Magician Lord 2? CD only game?

StarPhoenix

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I was just searching around for Magician Lord info when I came across references to Magician Lord 2. I swear I remember hearing something about this game back in the day...was it ever released? If so, what format is it available on? I read somewhere it was a CD only game...

Star Phoenix
 

The_Chosen_One

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But wasn't there talk about it and for some reason it just didn't come out? I don't remember exactly but I believe the master list has it on the bottom as an unreleased game.
 

Daisuke Jigen

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I know it was listed as "coming soon" in a lot of mags, but a few people like Chad Okada (the REAL Okada, not Billy Pitt) have said it was just wishful thinking.
 

StarPhoenix

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>>Crossed Swords 2 was however, a CD exclusive.>>

Ahh...Crossed Swords 1 is a classic...I never got very far though. That one is next on my list but for now I'm too busy with SS1 and Magician Lord...and waiting for Samurai Spirits 2 to arrive...

Star Phoenix
 

Kirk Foiden

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Whoah. Crossed Swords. I remember playing that back in the day. Used to love that game. Kind of reminded me of what you get if you combined Punch Out with Super Spy, and a dash of Golden Axe 2 (particularly for the forward scrolling segments and fantasy atmosphere) I remember those dark knights used to kick my butt in that game. But I could get far enough to break in that castle and fight them. :)

I didn't even know a Crossed Swords 2 existed. Would've loved to see that.
 

Lou Gojira

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I didn't even know a Crossed Swords 2 existed. Would've loved to see that.
You're not missing a whole lot. I got it a couple years back and compared to the first one, it's kinda' a turd. That's not to say the game sucks. On it's own it's pretty cool, but after witnessing the power and the majesty of the original Crossed Swords (is it obvious it's one of my favorite games?) it falls short. The sad part is that with some tweaking and a little more time spent on the graphics (this game is as bad about copy and paste as Metal Slug 4, but at least the graphics are freshly drawn for CS2), it could've been a real jewel.
 

Baseley09

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Agreed, i recently gotr CS2, and am "underwhelmed".

Its ok, but not exciting as a cd exclusive sounds.

The main problem is that the enemies are repetitive and as thus is generally boring, with a weak soundtrack.

<small>[ May 14, 2003, 10:17 AM: Message edited by: Baseley09 ]</small>
 
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I've also heard rumors of an unfinished Magician Lord 2 years back.

Crossed Swords is a great game, thats for sure.

Now, if Playmore could ever do a real RPG on AES...
 

Blaster Keaton

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I got a preview of Crossed Swords 2 with a couple of screen shots in my old EGM from April 1995. It's got 3 heroes one of them being female.
 

TheBigBB

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Electroman:
I've also heard rumors of an unfinished Magician Lord 2 years back.

Crossed Swords is a great game, thats for sure.

Now, if Playmore could ever do a real RPG on AES...
Because, there definitely aren't ten thousand RPGs available on other systems.
 

Kirk Foiden

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Funny enough, the magic of Crossed Swords is because it is definitely not an RPG. The fast arcade weapon clanging action of Crossed Swords just doesn't happen in RPGs. This game is so approachable from a fighting aspect that no true RPG could substitute its sublime go in and get em style. It's a fantasy-based first person perspective fighting arcade adventure, unlike any other. The quick action combined with the lack of having to manage the laundry list you do in RPGs, is a nice throw back to a game enjoyed on its simpler merits.

Of course, the FULL RPG version of stuff like this would be something like the great Wizardry 8(bet you can tell which is my current favorite First Person dungeon crawler). But it definitely is nowhere near the same feel, and it is certainly not a pick-up-n-play experience like CS is.

<small>[ May 14, 2003, 02:12 PM: Message edited by: Kirk Foiden ]</small>
 

StarPhoenix

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Yeah, Wizardry 8 is a great game...but the original Wizardry games where you are just trapped in a single multi level dungeon with nothing but vector graphics for walls and static monsters....those are the days I dream of returning to... :) Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is the true classic and even Wizardry 8 cannot topple it!!

As for Crossed Swords being an RPG I was thinking about this today...if it's an RPG at all, then it's definetely an action RPG but as I can remember, there's not a whole lot of freedom to choose where you want to go, correct? Is there a leveling up system at all?(Can't remember...been ten years since I played Crossed Swords!).

CADASH (Developed by Taito?) was the truly great Arcade attempt at an RPG. That game is still one of my favorite arcade games of all time...It was an action rpg but it had all the elements required to make it an RPG. You also had freedom to backtrack if you felt like it or needed to. Plus, it was multi player!

>>Of course, the FULL RPG version of stuff like this would be something like the great Wizardry 8(bet you can tell which is my current favorite First Person dungeon crawler). But it definitely is nowhere near the same feel, and it is certainly not a pick-up-n-play experience like CS is.>>>
 

Kirk Foiden

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Yeah, you did actually level up in Crossed Swords. Of course, the main thing being that it increased your max health and stuff. (Don't remember if it permanently increased your weapon power and look each time, though) I maybe incorrectly remembering that.

I think I saw CADASH once or twice. I believe in Ocean City Maryland. It looked very nice, but I didn't have time to play it them. Shame, because once it dissappeared from the arcade there, it never returned. Now you make me want to play that one.

<small>[ May 14, 2003, 02:56 PM: Message edited by: Kirk Foiden ]</small>
 

Comrade Porn King Mikhail

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Whoa, I can't believe anyone can possibly bash Crossed Swords 2 eek_2

The gameplay has been toned down from the cheapness exhibited in the first part to the point where not only can you initiate attacks that will hit, but you can actually see patterns in the enemies' attacks. Your ability to block has been improved as well, as most attacks have a definite animation frame that will guide your blocking. Although the enemies are still repetitive, they are more detailed and better animated than the first game.

In terms of music, even disregarding the CD surround sound, the tunes themselves are darker and more ominous. The sound effects are crisper and less annoying. Control-wise, you are now able to jump and slash, dash sideways to escape or attack, move around the entire screen, and double-team an enemy. Add in the three completely different characters, a more rewarding health/gold bonus system, and a boss challenge mode and you have a complete upgrade and a truly beefed-up sequel that should have seen an MVS/home cart release. Of all the non-MVS/proto releases, I think this is the best hidden jewel.

Sincerely,

Mikhail
 

SoloFenris

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Blaster Keaton:
I got a preview of Crossed Swords 2 with a couple of screen shots in my old EGM from April 1995. It's got 3 heroes one of them being female.
I have seen about five people say this but I never saw this issue. Pony up some scans cause I want to see these screens bad.

Jeff
 
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