Sword Master is a side-scrolling action game released for the NES in 1992. Developed by Athena, players take control of a lone knight on a quest to defeat an evil wizard and his demonic army. The game stands out for its large, detailed enemy sprites, impressive parallax scrolling, and a deliberate combat system that requires you to actively use your shield to block incoming attacks rather than simply rushing forward.
How to Play
You must fight your way through multiple challenging stages, defeating bosses to unlock powerful new magic spells. For the default NES web emulator controls, use the Arrow keys to move, crouch, or angle your shield. Press the Z key to swing your sword or cast magic, and the X key to jump. Use the Enter key for Start and the Shift key for Select.
Tips
- Master the shield: Blocking is mandatory for survival. Enemies strike at different heights, so pay close attention to their animations to know whether to block high or low.
- Conserve your magic: Defeating bosses grants you magic spells that provide powerful ranged attacks. Magic energy is limited, so save it for the toughest encounters and boss battles.
Leave a Comment / Review: