Software:Magic Sword (video game)

From HandWiki
Magic Sword - Heroic Fantasy
Developer(s)Capcom
Minakuchi Engineering (SNES)
Publisher(s)Capcom
Designer(s)Yoshimi Ohnishi
Tomoshi Sadamoto
Yoshiki Okamoto
Artist(s)Tomoshi Sadamoto
Kazunori Tazaki
Akemi Iwasaki
Composer(s)Manami Matsumae
Kouji Murata (SNES)
Platform(s)Arcade, SNES, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox, Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network
Release
Genre(s)Hack and slash
Beat 'em up[2]
Platformer
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemCP System

Magic Sword (Japanese: マジックソード), fully titled as Magic Sword: Heroic Fantasy, is a side-scrolling fantasy hack-and-slash game released by Capcom for arcades in 1990. The game casts the player as a hero who must fight his way through a mystical tower in order to save the world. The player can use a sword, axe or magic, and can also rescue and recruit potential allies of various character classes, each of which has its own special abilities. Three years earlier, Capcom had released the similar Black Tiger.

Plot

Magic Sword takes place in an unnamed world, which is being threatened by the dark lord Drokmar (Dracmar in the original Japanese[3]), who has control over an evil crystal known as the "Black Orb", which would allow him to rule over the world. In order to prevent this from happening, the hero, known as the Brave One (Alan in the original Japanese[4]), must scale to the top of the 50-floor tower in which Drokmar resides, known as Dragon Keep.[5]

At the game's end, when Drokmar is defeated, the player has the option of two endings: Destroy the Black Orb, or to take control of it, becoming the new dark lord.

Gameplay

Arcade version screenshot.

Magic Sword shares many gameplay elements with Black Tiger. The game has side-scrolling fighting, with some platforming elements. The player controls only the main character. The accompanying ally, controlled by the computer, follows the player diligently and only attacks and jumps when the player does. Assistant characters consist of Amazon (archer), Big Man (wields an axe), Knight, Lizardman, Ninja, Priest, Thief and Wizard. The player is allowed to carry one item, which can assist the player or the current ally.

The player has a magic meter. It fills up while the player is not attacking, but it empties completely each time the player attacks. If the player attacks when the meter is empty or is blue, the player can only perform a melee attack when the standard attack button is used. Magical allies like the priest and the wizard will not attack in this situation. If it is red but not full, the player and any magical ally teamed up with him will perform a weak ranged magical attack alongside the melee attack. If it is full, the player and any magical ally teamed up with him will perform a strong ranged magical attack alongside the melee attack. Non-magical allies will attack when the player attacks regardless of the status of the magic meter.

The player's health is displayed as a set of five HP bars and a number next to the HP bars that counts the number of sets of five full HP bars beyond the ones that are shown on screen in case the player has more than five full HP bars. The ally has a separate HP meter that maxes out at four HP bars.

Full screen attacks can be performed either instantly when a magical book is collected or on demand at the cost of one full HP bar.

The game has about 50 levels,[6][7] and multiple endings with two alternate outcomes.[7][8] There are 51 floors to fight through in the game. Eight of these floors have boss characters at the end, including Drokmar himself at the end of the 50th floor. Additionally, there are seven "Secret Doors" which allows the player to bypass levels when specific maneuvers are performed.

Development

During development, Capcom was going to program the gameplay so the player could have up to two allies (four in total in a two-player game). The hardest part of the game was the placement of enemies in each stage. One of the last features implemented in the game was the secret doors.[9] The game was being location-tested in Japan by April 1990.[6]

The Super Nintendo version was announced at the 1992 Winter CES.[1]

Ports

A single player-only port was released for the Super NES in 1992 and for mobile phones in 2008.[10] A version for the Capcom Power System Changer was planned and previewed but never released.[11] The full arcade version is included in Capcom Classics Collection Remixed for PlayStation Portable, Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 2 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox, and Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows.

The arcade version was also released alongside Final Fight in a two-in-one bundle titled Final Fight: Double Impact for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network in April 2010.[12]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
ArcadeSNES
Nintendo Power14/20[14]
Your Sinclair86%[15]
CU Amiga78%[18]
RePlayPositive[7]
Aggregate score
GameRankings64%[13]

In Japan, the game had successful location tests by April 1990.[6] Game Machine listed Magic Sword on their September 1, 1990 issue as being Japan's second most-successful table arcade unit of the month, outperforming titles such as Raiden and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.[19] In North America, it had a successful launch, with early orders of several thousand arcade units upon release,[7] while performing very well at test locations.[20] It was a hit at American arcades upon release.[21] In November and December 1990, weekly coin drop earnings averaged $263.75 per arcade unit.[22] It was the top-grossing software conversion kit on the RePlay arcade charts in November 1990.[23]

The arcade game received positive reviews from critics. Julian Rignall of Computer and Video Games called it a "slick, colourful and well executed" game that "should appeal to any slash 'em up fan."[2] Your Sinclair called it "an unoriginal but hugely playable coin-op."[15]

The SNES version received mixed reviews from critics. Nintendo Power called it "the same great action game that debuted in the arcades, only now you have extra game options plus a stage select for the lower levels."[14] Super Play criticized the animation for being awful, the sound effects as negligible, and the game slowing down at the slightest provocation, concluding it to be an “awful game” that was “kind of quite good fun in a way, if you sort of look sideways at it and squint”.[16]

In other media

The American Street Fighter animated series episode "The Warrior King" (1997) is based on Magic Sword. This episode was part of a crossover storyline that spanned the other shows in the USA Action Extreme Team lineup (Savage Dragon, Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, and Wing Commander Academy).

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Magic Sword (SNES) - Next Wave". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Sendai Publishing) (33): 84. January 1992. https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_30/page/n87. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CVG
  3. ↑ "『マジックソード』1992年／スーパーファミコン". 15 June 2023. https://gamemanual.midnightmeattrain.com/entry/マジックソード. 
  4. ↑ "『マジックソード』1992年／スーパーファミコン". 15 June 2023. https://gamemanual.midnightmeattrain.com/entry/マジックソード. 
  5. ↑ "Magic Sword - Coin-Op Arcade Game - Review". http://classicgames.about.com/od/arcadegames/fr/MagicSword.htm. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Cover Story: "This Is the Good Time" – Capcom's CPS system brings success to the firm... and offers direction for a troubled video market". RePlay (RePlay Publishing) 15 (7): 183–5. April 1990. https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-14-issue-no.-7-april-1990-600dpi/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2014%2C%20Issue%20No.%207%20-%20April%201990/page/183. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Capcom Bows "Next Final Fight" With Magic Sword". RePlay 15 (12): 20. September 1990. https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-15-issue-no.-12-september-1990-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2015%2C%20Issue%20No.%2012%20-%20September%201990/page/20. 
  8. ↑ "Magic Sword". RePlay 16 (1): 19. October 1990. https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-16-issue-no.-1-october-1990-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2016%2C%20Issue%20No.%201%20-%20October%201990/page/19. 
  9. ↑ Okamoto, Yoshiki. "Capcom and the CPS-1". Capcom. http://shmuplations.com/cps1/. 
  10. ↑ "Magic Sword review". Pocket Gamer. 5 June 2008. http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Magic+Sword/review.asp?c=7047. 
  11. ↑ "カプコン アーケードオリジナルボード CPSシリーズ+CPSチェンジャー 限定販売決定!!". Club Capcom (Capcom) 2: 90–91. Spring 1994. https://archive.org/stream/club-capcom-spring-1994_202202#page/n89/mode/2up. 
  12. ↑ "Joystiq - Capcom porting Final Fight and Magic Sword to Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network.". http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/oh-my-car-capcom-porting-final-fight-and-magic-sword-to-xbla-a/. 
  13. ↑ "Magic Sword SNES Review Score". https://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588461-magic-sword/index.html. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Your Guide to the Latest Releases". Nintendo Power 38: 78–85, 105. July 1992. https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Power_Issue001-Issue127/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20038%20July%201992/page/n79/mode/2up. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Wilson, David (1 November 1990). "Slots of Fun". Your Sinclair (United Kingdom: Future plc) (60 (December 1990)): 70–1. https://archive.org/details/your-sinclair-60/page/n69/mode/1up. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Davies, Jonathan (May 1993). Magic Sword Review. United Kingdom: Future Publishing. pp. 69. https://pdfroom.com/books/superplay-issue-07-1993-05-future-publishing-gb/Gk203ypwgpm. 
  17. ↑ Wilson, David (December 1990). "Dosh Eaters". Zero (14): 85–6. https://archive.org/details/zero-magazine-14/page/n85. 
  18. ↑ Cook, John (26 October 1990). "Magic Sword". CU Amiga (9 (November 1990)): 95. http://amr.abime.net/amr_popup_picture.php?src=cu_amiga/magscans/cu_1990_11/095.jpg&c=74123. 
  19. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (Amusement Press, Inc.) (387): 21. 1 September 1990. 
  20. ↑ "New Products". RePlay 16 (1): 164, 166. October 1990. https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-16-issue-no.-1-october-1990-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2016%2C%20Issue%20No.%201%20-%20October%201990/page/164. 
  21. ↑ "Machines & Markets". RePlay 16 (4): 44–55. January 1991. https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-16-issue-no.-4-january-1991-600dpi/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2016%2C%20Issue%20No.%204%20-%20January%201991/page/44. 
  22. ↑ "Editorial". RePlay 16 (4): 6. January 1991. https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-16-issue-no.-4-january-1991-600dpi/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2016%2C%20Issue%20No.%204%20-%20January%201991/page/6. 
  23. ↑ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay 16 (2): 4. November 1990. https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-16-issue-no.-2-november-1990-600dpi/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2016%2C%20Issue%20No.%202%20-%20November%201990/page/4. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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