Magic Sword – 1990 Developer Commentary

Magic Sword - 1990 Developer Commentary

This rare collection of Magic Sword developer commentary was originally featured in Gamest magazine in 1990. Many of the developers are pseudonymous, and the commentary is largely advice on how to enjoy the game, but there are some nice insights as well. The real star are the bestiary commentaries, which were written by the Magic Sword staff and add some nice lore and humor to the arcade classic.

Capcom | Akemi Kurihara | Keiko Kitayama | Manami Matsumae | Tomoshi Sadamoto | Yoshiki Okamoto | Yoshimi Ohnishi | Yuzo Tsunazaki | Magic Sword

Developer Comments

Akemi Kurihara (Character Designer)

You won't fully grasp the fun of this game until you've credit fed to the very end, so just keep playing until you clear the final stage. I also hope players will do that otaku thing where you arbitrarily name your party members. Like, “Once I get Jane, I'll ditch Michael…” or something.

Otouchan

I think the appeal of Magic Sword is not knowing what stage will come next as you make your way towards the top of the tower. There are mysteries hidden on nearly every one of the 50 floors, and it should keep players entertained without a moment of boredom. The difficulty is admittedly fairly high, but newcomers should just focus on getting to the next floor. Once you're more experienced, you can try and clear it with fewer coins, or even go for a 1CC. Some players might aim for a high score, but I think everyone can find their own way to enjoy Magic Sword--it's a very deep game. I hope you have fun exploring this fantastic and captivating world.

Y. Fukumoto (Art)

When I started creating the graphics for Magic Sword, I was dizzy with worry over how to add variety because there were just so many stages. To change things up visually, I experimented with different colors, but since it's a heroic fantasy, the overall image might have ended up a bit dark.

I had a lot of fun making the big boss stages, so I wouldn't say the development was particularly hard or frustrating for me. Anyway, as a developer, nothing makes me happier than seeing it become so popular. Thank you very much.

Yoshiki Okamoto (Game Design)

In addition to powering up your own weapon, it's very important to level your companion. It's best to focus on leveling a single companion, but you have to think carefully about who to choose. For players who aren't very good, I recommend the Ninja or Amazoness, who can be leveled up even on the lower floors. For skilled players I suggest the Knight or Lizardman. The Thief is also surprisingly viable.

By the way, at the planning stage we also debated having 100 floors, and allowing the player to have two companions.

Gym Club Hacker

The key to this game is memorizing what the items do.

Rie

Magic Sword is the first game I've ever made, so some of the enemy designs might be a little rough around the edges, but if players manage to find them appealing despite their weirdness I'll be very happy.

Maa-chan

With over 50 floors, I struggled to make them feel different from each other. But I think those efforts really paid off. Please imagine yourself ascending higher and higher up the tower as you play.

Y. Maruyama (Art)

Enlist the aid of various helpers and reach the top of the tower to claim the Black Orb! Magic Sword is my debut game, so I hope it gets played a lot.

Keiko Kitayama (Character Design)

It'll be tough to take down the gigantic characters I poured my guts into creating, but please rally your strongest allies and give it your all.

The Gamest article included cute (and helpful) drawings like this one, which says "Stay in the center and you won't get hit."

Tomoshi Sadamoto (Game/Character Design)

If you can forgive all the imperfections you should be able to enjoy a game like Magic Sword.

Manami Matsumae (Composer)

Greetings, I'm Matsumae. I composed the music for Magic Sword. I'm not good enough at the game to give you advice on how to play (though during the development I was able to clear the game using continues!), but I hope you enjoy the "THANK YOU" voice sample, which was recorded by the women here who labored so intensely on Magic Sword.

Yuzo Tsunazaki (Programmer)

In an ocean of arcade games, I firmly believe that Magic Sword is one that deserves to be called a "true" arcade game. One of the appeals of this game is learning to skillfully use the items in order to net high scores. We hope you'll enjoy the deep world of Magic Sword, with its 50 floors, by making full use of your eight companions and items.

Yoshimi Ohnishi (Designer)

The core way to enjoy this game is like "Takeshi's Castle." Get ready, set, go! Compete to see how far you can get! After you've cleared it, try different some approaches the next time: focus on earning points, stick with just one ally, or go without any allies. Give it a shot!

Bestiary (Commentary by Capcom Developers)

Skeleton - An undead skeleton warrior resurrected by the Demon King's magic. It moves swiftly and wields a shield skillfully. Watch out for its counterattacks when it takes damage.
Orc - As the vanguard of the Demon King's army, they appear throughout the tower. It may swallow items it finds whole.
Sorcerer A - Sorcerer A is a man who sold his soul to the Demon King. He excels at levitation and telekinesis, attacking from the air by hurling rocks with his mind. Stay calm and you needn't fear him much; panic, and you'll fall right into his trap.
Chimimōryō (Spirits of the Mountains and Rivers) - Low-level spirits drawn to the Demon King's dark power, gathering unbidden. They swarm and flit about inside the tower. They seem like evil spirits of greed; defeating one swarm yields an item.
Skull Sorcerer - A fanatical worshipper of the Demon King, using skulls to perform dark magic. A formidable foe that attacks by teleporting through space, but can be defeated in one blow if struck the instant it teleports out.
Mummy - An ancient mummy brought back to life. Though slow-moving, if it can get its arms around you it will swiftly drain your vitality. Resistant to physical attacks, but can be instantly defeated by a priest's Light Bolt.
Red Dragon - GRRRR, WHY DIDN'T THEY MAKE ME A BOSS!
Golem - A colossal trap set by the original owner of the Dragon Tower to protect its treasures from thieves and intruders, essentially a giant robot by today's standards. It corners intruders, driving them into traps or crushing them against walls. It detects intrusion via a type of light sensor and, once activated, runs on a spring mechanism made from whale baleen.
Slime - It normally clings to the ceiling, and attacks passing prey by releasing a strong acid. Infused with human genes through the Demon King's magic, it takes human form and runs around on two legs when moving on the ground, making it a kind of synthetic monster.
Water Dragon - The Demon King's pet, which dwells in the tower's waterways. It attacks by spitting coral shards from its mouth. It isn't particularly strong for its size; instead, one should be wary of the treacherous footing in the waterways.
Samurai - Strictly speaking, its physical form is only the sword. The human shape is a spirit entity materialized by dark power, amplified through the cursed blade. It flies through the air, attacking with its signature Flying Swallow Single-Stroke Slash. A fearsome foe when enraged--drop your guard and it'll sever your head.
Dragon Harpy - Though it looks like a baby dragon at first glance, it's actually a full-grown Dragon Harpy. They enjoy teasing passersby in groups of two or three, suggesting a fairly high intelligence. However, they don't know how to open treasure chests and are always found fluttering around them.
King Skull - The skull of a king destroyed by the Demon King. Used as a vessel for the Demon King's magic, he controls it and rains thunderbolts down upon intruders.
Fire Dragon - Dragons dwelling in the artificial rivers and seas of fire created within the tower. Their presence began when the tower's master released pairs of fire dragons and water dragons to deter intruders during construction. Through breeding, their numbers have now grown so vast that their exact count is unknown.
Ogre - Over two meters tall, ogres are ferocious man-eating demons. They rely on brute strength, swinging iron balls to defeat their foes. Regardless of whether their victims are dead or alive, they then tear into them from the head, crunching and devouring everything down to the bones.
Bee-Man - Also known as the "Bloodsucking Bee-Man." They cling to ceilings in groups, scouting for prey. Once they spot a target, they dive down en masse, swarm and envelop it, and then feed on its blood until it's nothing but a dried husk. However, if they deem the prey unpalatable, they immediately flee back to the ceiling.
Zombies - The restless souls of players who once entered this tower, fell victim to monsters, and rotted away without ever being imprisoned. They were resurrected within the tower as zombies, their resentment amplified by a magic cloak. The coins that always appear when they are defeated, perhaps they are the savings they accumulated in life?
Demon - A demon with ox-like horns and the lower body of a beast. Since the Demon King's revival, it has never strayed one step from its post, waiting patiently for intruders with bombs in hand.
Great Lizard - A demon that never left its post since birth and a Great Lizard lacking offensive power accidentally became friends. By letting the Great Lizard carry the demon on its back, both fulfilled their wishes. The demon, in particular was so overjoyed at seeing the world beyond its post that it now throws extra bombs.

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