History VideoGame / MagicSwordHeroicFantasy

''Magic Sword: Heroic Fantasy'' is a MedievalEuropeanFantasy-themed side-scrolling HackAndSlash PlatformGame developed by Creator/{{Capcom}} for [[UsefulNotes/ArcadeGame arcades]] in 1990, and ported for the {{UsefulNotes/SNES}} in 1992 as ''Magic Sword'', albeit losing what was probably its main draw: the option for a two-player cooperative game. Outside that, the only other notable element of the game is the use of {{Assist Character}}s: eight different characters ([[TheSmurfettePrinciple Amazon]], [[TheBigGuy Bigman]], [[WhiteMage Priest]], [[{{Necromancer}} Wizard]], [[GentlemanThief Thief]], {{Ninja}}, Knight and [[LizardFolk Lizard Man]]--[[VideoGame/SoulSeries not that one]]) held captive behind doors found all throughout each stage, which the player can open with keys he gets from treasure chests. Each helper has its own strength and weakness (and some even special abilities), and they gain levels by picking certain items. The player can't control his partner's movements, and they only attack when the main character attacks on his own.

* SpikesOfDoom: Several stages have them, and are especially bothersome if you drop your sword among them. They are also used in later bosses' chambers to [[JustForPun spike up]] the challenge.

* AssistCharacter: The eight helpers.

* BarbarianHero: Both main characters, specially Alan/Player 1.

* TheBeastMaster: The sage who sics his "children", the Giant Worms, against you.
* BigBad: The Evil Lord Drokmar.

* EvilOverlord: '''Evil Lord''' Drokmar.
* EvilSorcerer: Lord Drokmar and his five sages.
* EvilTowerOfOminousness: The Dragon Keep.

* {{Golem}}: A type of GiantMook.

* PowerFloats: Drokmar.

** PoisonMushroom[=/=]PowerUpLetDown: '''Black''' upside-down hearts gave the player points but '''cost''' the partner a level! If you want to make the most of ''these'', don't touch them, but have a diamond ring ready (you can then get the thief that tries to take it to join you with the ring). Also, scissors give you points ''but'' release that partner from you, leaving you stuck with whoever gave you the scissors.

* ShoutOut: In ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'', one of [[VideoGame/ForgottenWorlds Sylphie]]'s skills is named after the game.
* TheSmurfettePrinciple: Ten good guys, one woman.

* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: The Black Orb causes this.

* BladeOnAStick: The Knight throws spears.

* EenieMeenieMinyMoai: One mook type, first appearing in Level 2, is a fire-breathing, moving Moai head.

* AnAxeToGrind: The Bigman has a [[DoubleWeapon double-edged axe]], which he swings like a boomerang. The second player gets a more common big axe.

* AutomaticCrossbow: The Amazon.

* NippleAndDimed: While the Amazon in-game wears [[AbsoluteCleavage a plunging]] [[LeotardOfPower unitard]], the game's artwork portrays her [[https://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090802015811/capcomdatabase/images/8/84/MagicSwordArt.png in a skimpy bra with an obvious nipslip.]]

* ChargeMeter: A bar on the HUD accumulates over a couple seconds' time and empties when the player character attacks. When the meter fills half way and turns red, an attack shoots out a weak projectile. When the meter fully fills, an attack shoots out a strong projectile. Every attack fully drains the meter.

* ChargeMeter: A bar on the HUD accumulates over a couple seconds' time and empties when the player character attacks. When the bar fills, the attack shoots out a projectile.

* KnifeNut: The Cloaked Wraith {{Mooks}}.

* AllThereInTheManual: While the English version of the game opted for EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep, [[http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~dummy/gamest/magazine/gamest/v081.html Japanese side materials]] as well as the Super Famicom manual [[https://capcom.fandom.com/wiki/Magic_Sword#Characters actually gave names to the heroes beyond their professions]] as well as backstories.

* AutomaticCrossbow: The Amazon.

* {{Crossover}}: Alan, Drokmar and a few of the game's characters and enemies appear in the quiz game ''Adventure Quiz: Capcom World 2'' as challengers.
* DegradedBoss: A PaletteSwap of the first dragon boss appears later as a GiantMook.

* EveryManHasHisPrice: If a player has a diamond ring as his active item, he can turn thieves and lizardmen to his side. This can help if he already has a thief or a lizardman as his partner; the newly turned would have two more levels in skill than his partner.

* FantasyCharacterClasses: All the helpers are designed in line with basic archetypes.
* {{Golem}}: A type of GiantMook.

* HyperactiveMetabolism

* InexplicableTreasureChests

* MadBomber: The Thief.

* MultipleEndings: The game offers two. You are given the choice to [[spoiler:take the Black Orb and become the next Evil Lord, or shatter it and free the land of its influence]].
* {{Mummy}}: Minor enemies.

* OneUp: The Yashichi as with many other Capcom arcade games has this effect, adding one entire lifebar and change.

* PaletteSwap: All {{Mook}}s get atleast one halfway through the game, as well as most bosses.
* PinballProjectile: The Ninja's shurikens eventually turn into these.
* PlayingWithFire: The wand item grants the title Magic Sword the ability to shoot high-powered fireballs for a limited amount of time. The magic sword, Fire Sword, also give the player the ability to shoot fireballs.

* PowerUp: For your partner, hearts. Blue hearts healed, red hearts let them gain a level (they started at 1 and topped out at 8). But be careful...

* ShockAndAwe: The last magic sword you get is the Thunder Sword. Instead of shooting out a fireball, when your meter is fully instead of a fireball, the sword shoots a long stream of lightning.

* SpikeBallsOfDoom: Giant ceiling-chained spikeballs are common obstacles in a few floors.
* SpikesOfDoom: Several stages has them, and are especially bothersome if your sword falls just among them. They are also used in later bosses' chambers to [[JustForPun spike up]] the challenge.

* WeaponsKitchenSink: The weapons gained from defeating bosses range from a broadsword to a scimitar, to even a [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana]].

* NippleAndDimed: While the Amazon in-game wears [[AbsoluteCleavage a plunging]] [[LeotardOfPower unitard]], the game's artwork portrays her [[http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090802015811/capcomdatabase/images/8/84/MagicSwordArt.png in a skimpy bra with an obvious nipslip.]]

* AmazonianBeauty: The Amazon, though her physique varies between her in-game sprites and artwork (with [[https://capcom.fandom.com/wiki/File:FFDIAmazon.png the art]] for the ''Double Impact'' release perhaps being the most notable example). Ironically, her class is not geared towards direct combat, [[GuysSmashGirlsShoot instead brandishing a crossbow]].

[[caption-width-right:350:[[NotMakingItUpDisclaimer That was literally the cover.]] Though, the [[https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/flyers_video/capcom/png/10023901.png Japanese version]] looked a bit better.]]

''Magic Sword: Heroic Fantasy'' is a MedievalEuropeanFantasy-themed side-scrolling HackAndSlash PlatformGame developed by Creator/{{Capcom}} for [[UsefulNotes/ArcadeGame arcades]] in 1990, and ported for the {{UsefulNotes/SNES}} in 1992 as ''Magic Sword'', albeit losing what was probably its main draw: the option for a two-player cooperative game. Outside that, the only other notable element of the game is the use of {{Assist Character}}s: eight different characters ([[TheSmurfettePrinciple Amazon]], [[TheBigGuy Bigman]], [[WhiteMage Priest]], [[{{Necromancer}} Wizard]], [[GentlemanThief Thief]], {{Ninja}}, Knight and [[LizardFolk Lizard Man]]) held captive behind doors found all throughout each stage, which the player can open with keys he gets from treasure chests. Each helper has its own strength and weakness (and some even special abilities), and they gain levels by picking certain items. The player can't control his partner's movements, and they only attack when the main character attacks on his own.

The story is set in a nameless world, which is being oppressed by the resurrected Evil Lord Drokmar and his armies of ghouls and monsters. Drokmar's immense evil power comes from an [[McGuffin artifact]] known as the Black Orb, a crystal that has increased the Evil Lord's powers significantly. By request of the ruler of the land, the main character (originally "[[NoNameGiven The Brave One]]", later named Alan) accepts to destroy the orb and bring light back to the lands. But in order to do it, he'll need to ascend the 50-story Dragon Keep and defeat Drokmar's five sages, claiming the [[TitleDrop Magic Swords]] in their possession so he'll have a fighting chance against Drokmar, [[OrcusOnHisThrone awaiting in floor 50]].

* BlindIdiotTranslation: A bit too much on the Engrish side of things. The US version of the game retranslates things, and while the writing is still simplistic, it is much more readable. The translator would eventually go on to join the staff of Creator/MidwayGames, presumably as a writing supervisor.
** "Lizardman - Becomes an ally only when ''brided'' with a diamond ring." Perhaps the translator meant "bribed" or "bridled", or maybe you really are marrying the lizardman.

* EenieMeenieMinyMoai: One mook type, first appearing on level 2, is a fire-breathing, moving Moai head.

* {{Engrish}}: Some of the pleas for help from behind locked doors, like "Get me escape!" And "Get rid of me!" is almost certainly not what they meant to say.

* KnifeNut: The Cloaked Wraith {{Mook}}s

* NippleAndDimed: While the Amazon in-game wears [[AbsoluteCleavage a plunging unitard]], the game's artwork portrays her [[http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090802015811/capcomdatabase/images/8/84/MagicSwordArt.png in a skimpy bra with an obvious nipslip]].