![Battle Commander - Hachibushuu, Shura no Heihou [Model SHVC-BC] screenshot](images/game/61064_2.png "Battle Commander - Hachibushuu, Shura no Heihou [Model SHVC-BC]")
Battle Commander - Hachibushuu, Shura no Heihou © 1991 Banpresto
Battle Commander is an ambitious and often overlooked real-time strategy (RTS) game set in a futuristic, dystopian Japan. The narrative follows a rebellion against a technologically advanced, tyrannical empire. Players control a team of diverse commanders, each leading their own unique unit—ranging from mechs and cyborgs to more traditional warriors—across expansive, multi-tiered maps. The game distinguishes itself by blending real-time unit management with squad-based combat, forcing players to juggle micromanagement of individual units while maintaining a broader strategic vision to secure objective-based victories.
![Goodies for Battle Commander - Hachibushuu, Shura no Heihou [Model SHVC-BC]](images/covermini160/61064_1.jpg)
GAME ID: SHVC-BC
Pioneer of Console RTS: At a time when the Real-Time Strategy genre was primarily the domain of PC gaming, Battle Commander was a bold attempt to bring similar mechanics to the Super Famicom. It demonstrated that with careful design, a console controller could effectively manage complex battlefield interactions, even if the "mouse-and-keyboard" precision was absent.
A "Banpresto" Classic: Banpresto was famous for their experimental approach to licensed and original properties, often blending genres that seemed incompatible. Battle Commander fits perfectly into their catalog, showcasing a high level of ambition and a refusal to stick to the standard platformer or fighting molds that dominated the early 90s console landscape.
Complex Unit Synergy: The Hachibushuu (Eight Warrior Factions) each have distinct strengths and weaknesses. Success depends not just on force, but on understanding the "rock-paper-scissors" dynamics between unit types. Managing how your mechs support your infantry against specific enemy defenses adds a significant layer of depth that rewards tactical planning.
Cinematic Scope: Despite technical limitations, the game attempts to convey a sense of epic, large-scale conflict through its UI and mission briefings. The dialogue between the various commanders adds a layer of character-driven drama, helping to ground the often abstract nature of RTS warfare in a compelling story about resistance and survival.
A Steep Learning Curve: The game is notorious for being difficult for newcomers. Without the modern conveniences of tutorials or user-friendly interface design, players had to learn the intricacies of unit positioning and resource allocation through trial and error. This high bar for entry has cemented its status as a hardcore enthusiast's title.
The "Shura" Aesthetic: The title references Shura (a state of perpetual, often violent conflict in Buddhist cosmology), which perfectly reflects the game's brutal, unforgiving tone. The visual design leans into a dark, gritty sci-fi aesthetic that contrasts sharply with the colorful, mascot-driven games that were otherwise popular in 1991.
