Dungeon Magic

For the Nintendo Entertainment System game, see Dungeon Magic: Sword of the Elements.

Dungeon Magic / Light Bringer
Arcade flyer of Light Bringer (Japanese version of Dungeon Magic).
Developer(s)	Taito
Publisher(s)	Taito
Composer(s)	Norihiro Furukawa[1]
Platform(s)	Arcade
Release date(s)	1994
Genre(s)	Beat'em up
Mode(s)	Multiplayer, Single Player (NES)
Cabinet	Upright
Arcade system	Taito F3 System hardware
CPU	68EC020 (@ 16 Mhz)
Sound	68000 (@ 16 Mhz), ES5505 (@ 15.23805 Mhz)
Display	Raster, 320 x 224 pixels (Horizontal), 8192 colors

Dungeon Magic, known in Japan as Lightbringer (ライトブリンガー^?), is a 1994 arcade game by Taito Corporation Japan and it also included on Taito Legends 2. Unlike most medieval/fantasy beat 'em ups it featured an isometric viewing angle, some platforming (usually involving players stacking rocks or crates to climb on and jump to treasure chests), unusually large stylised sprites, and variable blood/gore settings.

Gameplay

In this game, up to four players can choose four characters in four different occupations: a knight, a brawler, an archer and a wizard. Collecting treasure gave the characters experience points, and levelling up shortened the time it took a character to charge his/her super attack (by holding the attack button).

In addition to treasure, items included food (which restored health) elemental upgrades to weapons (which made them stronger against specific opponents) various single-use thrown weapons (and a five-shot crossbow), shields that would automatically block enemy attacks for a short time, and refills for a player's "magic" (basically a desperation move). Often, instead of items or treasure, a chest/barrel/etc. would contain a trap like "freezing smoke", poison gas, lightning, or even traps that temporarily transformed the player into small animals who could move but not attack.

The enemies in the game were fairly standard for fantasy arcade games, including orcs, slimes, lizardmen, werewolves, carnivorous plants, harpies, and others. Bosses included demons, giant snakes, spider-women, and more. The game also featured numerous branching paths that presented different rooms, secret areas, and even different bosses, and had to be played through multiple times to see all of the rooms available.

Plot

The evil magician has brought an evil spirit back to life and is plotting to seize control of the kingdom, and has kidnapped the princess for use as a sacrifice. Four warriors venture into the world of magic to save the princess of the kingdom from the wicked magician: Ash the knight, Gren the roving warrior, Cisty the elf, who whole family was destroyed by the evil spirit in the past, and the old magician Vold with the magic staff must now set off to save the princess.

Characters

Ash - Although Ash is the main character of the game, he should not be considered a "balanced" character as is typical of many protagonists in similar games. He has many weaknesses compared to few strengths. Some of his weaknesses are a slow attack speed and a vulnerable special attack that has a very limited usage. His strengths are high combo damage (although his means of achieving it are not as effective as the other characters) and, oddly enough, the most useful throw in the game. His desperation attack has a long duration, but its effectiveness is negated by low damage and its knockdown feature on all creatures but the giant serpents (which put together lower its damage potential). Ash is best used by expert players.

Gren - Gren is a balanced and versatile character. His special attack is mildly useful, and benefits greatly from the decreased charging time from high experience levels; however, it does not deal elemental damage. His combo attack is quick and excellent for performing infinite combos, but is better left unfinished as the last hit is very slow. Therefore, the hidden Power Gauntlet is the best choice to utilize Gren's punches to the fullest, rather than relying on his non-elemental special attack. Lastly, Gren has the best dashing attack in the game; it can deal elemental damage, does high damage, and has excellent priority. Overall, Gren has no weaknesses but no overwhelming strengths either.

Cisty - Cisty is a prominently long range fighter who also performs well in other areas. Her combo, as with Ash, is slow to come out but is effective when it connects. Her biggest weakness is against the first boss as she lacks any moves to effectively hit it with. Cisty's bomb attack can potentially hit every enemy on screen, but is very inconsistent and furthermore leaves her vulnerable afterwards. Her throw is especially dangerous to use as it leaves her widely vulnerable. However, Cisty's strength lies in her special attack which allows her to safely pick off enemies before they can reach her. Overall, Cisty is a much improved Ash as she is superior in most aspects.

Vold - Vold is the most powerful character in the game. His bomb attack is the most effective, covering excellent range, doing excellent damage, and being able to hit enemies twice due to its long duration. Vold alone has unique special attacks for each elemental weapon: some, such as the fire, ice, and holy staff, are much better than the others. The holy staff is the ultimate weapon in the game, allowing the powerful Vold to become nigh unstoppable. Thanks to his immensely overpowered special attacks, Vold is the easiest character to beat the game with. Vold's only weakness is his throw. His low combo damage is negated by the fact that he is the easiest character to perform infinite combos with, as his first combo attack has the least startup and lag. Vold is the most effective character in the game whether he is used by beginners or experts alike.

References

1. ^ Closing credits of Dungeon Magic / Light Bringer.

External links

• Dungeon Magic guide at StrategyWiki
• Dungeon Magic at GameFAQs
• Dungeon Magic at the Killer List of Videogames
• Dungeon Magic at arcade-history