Magic Sword

Overview

The player controls an unnamed character - referred to as the "brave one" - through 51 levels to the top of the Dragon's Tower. At the top of the tower,  the dark lord Drokmar possesses the Black Orb. Your goal is to traverse the tower and stop Drokmar's plan to rule the world with the power of the magic crystal. There are two endings to the game; your ending depends on whether you embrace or destroy the Black Orb.
 

Gameplay  

The game is primarily a hack and slash sidescroller but also includes platforming in the form of parallel paths of travel and avoiding ground hazards. As you progress, you'll encounter new swords that cause increased damage and have different magic attacks. Most swords are acquired immediately after a boss battle at the end of certain levels. You may open chests and doors to reveal items and allies respectively. However, some chests and doors are traps that release enemies or other hazards. Doors also require keys to open, which are collected and stored by the player. Only one ally can travel with you at a time, and has its own health and level associated with it. Allies level up with items or by passing over the same type of ally again. The game also features a level select option, allowing the player to skip to level 5, 9, 13, 22, 26, 30, or 33.

Secrets

Most levels have at least one hidden chest. A secret chest is invisible unless you have the Thief ally, crystal ball item, or you strike it with your sword to open it. Some levels have secret doors that warp the player one or more floors ahead when used. These doors can never be seen until activated.
 

Version Differences

The SNES version of the game removed some enemies from the game and moves one of the bosses to a different floor. The version of Magic Sword in Final Fight: Double Impact follows the arcade version.
 

Weapons & Items

 

Swords

Falchion - Level 0
Samurai Sword - Level 4
Broad Sword - Level 12
Flame Sword - Level 24
Great Sword - Level 36
Sword of Thunder - Level 43
 

Single-Use Items

Food - Adds various amounts of health
Coins - Adds to score depending on size
Keys - Stored until used on doors
Red Heart - Raises ally's level
Blue Heart - Refills ally's health
Glowing Coal - Lowers ally's level
Mushroom - Disables player attack for a short time (same as scorpion enemy). Ally may still attack.
Fairy Egg - Causes a fairy to appear (drops three food items)
Jewels & Other Items - Add various amounts to score
 

Inventory Items

Last two floors or until replaced.
Gauntlet - Increases sword damage
King's Crown - Reduces damage
Magic Potion - Reduces magic recharge time
Pendant - Double score obtained
Golden Pot - Ally heals faster
Scroll - Makes more items appear
Crystal Ball - Reveals secret chests
Diamond Ring - Allows Lizardman and Thief to be recruited.
 

Bosses

 
Entrance - Chimera
Level 4 - Dragon
Level 12 - Chimera 2
Level 17 - Dragon 2
Level 24 - Twin Worms
Level 36 - Hydra
Level 49 - Chimera 3
Level 50 - Lord Drokmar
 

Allies

 
Amazon - Fast but low firepower. Fires two consecutive crossbow bolts in a straight line. Leveling up increases firepower.

Bigman - Tough and very powerful but very slow. Throws a large axe that automatically returns in a boomerang fashion. Leveling up increases damage and speed.

Knight - Very tough and very powerful. Throws multiple spears in a spreading, forward path. Leveling up increases damage and number of spears thrown.

Lizardman - Tough and powerful. Throws multiple swords in a straight line. Leveling up increases damage and number of swords thrown. Can only be recruited when holding a diamond ring; otherwise, he attacks you.

Ninja - Fast but weak and low firepower. Throws multiple throwing stars in a spreading, forward path. His throwing stars ricochet off of surfaces. Leveling up increases firepower and number of throwing stars.

Priest - Average with slow recharge. Fires three homing magical orbs and casts a protective barrier around himself. His attack does increased damage against undead enemies. Leveling up increases damage and protective barrier.

Thief - Weak with average firepower. Throws one or more bombs in a short, forward arc. Can detect hidden chests and traps. Requires the diamond ring to recruit. Leveling up increases firepower and the number of bombs thrown.

Wizard - Very high firepower but very slow recharge. Fires two or four magical orbs (depending on recharge time) in a forward spiral. Orbs also create a circling barrier when charge. Leveling up increases damage and orb size.