Line #27 VideoGame/MagicSwordHeroicFantasy


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/magic_sword_heroic_fantasy.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:[[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer This was literally the cover.]] Though, the [[https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/flyers_video/capcom/png/10023901.png Japanese version]] looked a bit better.]]
3	->''"Thank you!"''
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5	''Magic Sword: Heroic Fantasy'' is a MedievalEuropeanFantasy-themed side-scrolling HackAndSlash PlatformGame developed by Creator/{{Capcom}} for [[MediaNotes/ArcadeGame arcades]] in 1990, and ported for the {{Platform/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.
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7	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 on Floor 50]].
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9	Outside a few Capcom compilation games, ''Magic Sword'' reappeared in 2008 as a port for mobile phones, and 2010 when it saw a re-release as a bonus bundled with the HD remake of ''VideoGame/FinalFight''.
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11	[[SimilarlyNamedWorks Not to be confused]] with the old live-action film ''Film/TheMagicSword''.
12
13	!!This game provides examples of:
14	* OneUp: The Yashichi as with many other Capcom arcade games has this effect, adding one entire lifebar and change.
15	* 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.
16	* AmazonianBeauty: The Amazon, though her physique varies between her in-game sprites and artwork (with [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/capcomdatabase/images/3/39/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]].
17	* ArtifactOfDoom: The Black Orb, which is said to grant its wielder immortality and great power, but it also seems to twist the user's mind and turn him really evil.
18	%%* AssistCharacter: The eight helpers.
19	* AttractMode: It provides details about recruitable partners and the effects of power-ups.
20	* AutomaticCrossbow: The Amazon. It starts out firing one bolt at a time, but as she gains levels it starts firing more bolts at a time.
21	%%* BarbarianHero: Both main characters, specially Alan/Player 1.
22	* BearsAreBadNews: Minor enemies, in both [[PaletteSwap grizzly and polar variations]].
23	%%* TheBeastMaster: The sage who sics his "children", the Giant Worms, against you.
24	%%* BigBad: The Evil Lord Drokmar.
25	* BlindIdiotTranslation:
26	** 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.
27	** "Lizardman - Becomes an ally only when ''brided'' with a diamond ring." Perhaps the translator meant "bribed" or "bridled", or maybe you really are [[InterspeciesRomance marrying the lizardman]].
28	* BossOnlyLevel: The penultimate level when you fight Drokmar's final sage.
29	* CharacterLevel: All helpers gain levels by sticking around and finding special items. This increases their technique's effectiveness (usually range and effect) and strength.
30	* 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.
31	* ChestMonster: Several chests are rigged with traps, such as fire explosions, enemies hidden within or [[DeathFromAbove falling rocks]]. Thief partners can tell if a chest's rigged when it glows red.
32	* CompanyCrossReferences: In ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'', one of [[VideoGame/ForgottenWorlds Sylphie]]'s skills is named after the game.
33	* {{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.
34	* DegradedBoss: A PaletteSwap of the first dragon boss appears later as a GiantMook.
35	* DemBones: Skeletons are a minor (and [[GoddamnedBats very annoying]]) enemy.
36	* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: The Gauntlet's ability is "increasing power power" in the item listing during the attract mode.
37	* DiscardAndDraw: Getting a new partner causes your last one to leave.
38	* DishingOutDirt: The Terraformer, an EliteMook who manipulates pieces of the ground as his attack.
39	* EnergyBall: In two flavors. The Cleric shoots out a group of homing orbs, and the Wizard fires his straight forward in a powerful cluster.
40	* EveryManHasHisPrice: If a player character has a diamond ring as his active item, he can turn enemy Thieves and Lizardmen to his side. Even more useful, if the player already has a partner of that kind, the newly turned one will join at two skill levels higher.
41	%%* EvilOverlord: '''Evil Lord''' Drokmar.
42	%%* EvilSorcerer: Lord Drokmar and his five sages.
43	%%* EvilTowerOfOminousness: The Dragon Keep.
44	* FantasyCharacterClasses: All the partner characters are designed in line with basic archetypes.
45	%%* {{Golem}}: A type of GiantMook.
46	* GratuitousEnglish: 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.
47	* HyperactiveMetabolism: Food items restore the player characters' health.
48	* InterchangeableAntimatterKeys: Keys come in silver, gold and platinum flavors, and any of them can open can open the matching doors.
49	* InUniverseGameClock: The backgrounds show the gradual passing of time, with the game starting in the daytime, becoming dusk about halfway up the tower, and becoming night before the final section.
50	* ItemGet: Each time you get a new sword, it spins around with sparkles as triumphant music plays out.
51	* ItsAllUpstairsFromHere: The whole game.
52	* InexplicableTreasureChests: They pop up all over the place throughout the game for points, power-ups, and traps.
53	* LethalLavaLand: Certain floors are surrounded by a fiery blaze, [[ConvectionSchmonvection which doesn't really affects our sturdy hero]].
54	* LizardFolk: A winged variation is a type of enemy, and by having a diamond ring in the inventory you can make one [[HeelFaceTurn switch sides]].
55	* LoinCloth: Standard dress for a BarbarianHero like The Brave One (Alan).
56	* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: The player can switch among a large variety of shields of many sizes and shapes, which provide extra defense against attacks. The Knight has also a big shield, but his is [[ShieldsAreUseless useless]].
57	* MadBomber: The Thief's attack is throwing small bombs.
58	* MagnetHands: Both played straight and averted: You can't lose the original steel sword, but the swords gotten off bosses are thrown off your hands when the player is hit, which then must be recovered.
59	* MixAndMatchCritters: Three Chimeras serve as bosses: the ("normal") Chimera, the Skull Chimera and the King Chimera. They have the upper body and head of a lion, the lower body of a (blue) horse, a snake as a tail, dragon's wings and two extra heads (those of a dragon and horned horse) sticking out from behind the lion's head.
60	* MultipleEndings: The game offers a choice between two after defeating the final boss. [[spoiler:You can take the Black Orb and become the next Evil Lord, or shatter it and free the land of its influence.]]
61	* {{Mummy}}: They're minor enemies who are slow but can take a few hits.
62	* NippleAndDimed: While the Amazon in-game wears [[NavelDeepNeckline a plunging 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.]]
63	* NoNameGiven: Both player characters. Later, they were given official names: Alan and Belger.
64	* OneWingedAngel: All bosses except the Giant Worm's sage and Drokmar take on a monster's form before battle.
65	* OurDragonsAreDifferent: Dragons are recurrent bosses in the game. Two are generic western-looking dragons who [[BreathWeapon shoot lightning out of their mouths]], while the third is actually a two-headed Hydra with an identical attack pattern to the dragons.
66	* OurOrcsAreDifferent: A type of recurrent minor enemy.
67	* OurZombiesAreDifferent: The red-cloaked zombie {{Mooks}} who come from under the soil and try to stab you.
68	* PaletteSwap: All {{Mook}}s get at least one halfway through the game, as well as most bosses.
69	* PinballProjectile: The Ninja's shurikens eventually turn into these.
70	* PlayingWithFire: The wand item grants the player character the ability to shoot high-powered fireballs from his sword for a limited amount of time. The Fire Sword also gives the ability to shoot fireballs.
71	%% * PoisonMushroom
72	%%* PowerFloats: Drokmar.
73	* PowerUp: For your partner, hearts. Blue hearts heal and red hearts increase their level (they start at 1 and top out at 8). But be careful...
74	* 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.
75	* ReptilesAreAbhorrent: Subverted. The Lizardman is the only enemy in the game who actually [[HeelFaceTurn can be turned into an ally]].
76	* ScoreMultiplier: The pendant, which doubles points gained while having it.
77	* SegmentedSerpent: Third boss, the Giant Worms.
78	* ShockAndAwe: The last magic sword acquired in the game is the Thunder Sword. Instead of shooting out a fireball when the player character's charge meter is full, it shoots a long stream of lightning.
79	* TheSmurfettePrinciple: The amazon is the sole woman in a group of nearly a dozen heroes.
80	* SpikeBallsOfDoom: Giant ones that hang from the ceiling by chains are common obstacles in a few floors.
81	* 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 spike up the challenge.
82	* SpreadShot: Some of the allies' attacks, mainly the Ninja.
83	* SwordBeam: The Magic Sword used by the player can shoot magic blasts as its main attack.
84	* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: The Lizardman's means of attack is to throw ''three swords at a time''.
85	* WalkingShirtlessScene: The Brave One[=/=]Alan, but not Belger.
86	* WeaponsKitchenSink: The weapons gained from defeating bosses range from a broadsword to a scimitar, to even a {{katana\|sAreJustBetter}}.
87	%%* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: The Black Orb causes this.
88	* WizardNeedsFoodBadly: Your health degrades over time even if you don't take damage. If you don't obtain food items at a steady pace, you may find yourself near death at an important battle even if you fared well against the mooks.

Context VideoGame / MagicSwordHeroicFantasy