Lord of the Sword

Overview

Lord of the Sword is a quasimetroidvania and single player side-scrolling action-adventure with RPG elements developed by Sega and released to its Master System in 1988. Here, the player takes control over the adventurer Landau, who wants to become the new king of Baljinya.

Landau must pass three tests in order to gain the crown of the medieval fantasy land of Baljinya, which for years has been rife with lawlessness and fear, and restore peace to the land. To pass the three tests, Landau must find the Tree of Marill, subdue the Goblin of Balala Valley, and destroy the Statue of Evil.

Landau can explore the world map (which can be seen by pressing the Pause button) freely in a non linear way, but some portions of the map will be available only after defeating certain enemies or collecting certain items. The Kingdom of Baljinya has towns and villages where Landau can stop to rest (restoring his health) and gather information from the people. There are also castles which can only be entered after completing certain tasks. Between those villages, towns and castles lie different kinds of terrains, like flatlands, dark forests, mountains and swamps. Those terrains are plagued by different kinds of monsters, some specific of each terrain.

There are two weapons which can be used by Landau: a sword and a bow. The sword can be used by pressing the Button 2 while standing, kneeling or jumping. The bow can be used by pressing the button 1 only when standing or kneeling. Landau cannot walk and attack at the same time. Along his way he’ll find new and stronger weapons. He also got only one life, but the game offers a continue feature which can be used up to 10 times.

Anyway, what we have here is the European version of the game set and ready to be played online, in your browser (HTML5), without the need of installation or anything. Have fun!

Controls

• Arrow Keys – Move, jump and crouch
• Button 1 – X (Bow)
• Button 2 – Z (Sword)
• Pause – Enter
• Attention – These controls are default. Hover your mouse into the lower part of the screen and a control bar will show up. Click on the gamepad icon and redefine your the keys if you want.

Synopsis

Art thou the man who will be King or just another rogue with a sword? Your name is Landau. Here’s your chance to prove thy worthiness to the council of Elders.

The followers of the evil Ra Goan have toppled the king from the throne. None are brave enough to take his place. The Elders have decreed that any man who can pass three tests will become King of Baljinya. Find the Tree of Merill. Defeat the Goblin of Balala Valley. Destroy the Statue of Evil. It sounds easy But the followers of Ra Goan are waiting to stop you!

It’s an adventure that will take you across rivers and oceans, through swamps and over mountains. You have a sword and a bow. But magical weapons may become yours… for a price.

Pass the tests and you shall be king. But remember: There’s more to being a Lord of The Sword than hacking apart thine enemies!

Review

Lord of the Sword is an impressive game for the Master System, especially considering the technical limitations of the time. It combines elements of action, exploration, and RPG, offering a very engaging experience. The art, music, and gameplay are remarkable for a 2Mbit cartridge released in 1988.

Here we have are some Lord of the Sword highlights:

• Graphics and level design – For its time, Lord of the Sword’s graphics are detailed and well-designed, making a notable use of the Master System’s hardware. The environments range from forests to castles, each with its own visual style.
• Exploration and Freedom – While not completely non-linear, the game allows for a certain degree of exploration. Players can choose their path and revisit previous areas, adding a layer of depth to the experience.
• RPG elements – The game includes the acquisition of items and weapons, which provide a sense of progression. These mechanics were innovative for many action games of the time.
• Story and theme – Lord of the Sword‘s plot is based on a quest to save the kingdom of Baljinya. Although simple, the narrative is engaging and provides significant context for the player to enjoy.

These aspects make Lord of the Sword a memorable title and an excellent example of how developers of the time managed to create rich and immersive experiences, overcoming technical limitations with creativity and a great artistic creativity.

More info action-adventure

• Lord of the Sword walkthrough @ Gaming Room – This can help you beat this game.
• Lord of the Sword @ MobyGames – Source of the info, with more media and stuff.
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Lord of the Sword gameplays, tips or walkthroughs

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