brimming with mysterious lore and challenging foes, Brandish 4 pushes players to navigate a complex narrative while honing their skills in a richly detailed environment.
At its core, the game tells the story of a young warrior named Ares, who finds himself ensnared in a perilous situation after falling into a deep chasm. Players guide Ares through a series of dungeons, each filled with formidable creatures and cunning traps. The combat system is particularly engaging, allowing players to unleash a variety of attacks, from melee strikes to magical spells. The game rewards strategic thinking; understanding enemy patterns and exploiting environmental features often proves crucial in overcoming challenges.
One of the standout features of Brandish 4 is its engaging puzzle design. Each dungeon presents not only enemies but also brain-teasing obstacles that must be solved to progress. This blend of combat and puzzles creates a distinctive gameplay experience, encouraging players to think creatively. The game’s design promotes exploration, with hidden secrets and loot scattered throughout the twisting corridors and rooms, urging players to thoroughly scrutinize their surroundings.
Aesthetically, Brandish 4 boasts impressive graphics for its time, featuring beautifully hand-drawn sprites and detailed backgrounds that bring the world to life. The vibrant color palette and dynamic animations enhance immersion, making every encounter feel vital. The soundtrack complements the engaging visuals, delivering evocative melodies that heighten the emotional stakes and atmosphere as players delve deeper into the game’s rich narrative.
While it may not have achieved mainstream acclaim, Brandish 4 has garnered a dedicated following over the years. Its unique combination of action, strategy, and immersive storytelling has solidified its place in the hearts of many gamers. For those willing to delve into its depths, the game offers an experience that expertly balances excitement with cerebral challenges, ensuring that every moment spent in Ares' shoes is filled with adventure and discovery.
Brandish 4 remains an exceptional title within the action RPG landscape, showcasing Falcom's renowned ability to create engrossing gameplay experiences. With its captivating plot, intricate puzzle-solving elements, and a combat system that rewards skill and strategy, this game is a fascinating journey for gamers looking for depth and complexity.
Brandish VT
Brandish VT is a PC-98 game that was released back in 1996 and quickly became a fan favorite among gamers. Developed by Nihon Falcom, this action role-playing game takes players on a thrilling adventure through a mysterious underground world filled with dangerous creatures and powerful magic.
One of the most striking features of Brandish VT is its unique 3D map system. Unlike many other top-down RPGs of the time, Brandish VT allows players to rotate and tilt the map to gain a better perspective of their surroundings. This added level of immersion and depth adds a whole new level of challenge to the already intense gameplay.
Another standout aspect of Brandish VT is its impressive graphics and sound design. The pixel art and animations are beautifully detailed and add to the overall ambiance of the game. The soundtrack, composed by the legendary Yuzo Koshiro, perfectly complements the action and heightens the tension as players navigate through treacherous dungeons and face off against formidable foes.
In terms of gameplay, Brandish VT offers an impressive level of customization and strategy. Players can choose from four different classes, each with their own unique strengths and abilities. This allows for a varied and dynamic playthrough experience, as players can experiment with different playstyles and tactics.
Brandish VT is a must-play for fans of action RPGs and the PC-98 platform. Its captivating story, innovative gameplay mechanics, and stunning visuals make it a standout title in the genre. Even after all these years, it remains a beloved classic among retro gaming enthusiasts and continues to be a source of inspiration for modern games.
Dinosaur
The release of Dinosaur in 1990 for the FM Towns game console was a monumental moment for video game enthusiasts. Developed by Dynamix and published by Japan Victor Company, this action-packed game centered around the concept of time-travel and dinosaurs. With stunning graphics and a unique storyline, Dinosaur immediately captured the attention of players worldwide and solidified its place in gaming history.
One of the most captivating aspects of Dinosaur was its time-travel feature. Players controlled a character named Hank, who found himself transported to a prehistoric world while on an expedition to find treasure. This allowed for a diverse and ever-changing landscape, as players navigated through multiple eras, encountering different types of dinosaurs along the way. The attention to detail and accuracy in depicting these ancient creatures was highly praised by both players and critics alike.
The gameplay of Dinosaur was equally impressive. The game incorporated elements of both action and adventure, as players had to fight off dinosaurs while also solving puzzles to progress through the game. This added a layer of complexity and challenge, ensuring that players wouldn't become easily bored. The controls were smooth and responsive, allowing for fluid movement and precise combat actions. The game also featured a dynamic soundtrack, adding to the immersive experience.
One notable feature of Dinosaur was its use of FM Towns' advanced hardware capabilities. The game utilized high-resolution graphics and 3D effects that were ahead of its time. The attention to detail in the graphics was evident, making the prehistoric world feel incredibly realistic. This, combined with the seamless transitions and smooth animations, further enhanced the gameplay experience. Dinosaur truly pushed the boundaries of what was possible on the FM Towns console.
The success of Dinosaur also spawned a sequel, Dinosaur: The Lost Island, in 1991. This follow-up game continued the story of Hank as he traveled to a remote island inhabited by even more menacing dinosaurs. The Lost Island maintained the same high-quality gameplay and graphics as its predecessor, solidifying Dinosaur's standing as an essential game for FM Towns players.
Dinosaur Resurrection
Dinosaur Resurrection, a Windows title released in 2002 by a small studio named Emberbyte, occupies a peculiar corner of early 3D adventure games. The premise fuses paleontology with speculative science as players follow archaeologist Dr. Lina Hart through a landscape of deserts, swamps, and ruined sanctuaries where revived specimens wander in uneasy semi awareness. Visuals lean toward blocky polygons and muted palettes that recall late era PC hardware, yet a surprising attention to texture and weather gives the world a tactile feel. The game invites curiosity more than spectacle, asking you to peel back layers of history while dodging ethical quagmires.
Gameplay centers on careful exploration and puzzle solving rather than pure action. You navigate labyrinthine ruins, subterranean tunnels, and open plateaus where the revived fauna console their own primitive instincts. Platforming segments prefer a light touch rather than flash, turning jumps into deliberate tests of timing. Inventory management plays a quiet but persistent role, as you assemble fossil fragments, relic keys, and makeshift devices to unlock ancient vaults. Encountered dinosaurs respond to heat, noise, and your presence with surprising nervous caution, creating tense encounters where stealth, not brute force, wins the day. The camera lurks, but never fully betrays you.
The narrative threads weave through ruins and dry campfire monologues that hint at a forbidden science consensus. A recurring voiceover voices ethics and consequence, prompting choices that ripple into later chapters. Soundtrack blends bone-dry percussion with distant roars and soft wind, creating an atmosphere that feels both ancient and eerily modern. Its pacing leans toward reflective quiet rather than adrenaline surges, rewarding patience with small revelations about the species you coax back from the void. Critics at the time praised the mood and ambition, while acknowledging rough edges in AI routines and occasional fraying corners of the engine. under pressure.
In the end this Windows relic remains a tactile reminder of experimental design from an era when developers chased novelty with limited tools and unbounded curiosity. It may feel quaint by contemporary standards, yet its stubborn charm lingers, inviting curious players to imagine alternate histories where science and myth wrestle without clear winners. If you crave a retro excursion that respects your patience and rewards exploration, Dinosaur Resurrection offers a compact, idiosyncratic journey worth revisiting. It stands as a testament to how a small team can sculpt atmosphere and ideas into a game that outlives its pixel count today.
Dragon Slayer
Dragon Slayer, released in 1984, is considered one of the most pioneering role-playing games (RPGs) of all time. It was developed by Nihon Falcom Corporation for the PC-88 and PC-98 personal computers.
The premise of Dragon Slayer is incredibly simple. The player takes control of a lone warrior and their mission is to traverse dangerous lands and slay a dragon. However, the execution of this mission is far from simple. This is due to the varied environment, the sheer amount of enemies, and the range of weapons and armor that the player must locate in order to ensure their success.
The inventory system in the game is designed with great detail. Each weapon or piece of armor can have their own special abilities and power, so players will need to consider carefully which weaponry is ideal for each task. In addition, the game also features a health system, with food items that can be used to restore the player’s health when needed.
The enemies in Dragon Slayer are similarly detailed—they range from trolls, boars, and spiders to tougher opponents such as demons, dragons, and powerful wizards. Most of the enemy encounters are based on luck, but with a little knowledge of the environment, the player can outsmart some opponents. Every enemy drop is randomized and money can be hard to come by, and so players may need to grind for a while in order to make enough money to purchase a certain item or upgrade their armor.
Dragon Slayer is an absolute classic and is one of the pillars of the RPG genre. Its immense levels of challenge and the deep versatility of its gameplay offer both veterans and newcomers to the RPG genre a unique and enjoyable experience. For those looking to delve into the lucrative and exciting world of role-playing games, Dragon Slayer is the perfect starting point.
Falcom Classics II
Falcom Classics II is a gem of a game released in 1998 for the SEGA Saturn. Developed by Nihon Falcom, this collection features remastered versions of three classic titles - Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes, Lord Monarch, and Popful Mail. Each game offers unique gameplay and challenges, making it a must-have for any SEGA Saturn owner.
Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes is a role-playing game that takes players on an epic journey to defeat a powerful demon lord. With its engaging storyline and immersive gameplay, it was a hit among RPG fans. Additionally, the remastered version added new cutscenes and improved visuals, making it even more enjoyable for players.
Lord Monarch, on the other hand, is a real-time strategy game that puts players in control of their own kingdom. With its vast map and intricate battle system, players must strategize and conquer other territories to expand their own kingdom. The remastered version also includes new features such as updated AI and improved graphics, making it a challenging and rewarding experience.
Last but not least, Popful Mail is a side-scrolling action game that follows the adventures of a bounty hunter named Mail. With its fast-paced gameplay and colorful graphics, it quickly became a fan favorite. The remastered version includes new voice acting and additional levels, making it a nostalgia-inducing journey for old fans and a thrilling experience for new players.
Falcom Classics II is a must-play for any SEGA Saturn fan. With a diverse collection of remastered classics, it offers something for every type of player. Whether you're a fan of RPGs, strategy games, or action games, this collection has got you covered. So dust off your SEGA Saturn and immerse yourself in the nostalgic world of Falcom Classics II. You won't be disappointed.
Legacy of the Wizard
Released in 1987, Legacy of the Wizard was a side-scrolling action role-playing game developed by Japanese company Nihon Falcom for the MSX platform. It was also later ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and the PlayStation 2. The game was a part of the popular Dragon Slayer series, known for their challenging gameplay and engaging fantasy storylines.
The game is set in the kingdom of Alefgard, where the player takes on the role of a family of adventurers. The family consists of five members: a warrior, wizard, thief, amazon, and a dragon. Each member possesses unique abilities and has a specific purpose in the game. The player must switch between them to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and progress through the game's maze-like dungeons.
One of the most notable features of Legacy of the Wizard was its expansive world and non-linear gameplay. Unlike most games of the time, which followed a linear path, this game allowed players to explore the vast kingdom of Alefgard in any order they wished. This added an element of freedom and strategy to the game, as players had to carefully plan their routes and make use of each character's skills to navigate through the challenging dungeons.
The game's graphics were praised for their vibrant and detailed design, showcasing the game's fantasy setting. The soundtrack, composed by renowned Japanese composer Yuzo Koshiro, added to the game's immersive atmosphere. The combination of visuals and music helped to captivate players and draw them into the game's story.
One of the unique aspects of Legacy of the Wizard was its emphasis on teamwork and puzzle-solving. Each character's skills were crucial in discovering hidden passages and unlocking secrets throughout the game. The game's difficulty level was also remarked upon, as it required both skill and critical thinking to progress through the game's increasingly complex dungeons.
Legacy of the Wizard received positive reviews upon its release, with many praising its non-linear gameplay, graphics, and soundtrack. The game also won several awards, including the 1988 Golden Joystick Award for the best puzzle game. It is still considered a cult classic among retro gamers and remains a beloved title in the Dragon Slayer series.
Mona²: Monarch Monarch
Hidden in the shadowed annals of late 1990s PC gaming lies Mona squared Monarch Monarch, a Windows adventure that drifted under mainstream notice despite its peculiar charm. Released in 1998 by an indie studio whose name flickered in the margins of gaming magazines, the title grafted a playful mathematical motif onto a fantasy world. Players slipped into the shoes of Mona, a seer linguist who navigates a realm where monarchs are not just rulers but riddles. The game blended noir whimsy with fairy tale logic, inviting exploration rather than dominance, and rewarded curiosity with enigmatic rewards rather than straightforward answers.
Engineering wise the title leaned on the classic point and click DNA, mounting the action on richly rendered backdrops placed in a mosaic of dim greens and copper tones. Puzzles hinged on language puzzles, symbol decoding, and environmental interaction, pushing players to correlate glyphs with relics scattered across the map. Inventory management was minimal yet purposeful, with each item curiously linked to the lore and capable of triggering alternating pathways. The user interface favored a clean panel, crisp cursors, and an unobtrusive compass that suggested hidden doors rather than shouting them out loud.
Audio design carried a warm analog texture; synth tones mingled with chamber strings, creating a lilting score that felt both antique and futuristic. Voice samples arrived in small doses, giving Mona moments of wit and resolve without ever breaking the shy, almost elusive tone of the narrative. Visuals leaned into painterly textures, soft halos around lamplight, and shadows that suggested secrets without revealing them. The monarch motif refracted through every scene, from throne rooms to windblown courtyards, turning political intrigue into a puzzle of loyalties and signals.
Reception and afterlife: Mona squared Monarch Monarch earned a affectionate niche status among puzzle fans who prefer quiet labyrinths over loud spectacle. Critics praised its ambition though sometimes chafed at its obtuseness, calling it brave but austere. In the years since, it slipped into the catalog of abandonedware treasures, its executable accessible on archive sites and fan remasters. The game left a subtle imprint on design sensibilities by proving that a narrative can coexist with play without shouting for attention. For collectors and nostalgists it remains a curious relic that rewards patient curiosity and careful reading.
