Released for the Sega Master System, Heroes of the Lance is an action-adventure side-scroller based on the classic Dungeons & Dragons Dragonlance campaign setting. Developed by U.S. Gold and Tiertex, the game puts you in command of eight distinct heroes tasked with venturing into the ruined city of Xak Tsaroth to recover the sacred Disks of Mishakal. Rather than a traditional turn-based RPG, it plays as a real-time side-scroller where you control one active party member at a time, switching between them to utilize their unique weapons, spells, and abilities against various fantasy monsters.
How to Play
Your objective is to survive the labyrinthine dungeon and defeat the black dragon Khisanth. You control one hero at a time, with the rest of the party waiting in reserve. Use the arrow keys to move, duck, or navigate through doors. Press Z to attack or use the active character’s primary weapon, and press X to jump or cast spells, depending on the selected hero. You can switch your active character from the roster at any time to adapt to different combat encounters or replace a fallen party member.
Tips
- Protect your spellcasters: Characters like Raistlin have powerful ranged magic but very low health. Only bring them forward when their spells are specifically needed.
- Utilize Goldmoon’s healing: Goldmoon carries the Blue Crystal Staff, which can heal the party. Keep her safe, as her recovery magic is essential for enduring the lengthy dungeon.
- Manage your roster: Melee fighters like Caramon and Sturm are best for dealing with standard enemies. Keep your weaker characters out of direct combat.
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