Fire 'n Ice

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Fire 'n Ice

Developer(s)	Tecmo
Publisher(s)	Tecmo
Platform(s)	NES
Release date	1993
Genre(s)	Puzzle game
Mode(s)	Single player
Media	2 megabit cartridge
Input methods	NES controller

Fire 'n Ice is a scarce puzzle game released in limited numbers by Tecmo for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It is the prequel to Solomon's Key, and is known as Solomon's Key 2 in Europe and Japan.

The aim of the game involves players extinguishing all fires in a level in order to proceed. They do this by having the ability to create or melt ice (in a Lode Runner style) or kick ice onto the fires. This game also has a level editor, but only the Japanese version permits saving the levels one creates.

[edit] The story

The following is taken from the video game's instruction booklet:

The Rescue of Coolmint Island

This is a story from long ago, when the powerful wizard Dana was just a beginner. In the sea to the far north, there was a small island made of ice. This island was called "Coolmint Island". On this beautiful little island of ice, there were many Winter Fairies all living in peace.

But one day...

The wicked wizard Druidle appeared, and let flames loose on Coolmint Island! The flames scattered all over the island, and little by little, they began to melt the ice. The little island was in terrible danger!! The Winter Fairies were determined to do something to save their island, but they were not strong enough to face the flames by themselves. The Queen of the Fairies knew about the danger the Winter Fairies were facing, so she called forth a wizard to fight against the flames let loose by Druidle.

The one chosen by the Queen of the Fairies to defend the island was Dana. This was a tremendous surprise to everybody. Dana was still just an apprentice and had very little magic power of his own. But the Queen knew that Dana had intelligence and possessed more courage than anyone else. Then the Queen gave Dana some special magic that could be used to put out the wicked flames.

"And what happened after that, Grandmother?"

"Well... that's where Dana's adventure begins."

[edit] The Characters

Dana is the protagonist of the game. He is a novice wizard with ice magic which was given to him from the Queen of the Fairies. He is also the main character in Solomon's Key, but in Fire 'N Ice he has different abilities and has been given a graphical make-over. Dana's attire includes a green hat and shirt, an orange cape and boots, and blue pants. He also carries with him the ice wand.
The Queen of the Fairies is the beautiful monarch of Coolmint Island. She gives Dana the ice magic, but does not play a prominent role in the in-game story.
Druidle, the evil wizard, is the villain. He is the one who created the flames that must be put out through the game's puzzles. He is also the game's final boss.
The elderly lady serves as the storyteller, and her green-haired grandchildren are the audience.