Magic Sword is an arcade game developed by Capcom in 1990, featuring hack-and-slash gameplay. In 1992, a single player-only version was released for the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom.
I once saw this hidden gem on an arcade version during the early 1990s. And so I tried to play this Super NES port on an emulator during the early 2000s.
The Story
Take on the role of Mohun, a brave warrior wielding a powerful Magic Sword. Your mission is to venture into the scary Drockmar Keep, where the dragon's tower emits an ominous red glow. Mohun seeks to find the Black Orb and free it from its dark influence. As you guide Mohun through each floor of the tower, you'll encounter powerful enemies, traps, and challenges. Along the way, recruit allies to assist you in your quest. Your goal is to destroy the Black Orb and restore light to the kingdom. Only your courage and skill can save the world from darkness!
The Graphics and Sound
The visuals are vibrant and detailed, with bright colors bringing the game world to life. Both characters and enemies are well-designed, although some smaller foes may be difficult to spot. The backgrounds are rich in detail, with special effects like rippling heat adding to the atmosphere.
As for sound, the game features mostly impact effects like bangs and booms when enemies are defeated, along with the sound of your sword swinging. Some sounds, like the digitized "thank you" when freeing an ally, add to the immersion, although others may come across as goofy. The music is a highlight, with many tracks being particularly enjoyable. Like the sound effects, you can listen to the music in the options mode, allowing you to appreciate the game's soundtrack even further.
The Gameplay
Defeating bosses in Magic Sword rewards you with a stronger sword, and freeing allies from jail cells allows them to fight alongside you with increasingly powerful weapons, including projectiles. However, the game can be frustrating due to the sheer number of enemies, making it difficult to avoid many of them. Additionally, getting hit can cause your upgraded sword to jump from your hand, potentially leading to it falling into hazardous areas. If you choose to leave your sword behind, you won't get it back at the end of the stage, adding an extra layer of challenge that some players may find annoying.
The controls in Magic Sword are responsive, but getting hit causes your character to recoil backward for a significant amount of time, which can sometimes lead to accidental falls into hazards like fire or lava. Enemies also recoil when hit, and while the hit detection is accurate, you can't defeat enemies rapidly because they blink after being hit, requiring a moment before they can be hit again.
Replay value is good, you have the option to start from different floors of the tower, allowing for replayability as you try to progress further each time. However, the game is challenging, and you may lose motivation to continue playing after facing difficulty in reaching higher levels or defeating Drokmar, the final boss.
My Verdict
Despite not having the flashy visuals or captivating sound of other Capcom classics from the same era, Magic Sword remains a cherished memory in my gaming experience thanks to its solid gameplay.
Play it on the undeniable Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on a desired emulator.
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