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Brain Lord is an action role-playing game developed by Produce! (Japanese video game company) and published by Enix for the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom. The game was released exclusively in Japan and North America, making it a unique addition to the SNES library.

While Brain Lord might not have the popularity of titles like Secret of Mana or other Enix-published classics like Illusion of Gaia and SoulBlazer, it remains a hidden gem worth exploring. Though it may not be as refined well, the game offers a unique experience that deserves at least some of our gaming attention.

Japan only box cover art (Image source)

The Story

Step into a world covered in mystery, where dragons once flew alongside humans, and the blood of Dragon Warriors flows in you. As the last of your kind, it falls to you to continue the quest your father failed to do: to uncover the fate of the Ancient Dragons. The path ahead is full of puzzles and challenges that will test your mind and courage, enough to push even the most hardy of heroes to the edge of madness.

Questions cloud your thoughts: What lies ahead? Where do you begin? What secrets will you unearth? A Dark Presence looms, awaiting your arrival. Do you have the wit to solve the riddles, the strength to endure the trials, and the resolve to uncover the truth?

The answer will determine your fate. Are you truly a Brain Lord? Time will only tell…

Box and cartridge of the game. (Image source)

The Graphics and Sound

The graphics here do not leave much to discuss. Clearly, visuals were not the priority in its development. There are no nice cutscenes or eye-candy special effects, and character movement is limited to just a few animation frames. However, one small detail stood out: while exploring outdoors, players can see the shadows of clouds moving overhead. It is a minor touch, but details like this can bring a little depth and atmosphere to an otherwise simple game world.

As for the sound, it only slightly tops over the graphics. The background music is fine and atmospheric, enhancing the setting without becoming overbearing or earfully annoying. Sound effects, while unremarkable, fit the tone of the game and do the job fairly. A noteworthy touch is the difference in weapon sounds; each weapon seems to have its own distinct audio cue. It is a nice, little feature.

https://youtu.be/m4OreVjtkNU?si=N-ILMQDYskLLuBsq Gameplay video sample of Brain Lord on the SNES. Watch in 360p for near TV resolution of that time.

The Gameplay

The gameplay in Brain Lord's attraction is due to its engaging and often challenging puzzles. These obstacles, like those of action and side-scrolling games, add a unique twist to the RPG genre, making the gameplay dynamic and fun. However, the puzzles and challenges can be repetitive at times, and certain sections, like the dark chambers in the Platinum Shrine, might frustrate some players despite their mystery.

Interestingly, the game does not follow the traditional RPG leveling system. Players don’t level up their main character, which can appeal to those who hate grinding. Instead, you focus on leveling up your fairies: Helpful companions with unique abilities like increasing attack power, healing, boosting defense, or attacking enemies with fireballs. However, you are limited to using only two fairies at a time. Combat and earning money for better equipment add some progression, but they do not demand too much of your time.

Magic also plays a role, but it deviates from the norm. There’s no MP to worry about—spells require a charge instead, which adds a bit of strategy. However, the spells themselves can feel kind of repetitive.

Unfortunately, Brain Lord has some shortcomings, particularly with its length. The game feels too short, with certain elements like the village east of Toronto, or the spell "Entropy" has never being fully realized. These limited features could have added much-needed content and extended the adventure.

Replayability is mediocre. While Brain Lord is enjoyable to play and beat, it doesn’t offer much incentive for replaying. There are no unlockable features or bonus content to discover after completing it, unlike other RPGs. The only potential reason to replay is to gather all treasures you may have missed the first time, but that alone might not justify a second playthrough

My Verdict

While it may not be a surprise hit game masterpiece, Brain Lord offers a great mix of puzzle-solving and action-packed combat. If you are a fan of games that challenge both your brain and your reflexes while balancing strategy with battling a variety of enemies using different weapons, Brain Lord might just be that game you are looking for.

Play it on the mighty Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on a simple emulator.

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