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''Micro Mages'' ([[https://store.steampowered.com/app/1065020/Micro_Mages/ Steam]], [[https://morphcatgames.itch.io/micromages Itch.io]]) is an [[IndieGame indie]] PlatformGame for the UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem made by Morphcat Games, released on April 30, 2019 in both ROM form and as a physical cartridge. Up to four players can play as mages on a quest to rescue their beloved Princess from a tower of demons.
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''Micro Mages'' ([[https://store.steampowered.com/app/1065020/Micro_Mages/ Steam]], [[https://morphcatgames.itch.io/micromages Itch.io]]) is an [[IndieGame indie]] PlatformGame for the UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem made by Morphcat Games, released on April 30, 2019 in both ROM digital form (with ROM included) and as a physical NES cartridge. Up to four players can play as mages on a quest to rescue their beloved Princess from a tower of demons.
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The game is stored in just 40 kilobytes, the maximum for NES cartridges at the time of its release. As such, it uses several optimization tricks to reduce memory, such as the plaer sprites being tiny (hence the title ''Micro Mages'').
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The game is stored in just 40 kilobytes, the maximum for NES cartridges at the time of its release. As such, it uses several optimization tricks to reduce memory, such as the plaer player sprites being tiny (hence the title ''Micro Mages'').
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* DefeatEqualsExplosion: Rather subtle with mooks but more pronounced with bosses.
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* ExcusePlot: Almost all of the entire plot is in the intro cutscene: mages need to rescue Princess from demon's fortress. A typical NES game plot [[spoiler:at first glance, but beating Hard Mode reveals that Princess is actually their dog.]]
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* SaveThePrincess: Implied but [[spoiler:parodied in the ending of Hard mode]].
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->''In long forgotten times… four mages set off to save their beloved Princess from the Demon Fortress.''
-->-- ''Micro Mages'' (intro screen)
A 2019 [[IndieGame indie]] [[PlatformGame platformer]] for the UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem made by Morphcat Games.
-->-- ''Micro Mages'' (intro screen)
A 2019 [[IndieGame indie]] [[PlatformGame platformer]] for the UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem made by Morphcat Games.
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-->-- '''Intro screen'''
''Micro Mages''
A 2019
The game is stored in just 40 kilobytes, the maximum for NES cartridges at the time of its release. As such, it uses several optimization tricks to reduce memory, such as the plaer sprites being tiny (hence the title ''Micro Mages'').
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* CrateExpectations: A key part of the level design.
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* {{Foreshadowing}}: See ''All There in the Manual''.
* GirlInTheTower: Implied and [[spoiler:parodied by revealing that “Princess” is actually a dog]].
* GirlInTheTower: Implied and [[spoiler:parodied by revealing that “Princess” is actually a dog]].
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* GirlInTheTower: Implied
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[[quoteright:266:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/micro_mages.png]]
->''In long forgotten times… four mages set off to save their beloved Princess from the Demon Fortress.''
-->-- ''Micro Mages'' (intro screen)
A 2019 [[IndieGame indie]] [[PlatformGame platformer]] for the UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem made by Morphcat Games.
----
!!This game provides examples of:
* AllThereInTheManual:
** The [[https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/steam/apps/1065020/manuals/MicroMages_Manual__Digital.pdf instruction manual]] explains the back story of the four mages. If you read closely, you’ll notice [[spoiler:that it always writes Princess with a capital P and without an article]], foreshadowing the ending.
** That also explains why the mages usually lock up their Princess inside whenever they’re away from home.
** On the same manual page, [[spoiler:an inconspicuous drawing of a bone]] is yet another dead giveaway.
* AutoScrollingLevel: The whole game, except for the first and last screen of every stage. Notably, the scrolling speed adapts to how quickly the player character ascends the tower.
* BossCorridor: A vertical passageway, bookended by trapdoors made of skulls.
* ChekhovsGag: Will dawn on you when you re-read the story in the manual after you beat the game in Hard mode.
* CobwebTrampoline: Ubiquitous in the first tower, Haunted Dungeon.
* ColorCodedMultiplayer: As explained in the [[https://youtu.be/ZWQ0591PAxM?t=2m46s making-of]], all sprites used in the game had to fit into 4 [=KiB=] of ROM.
* CrateExpectations: A key part of the level design.
* CutAndPasteEnvironments: Creatively averted. For example, the game engine mirrors the background horizontally due to memory constraints, but it allows level designers to shift the mirroring axis of every row of tiles individually. That trick helps keep the level design playable and appealing.
* DeadCharacterWalking: If you die during a multiplayer match, you get to continue playing as a ghost, which has limited actions but a chance to be resurrected.
* DefeatEqualsExplosion: Rather subtle with mooks but more pronounced with bosses.
* EvilTowerOfOminousness: The four towers of the Demon Fortress.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: See ''All There in the Manual''.
* GirlInTheTower: Implied and [[spoiler:parodied by revealing that “Princess” is actually a dog]].
* InformedEquipment: Averted. Even though the player character’s sprite is only 8×8 pixels, you can discern the item the mage is wielding.
* LevelGoal: A menacing portal with a skull and blinking lights.
* MadeOfPlasticine: Any damage sends the mage and their bloody remains flying across the screen.
* MultiplayerOnlyItem: The Warp Star, which allows you to switch position with another mage.
* OneHitPointWonder: Unless you power-up with a fairy or magic feather, any bit of damage kills you instantly.
* ProjectileSpell: The mage’s only weapon.
* ReadTheFreakingManual: The instruction booklet teaches you about Mega Spells, recoil jumps, releasing fairies and the Blood Bonds option. None of those techniques are really obvious during normal gameplay.
* {{Retraux}}: A 40 [=KiB=] ROM that runs on an actual NES. The cartridge version comes with a printed instruction booklet, just like they used to make ’em in the 80s.
* RobeAndWizardHat: The player character.
* RubberBandAI: If you fall behind, the auto-scrolling will slow down, and speed up again if you’re catching up.
* SaveThePrincess: Implied but [[spoiler:parodied in the ending of Hard mode]].
* ShadowedFaceGlowingEyes: The mage, largely due to design constraints inherent in 8×8-pixel sprites.
* SquishyWizard: The tiniest bit of damage will kill the mage, sending gibs around the screen.
* {{Teleportation}}: The pipes in Valhalla Tower. Also the Warp Star in the multiplayer game.
* TomatoSurprise: [[spoiler:“Princess” is a dog.]]
* TubeTravel: In the second world, Valhalla Tower.
* VictoryPose: The mage who scores the most points does a victory dance on the tally screen.
* WallJump: Key mechanic of the game.
* YouBreakItYouProfit: Destroying a {{checkpoint}} gives you 500 extra points.
->''In long forgotten times… four mages set off to save their beloved Princess from the Demon Fortress.''
-->-- ''Micro Mages'' (intro screen)
A 2019 [[IndieGame indie]] [[PlatformGame platformer]] for the UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem made by Morphcat Games.
----
!!This game provides examples of:
* AllThereInTheManual:
** The [[https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/steam/apps/1065020/manuals/MicroMages_Manual__Digital.pdf instruction manual]] explains the back story of the four mages. If you read closely, you’ll notice [[spoiler:that it always writes Princess with a capital P and without an article]], foreshadowing the ending.
** That also explains why the mages usually lock up their Princess inside whenever they’re away from home.
** On the same manual page, [[spoiler:an inconspicuous drawing of a bone]] is yet another dead giveaway.
* AutoScrollingLevel: The whole game, except for the first and last screen of every stage. Notably, the scrolling speed adapts to how quickly the player character ascends the tower.
* BossCorridor: A vertical passageway, bookended by trapdoors made of skulls.
* ChekhovsGag: Will dawn on you when you re-read the story in the manual after you beat the game in Hard mode.
* CobwebTrampoline: Ubiquitous in the first tower, Haunted Dungeon.
* ColorCodedMultiplayer: As explained in the [[https://youtu.be/ZWQ0591PAxM?t=2m46s making-of]], all sprites used in the game had to fit into 4 [=KiB=] of ROM.
* CrateExpectations: A key part of the level design.
* CutAndPasteEnvironments: Creatively averted. For example, the game engine mirrors the background horizontally due to memory constraints, but it allows level designers to shift the mirroring axis of every row of tiles individually. That trick helps keep the level design playable and appealing.
* DeadCharacterWalking: If you die during a multiplayer match, you get to continue playing as a ghost, which has limited actions but a chance to be resurrected.
* DefeatEqualsExplosion: Rather subtle with mooks but more pronounced with bosses.
* EvilTowerOfOminousness: The four towers of the Demon Fortress.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: See ''All There in the Manual''.
* GirlInTheTower: Implied and [[spoiler:parodied by revealing that “Princess” is actually a dog]].
* InformedEquipment: Averted. Even though the player character’s sprite is only 8×8 pixels, you can discern the item the mage is wielding.
* LevelGoal: A menacing portal with a skull and blinking lights.
* MadeOfPlasticine: Any damage sends the mage and their bloody remains flying across the screen.
* MultiplayerOnlyItem: The Warp Star, which allows you to switch position with another mage.
* OneHitPointWonder: Unless you power-up with a fairy or magic feather, any bit of damage kills you instantly.
* ProjectileSpell: The mage’s only weapon.
* ReadTheFreakingManual: The instruction booklet teaches you about Mega Spells, recoil jumps, releasing fairies and the Blood Bonds option. None of those techniques are really obvious during normal gameplay.
* {{Retraux}}: A 40 [=KiB=] ROM that runs on an actual NES. The cartridge version comes with a printed instruction booklet, just like they used to make ’em in the 80s.
* RobeAndWizardHat: The player character.
* RubberBandAI: If you fall behind, the auto-scrolling will slow down, and speed up again if you’re catching up.
* SaveThePrincess: Implied but [[spoiler:parodied in the ending of Hard mode]].
* ShadowedFaceGlowingEyes: The mage, largely due to design constraints inherent in 8×8-pixel sprites.
* SquishyWizard: The tiniest bit of damage will kill the mage, sending gibs around the screen.
* {{Teleportation}}: The pipes in Valhalla Tower. Also the Warp Star in the multiplayer game.
* TomatoSurprise: [[spoiler:“Princess” is a dog.]]
* TubeTravel: In the second world, Valhalla Tower.
* VictoryPose: The mage who scores the most points does a victory dance on the tally screen.
* WallJump: Key mechanic of the game.
* YouBreakItYouProfit: Destroying a {{checkpoint}} gives you 500 extra points.
