Magic of Scheherezade
Reviewed by Phil Ward
Years ago the evil demon magician Sabaron tried to conquer the world.
You tried to stop him, but failed and were thrown into a different time
zone, and without your memory. Coronya the time spirit tells you this
as she brings you through time to do combat with the evil magician
Sabaron once more.
To get to him, however, you must first pass through the five lands
of the world, finding allies to aid you in your quest. Each ally has
his/her strengths and weaknesses, and together you can form
formations to fight monsters. At the end of each world is a demon,
unleashed by Sabaron to stop you. You must defeat the demon to pass on.
There are several classes to choose from: Fighter-best in combat with
a sword. Spells not so powerful. Saint-fair sword and fair rod. Spells
quite powerful. Magician-pathetic sword. Super-fast rod. Powerful spells.
There are two forms of combat -
1: Normal combat, like most other NES games, you walk around a 3-D
world (overhead view) and use your sword, rod or magic to kill monsters.
2: Combat screen. Powerful monsters sometimes appear when you move
from one screen to the next. You do not actually control how the character
fights, you just make certain choices. Here is when your allies aid you
the most, as you can pick different formations, each with it own powerful
magic. You then choose which spell or attack you want each of the
chosen allies to attack with, and then you watch the results. They in
turn attack you with some power of their own , and so forth. When you
win, you return to the normal screen.
When you kill monsters, in either form of combat (though combat mode
2 seems more productive) you may receive money that the monsters had.
You may also receive other items. A rupia is a coin, and the currency used.
There are towns in the land. Enter these for safety, and also to talk to
the townspeople, as information can be important. There are also shops
where you can buy items that will help you on your quest. Hotels are
sometimes found, where you pay a certain amount of money and you
stay there a night. You wake up with full HP (hit points) and MP. (magic
power). You usually find allies in towns, as well, and there are casinos
(where you can bet), wise men (where you can save a password, resurrect
a friend, or change your class).
Several items help you on your quest:
Bread - this can be bought. It restores your hp to 50 when you would
have died.
Mashroob - restores your MP. when it reaches zero.
Carpet - transports you and your friends to any town you have visited
in that time.
Ring - transports you from combat if needed (might be needed for Salamander)
Rupia Seed - plant one of these in a rupia field (you have to find that)
on the day of the Alalart Solar Eclipse and go into the future, to the
field to collect your reward.
Trooperes - Very useful. My favorite. Mercenary troopers work for you
for 100 rupias. They are useful in combat screens (combat mode 2) and
up to four of them attack the monsters. Their damaging ability and hit
points increase in each world.
You may also gain experience points by killing monsters. After you get
a certain amount of experience points, your level rises, resulting in
your learning new spells, gaining a greater maximum hp and mp, and
gaining more offensive power for the rod or sword.
In each of the worlds you should gather information from the townspeople.
They may tell you of certain things you have to do in the world before
you can defeat the demon.
Its confusing at first, but fun.
Graphics 6.5 out of 10
Not the best, but then, its the NES. Pretty good for the NES but could
definitely have been better.
Music and Sound 6 out of 10
Again, nothing special. Its not bad but could be improved.
Game Challenge 9 out of 10
Very challenging. I have beaten it on slow, and I think normal, but it
is quite hard. Not only do you have to stay alive, but you have to explore
the world, and find secrets, explore mazes, etc.
Game Play-Fun 9.5 out of 10
Bare sport. The game is challenging and addictive. Once I started playing,
I found it hard to stop. Those of you who like demons, and magic and
monsters, I recommend it-its fun.
The only problem is bothersome dialogue. Its interesting the first time,
but after a while it gets boring. And I cant speed it up.
Other than that, its great. Its interesting, with new challenges appearing
constantly. New friends and foes renew you interest (or did mine) and
make you want to play.
Frustration
Yes there is some. Not only the cumbersome dialogue, but the excessively
long passwords are also bothersome. When you cant find your way out
of a maze or solve a problem, it can get boring and frustrating. However,
keep trying and you'll probably get through. If your really stuck, add a
request to the wish list of this site. I visit here often and Ill see if I
can help you.
Replayability 9 out of 10
Very replayable. I've been playing it for years, and I haven't gotten tired
of it yet. Even when you beat it, you can still play it over, and explore
the five worlds thoroughly. You might find some pretty cool secrets.
Theres always somewhere that you haven't been.
Game Value 10 out of 10
I don't know the exact price of the game, but since its for the NES, it
should be dirt cheap. Its an older game too. Graphics and sound aren't
that hot, but if you like epic fantasy and you want an interesting,
challenging game that has more than just blood and gore, try this.
A very good buy.
Overall 9 out of 10
Excellent game, especially for its age. Graphics and sound aren't spectacular,
but game play is good. Interesting, addictive, fun. One of the best games I've
come across for the NES.