History VideoGame / GargoylesQuest

** The thematic wordplay of the original Japanese title, ''Demon's Blazon''. Blazon, as in "emblazon," means a coat of arms or ostentatious display. The new form changes were called the Blazon System, appropriately caused by equipping crests which dramatically transform the user's appearance. Ironically, Firebrand is only called the Red [[JustForPun Blaze]] in English.

** In the Japanese intro, Phalanx claims he will use the combined might of the crests to shatter the sky of the Demon Realm and take over the human world as well. This is followed by the visual of him shooting the combined crests into the sky causing an explosion of light. The town NPC exposits that during Firebrand's [[{{Misblamed}} mis-blamed]] burning of the Demon Realm, Phalanx saved them all by leading them "above ground," implying it was into the human world.

* MultipleChoicePast: It's the third installment of a GaidenGame series by Creator/{{Capcom}}, so the timeline gets inevitably [[{{Retcon}} wonky]] with no attempt to clarify. What's remarkable is how much the original [[LostInTranslation Japanese story]] is wishy-washy enough that the game's setting enters multiple-choice geography.

** Whether Phalanx invaded the human world 1000 years ago in the Japanese version is left vague since it has no direct consequences within this game but probably disrupts everything in ''VideoGame/GhostsNGoblins''. On the other hand, two of the endings say Firebrand returned to the Demon Realm. The bonus boss being called [[spoiler:the Dark Demon who dwells within the human world]] but appearing on a spot on the map can be taken as that building involving some [[PortalDoor off-screen portal]] or this map ''is'' the [[ApocalypseHow human world]].
** In the Japanese version, Phalanx sealed away and then planned Firebrand's revival as part of a ritual that awakens the Crest of Heaven into the Crest of Infinity by battling him. In the bad ending, [[spoiler:he is somehow still caught off guard and unprepared over Firebrand's arrival despite scheduling it with 1000 years of prep time.]] That ending really only makes sense in the English version that understandably leaves out most of the premise making Firebrand's escape a fluke.

** The huge but conflicting implications might be why its parent series and later crossover games featuring any Red Arremer largely avoid mentioning this installment. ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'' reveals its Red Arremer Joker is the aged version of this Firebrand with his characterization as a NobleDemon from the first two games, protecting his world and weary of anything resembling the Crest War. Except this game ends with [[spoiler:Firebrand [[{{Unfettered}} intentionally trying to start a new Crest War]] and possibly abandoning his realm for any chance to [[BloodKnight find new opponents]].]] A lot has to be revised or ignored to fit with the other games.

* OurDragonsAreDifferent: There's the Demon Dragon from the intro, Somulo the zombie dragon (who is possibly a post-death Demon Dragon), the big dragon statue in the background of Area 1, and the dragon-shaped flame when Firebrand uses Demon Fire.

* TheCameo: The "Imp" spell summons one of the Petite Demons from the original ''VideoGame/GhostsNGoblins''. Also, the Aerial Gargoyle's projectile slightly resembles a [[VideoGame/StreetFighter Sonic Boom]] [[spoiler:and the Ultimate Gargoyle's resembles a Hadouken]].

* OffModel:
** Firebrand is portrayed as green in the North American box art of the first game, despite being plot-relevantly described as red within the same game. Some spritework makes him look more orange than red, particularly in ''Demon's Crest''.
** The international box art for ''Demon's Crest'', meanwhile, gives Firebrand a human-like face with eyebrows and a SinisterSchnoz rather than the more reptilian appearance he officially has. He's also drawn with pupils instead of MonochromaticEyes.

* SequelDifficultySpike: While the combat is much the same (in fact, it's a little easier due to starting with more health and faster projectiles) the platforming has gotten much more difficult with longer stages, more stage hazards and some really dickish enemy placement. In addition, continuing with a password no longer saves your money and lives.

** The international box art for ''Demon's Crest'', meanwhile, gives the reptilian Firebrand a more mammalian face with eyebrows and a lion-like snout. He's also drawn with pupils instead of the MonochromaticEyes he officially has.

* VoluntaryShapeshifting: The various Crests alter Firebrand's physical form; Arma is unaffected visually (aside from his color palette changing), but his powers are demonstrably enhanced. According to a villager, Firebrand holding the Crest of Time depicts his fully-powered "Red Blaze" appearance.
* JustForFun/XMeetsY: ''Gargoyle's Quest'' meets the ''ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet''. Capcom would release ''VideoGame/MarvelSuperHeroes'' a year later, followed by ''VideoGame/MarvelSuperHeroesWarOfTheGems''. In the time the studio would have been familiarizing itself with the source material, [[WritingAroundTrademarks 6 other color-coded gems]] would [[HandWave spontaneously fall out of the sky]] and into one of their own franchises to make this game happen, complete with a villain intending to [[spoiler:unite them into the [[CaptainErsatz Crest of Infinity]]]]. In fact it was called [[spoiler:the Crest of Void]] in Japanese, so whoever translated it basically [[LampshadeHanging highlighted the source material]].

* JustForFun/XMeetsY: ''Gargoyle's Quest'' meets the ''ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet''. Capcom would release ''VideoGame/MarvelSuperHeroes'' a year later, followed by ''VideoGame/MarvelSuperHeroesWarOfTheGems''. In the time the studio would have been familiarizing themselves with the source material, [[WritingAroundTrademarks 6 other color-coded gems]] would [[HandWave spontaneously fall out of the sky]] and into one of their own franchises to make this game happen, complete with a villain intending to [[spoiler:unite them into the [[CaptainErsatz Crest of Infinity]]]]. In fact it was called [[spoiler:the Crest of Void]] in Japanese, so whoever translated it basically [[LampshadeHanging highlighted the source material]].

* JustForFun/XMeetsY: ''Gargoyle's Quest'' meets the ''ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet''. Capcom would release ''VideoGame/MarvelSuperHeroes'' a year later, followed by ''VideoGame/MarvelSuperHeroesWarOfTheGems''. In the time the studio would have been familiarizing themselves with the source material, [[WritingAroundTrademarks 6 other colorful gems]] with a villain trying to [[spoiler:combine them into the [[CaptainErsatz Crest of Infinity]]]] would [[HandWave spontaneously fall out of the sky]] and into one of their own franchises to make this game happen.