Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II

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Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II
Box art of Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II, with Fabio as Kuros.
Developer(s) Rare
Publisher(s) Acclaim
Release date(s) NA December, 1989
EU March 27, 1991
Genre(s) Action-adventure game
Mode(s) Single player
Platform(s) NES

Ironsword: Wizards and Warriors II is the second video game in the Wizards and Warriors trilogy for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was developed by Rare and first released in 1989 by Acclaim. The hero of the series, Kuros, must face off once again against the evil wizard Malkil, who has taken control of the four elementals of the world - wind, water, fire and earth.

The map of the four elemental realms.
The map of the four elemental realms.

Each of the four elemental realms consists of two stages. In the first stage, Kuros must find a golden artifact which belongs to the Animal King of the realm; once accomplished, the path to the second part of the realm will appear. In the second stage, the goal is to find the magic spell which can be used to fight the elemental boss. Without the spell, it is impossible to damage the boss. Once the elemental in each stage has been destroyed, Kuros will pick up a piece of the legendary Iron Sword, which is needed for the final battle on Icefire Mountain.

A few new elements were introduced in this installment of the series. Gems and keys still exist, although the former are used for monetary purposes and the latter can be stored to open any chest Kuros comes across. Shops are located in each level, which sell weapons, food and magic spells. Kuros can also gamble in a game of chance at each shop, where the goal is to guess which cup a skull will land in. New to the series were magic spells which give Kuros special abilities for a limited period of time. Some spells can be used at any time, while others are only for specific situations.

Kuros in battle against the Water Elemental.
Kuros in battle against the Water Elemental.

Although the game is slightly easier than its predecessor, continues are now limited. The player can only rely on two continues, and cannot continue the game at any point after completing the Fire stage (the third of five major levels). Despite this, the game still includes a 12-letter password system.

Contents

[edit] Items and Equipment

There are a number of objects which can be acquired in the game, either by purchasing them in shops or found in treasure chests.

  • Keys: Keys are needed to open treasure chests.
  • Coins: Worth 50 Gold.
  • Jewels: Small ones are worth 100 Gold. Large ones are worth 200 Gold.
  • Small Chicken and Beer: Replenishes Health
  • Large Chicken: A poisonous chicken that depletes your Health.
  • Iron Sword: The final sword in the game. It can shoot projectiles.
  • Diamond sword: Large Sword that kills many things in one hit.
  • The Axe: Axe with similar Power to the Diamond Sword.
  • Shields: Increases defence when being attacked from the front. The Diamond Shield offers the best defense.
  • Helmets: Increases defense when being attacked from above. The Diamond Helmet offers the best defense.
  • Kuros Doll: These increase your number of lives by one.
  • Seven league boots: Increases your jump height and running speed.
  • Key Item: Each of the beginning levels require you to collect an item to proceed to the next stage. Level one requires a Golden Egg. The items needed in later levels are : Golden Fly, Golden Crown, and the Golden Bucket.
  • Items of Sindarin: Point increasing items. These items are a book, a cross, a gauntlet, and a ring. Their value varies between 10,000-100,000 points.

[edit] Spells

There are scrolls found throughout the game which contain spells. Some are needed to advance in the game, some aren't.

  • Silver fleece: Makes you invulnerable for a short time.
  • Familiar spell: A familiar that follows you and protects you by changing enemies into coins. It also can help you by snatching out of reach items.
  • Veil of slumber: Slows down most common enemies.
  • Waterspout: Creates a waterspout which launches you high in the air.
  • Fleet foot spell: Increases your jump length and speed.
  • Dragon tooth spell: Changes enemies into Small Chicken.
  • Asp's tongue spell: Causes the shopkeeper to throw small chickens to you.
  • Windbane: Needed to defeat the current levels boss.
  • BlightWater: Needed to defeat the current levels boss.
  • Earthscorch: Needed to defeat the current levels boss.
  • Firesmite: Needed to defeat the current levels boss.

[edit] List of games

[edit] Trivia

  • Fabio Lanzoni appears as Kuros on the game’s box cover, but does not make an in-game appearance.
  • Kuros was also one of the characters in the 1990 cartoon The Power Team. His appearance resembles Fabio's rather than his game's self.

[edit] External links