Line #23 VideoGame/MadoushiLulba


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/madoushululba_6.png]]
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3	''Madoushi Lulba'' is a fantasy [[AdventureGame adventure game]] for the Platform/{{MSX}} created by Creator/{{Compile}}. It was first released on their ''Disc Station'' disk magazine episodically (appearing on issues #1, #2, and #4), before being bundled together in ''Disc Station Deluxe 2'', along with an extra chapter and updated graphics and sound.
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5	The story of the game involves the resurrection of the titular [[EvilSorcerer Lulba]], an ancient dark wizard who plans to throw the world into darkness, using his army of 240 million monsters to aid him. The only one who can stop him is [[CatFolk Cyber Cat]], a traveling feline warrior who is on his way back to his hometown, and comes into possession of the [[CoolSword Sword of Light]] after running into the eccentric but well-dressed Haagen Duck, who decides to become the young swordsman’s apprentice. The game details their journey through a world of incredibly cute and diverse animals, and the strange situations the duo find themselves in.
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7	Gameplay is typical for adventure games of the era; you have a list of commands on the right of the screen, a visual window to the left, and a text box at the bottom. The player can interact with characters or go places by selecting a command from the command list. One deviation that sticks out, however, is a life gauge at the very top right of the screen, which can be depleted by performing certain harmful actions or by enemy characters; these enemy characters show up at the end of each chapter, and cannot be defeated merely by your weapon. The player will have to [[PuzzleBoss work out a solution for each opponent]], and some enemies’ weaknesses are more obvious than others.
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9	The game was a reasonable success for Compile, becoming a favorite among fans of the company and Japanese adventure gamers, and thematically paved the way for the ''VideoGame/MadouMonogatari'' series (which shares a similar light-hearted fantasy theme with cutesy characters). It also shares a few connections to said series, such as one of Lulba's minions, Owlbear, becoming a recurring character in both ''Madou Monogatari'' and ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo'', and several characters showing up as [[NonPlayerCharacter NPCs]] and enemies in ''Madou Monogatari ARS''. While the game hasn't seen any sequels, it hasn't been forgotten; D4 Enterprise, who currently own the rights to the game, have put ''Madoushi Lulba'' [[http://www.amusement-center.com/project/egg/cgi/ecatalog-detail.cgi?product_id=294 up for sale on Project EGG]], and Owlbear has continued to appear in ''Puyo Puyo'' games up to the present day.
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12	!!''Madoushi Lulba'' provides examples of:
13	* AllThereInTheManual: The manual for the ''Disc Station Deluxe 2'' rerelease contains a pre-story to the game, as well as short bios for each character alongside an illustration of them. Sometimes, these bios are hints on how to interact with said characters.
14	* AnachronismStew: While the game is ostensibly set in a fantastical medieval setting, there are things like pogo sticks, kaki no tane, and Indian poker that show up or are mentioned.
15	* AntagonistTitle
16	* BearsAreBadNews: He might be only half-bear, but Owlbear fits the bill; he’s one of Lulba’s henchmen, and his telepathy allows him to strike even before his opponent can make a move.
17	* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler:Cyber Cat manages to vanquish Lulba, but sacrifices himself in the process by turning into pure light to seal the wizard for good.]]
18	* BlueIsHeroic: Cyber Cat and Haagen Duck's attire prominently features blue coloration. Inverted with Lulba, whose cloak and mask are also blue.
19	* BreakoutCharacter: Owlbear, who became a recurring character throughout the ''Puyo Puyo'' and ''Madou Monogatari'' games after his debut here, albeit with his connections to ''Madoushi Lulba'' severed entirely.
20	* CatFolk: Cyber Cat, though he’s far more human-looking than most examples.
21	* CompilationRerelease: ''Disc Station Deluxe 2'' packages all three episodes released on ''Disc Station'' and gives them improved graphics and some other minor changes, and even throws in an extra chapter that's longer than the others.
22	* CoolSword: The Sword of Light, which passes hands from Haagen Duck to Cyber Cat after an unexpectedly violent run-in. It has regenerative properties, and even survives the aftermath of the final battle, ending up back in Haagen Duck’s hands.
23	* DependingOnTheArtist: No two Lulbas are the same. In just the ''Disc Station 2 Deluxe'' version alone there are [[https://puyonexus.com/mediawiki/images/c/c6/Madoushululba.png three]] [[https://puyonexus.com/mediawiki/images/5/59/DSDX2_Lulba_menacing.jpg different]] [[https://puyonexus.com/mediawiki/images/1/1d/Lulba_prestory.jpg depictions]] of him in artwork (presumably done by different artists each). [[https://puyonexus.com/mediawiki/images/d/d2/Lulba_DS4_ad.png Artwork]] [[https://puyonexus.com/mediawiki/images/c/c4/Madou_Monogatari_Fun_Book_pg34.jpeg outside]] the game itself is no better in maintaining consistency. Even ''within'' the [[https://puyonexus.com/mediawiki/images/0/07/LulbaOrigin.png game]] [[https://puyonexus.com/mediawiki/images/3/3e/Lulbact2.PNG itself]] there's inconsistencies.
24	** It seems, however, with D4's acquisition of the game, a [[https://puyonexus.com/mediawiki/images/f/f1/Compile_Shuminova_promo.jpeg better]] [[https://puyonexus.com/mediawiki/images/f/f8/Disc_Station_Re01_artwork.jpg attempt]] at keeping the design stable is being made.
25	* FatBastard: Cyclops, an obese and green monster found at the end of Act 3. He’s yet another one of Lulba’s cronies, and is resistant to any attacks aimed at him.
26	* FunnyAnimal: The game is loaded with these. They run the gamut from a well-dressed duck to a bespectacled mouse sensei.
27	* InstantRunes: Some of Lulba’s spells in the final battle use these.
28	** One also shows up that emits large crackling red bolts that spread all over Lulba [[spoiler:after Cyber deals the last blow]], albeit only in the ''Deluxe'' version.
29	* MischiefMakingMonkey: Osaru, a simian with a [[StickyFingers habit of snatching things from others]], and is strangely the only character in the game incapable of talking normally. He’s also a pro at Indian poker.
30	* MisplacedWildlife: Kangaroos and a monkey show up in what is presumably a temperate climate.
31	* OffWithHisHead: Right after his resurrection, Lulba finds himself a head shorter after Cyber Cat promptly swings his newly-acquired sword. Unfortunately, it isn’t enough to keep the dark lord down, as he [[LosingYourHead regenerates it]] at the start of Act 2, complete with a new mask.
32	** This fate can also befall Pascal should you choose, but you will be [[NonStandardGameOver punished for doing so.]]
33	* PlayingWithFire: The titular wizard's repertoire of spells all revolve around fire, with his favorite being Fire Volt. He visibly demonstrates this before the last boss fight by [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness torching one of his minions.]]
34	* PunnyName: The kangaroo twins' names, Roo and Lette, when put together, sound like the word “roulette”.
35	* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: According to the instruction booklet from the ''Disc Station Deluxe 2'' version, Lulba is ''4.6 billion years old'', making him older than both the Earth ''and'' the solar system.
36	* ShoutOut: Pascal the Raccoon’s name is a homage to the anime ''Anime/RascalTheRaccoon''. Similarly, Donalzo Dog’s name is a reference to WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck.
37	** Haagen Duck’s appearance recalls that of [[ComicBook/DisneyDucksComicUniverse Scrooge McDuck]], and his name is only a few letters off from a certain American [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haagen-Dazs ice cream brand.]]
38	* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: It’s possible to behead the harmless raccoon Pascal, but at the cost of a [[NonStandardGameOver Non-Standard Game Over.]]
39	* VileVillainSaccharineShow: While 95% of the game is about a lighthearted cast of cute anthropomorphic animal characters in silly scenarios, Lulba himself stands in stark contrast. Whenever he is on the screen, the music and tone become notably more sinister and humorless.
40	* WinsByDoingAbsolutelyNothing: How do our heroes defeat the telepathic and dangerous Owlbear? By simply zoning out, leaving Owlbear unable to read their minds, and stalling him in the process.

Context VideoGame / MadoushiLulba