This was a very fair review of this game. I used to play this game as a kid and a couple years back I finally managed to beat it. I agree that using the sword is completely useless and basicly you're just running and jumping through stages. I love the atmosphere and the music this game has and that is the reason I still enjoy playing this every now and then. :)
I loved Ironsword. Played lots of it comin up back in the day-ay. Kuros doesn’t get any love as a Nintendo character. He deserves an Amiibo and to be welcomed to Smash Bros. Great job on your video, liked n subbed.
I wasn't aware that so many people didn't like this game! I always liked this game, despite its flaws. For what it's worth, I think that this is the best Wizards and Warriors game.
Sweet shirt! I've had this game for 20+ years and haven't touched it more than maybe twice. I remember not being able to get into it. I should give it another shot.
Small correction: When you get to the Earthen Caverns, THAT is when the game disables continues. Plus the first half of that area also has the only Inn that offers extra lives for sale at a whopping 5k a pop.
@@dezm101 anytime! I learned that from the "You Can Beat Video Games" vid on this. He even shows the code AND pattern to rig the gambling game. I think it was hold B+Select on password entry and hit Start. Then the pattern will be outer-left, outer-right, inner-right, and inner-left before repeating.
I think the 1st W&W game is infinitely easier to beat. But I've always loved Ironsword: W&W2 more for the settings, added gameplay elements, improved visuals and the amazing music. I've never beaten Ironsword. But I still love it. And still own my original NES copy.
I didn’t have an NES back in the day, was born in 1987, got my NES in 2005, bought my copy of Ironsword last month. I tried to get into the game, but why is my character’s attach range so short? I can’t tell if the enemy attacked first or I did, I will give the game another chance, but I do feel that this game needed a bit of retooling before it was released.
the attack button is really only effective if you have an elemental spell active and it will shoot out when you press it. The way the game expects you to use the weapon when you dont have a spell, is to jump into enemies with the tip of the weapon hitting them. Its very awkward and seems like it wouldnt work, but that is just how they made the game lol
I thought Iron Sword was a cool game. The exploration aspect was probably my favorite part and the combat was difficult to get down . It definitely reminds me of Battletoads where I think it’s a pretty good game overall, but some of the design decisions were very strange and hold it back from being a truly great game.
I totally agree, if I were new to the game it would be tough to recommend it because of how different it is. I think the design choices in Battletoads was more fine tuned.
Man Ironsword should have been so good but....it's quite the letdown to me. I want to like it but the game is very flawed. But that's just me and my opinion. The music however is outstanding in fine Rare tradition. Well done Dez!
Whenever I think of Wizards and Warriors I always think of you and the cool video you made, your opinions on the game helped inspire me to make the video!
The first two times I played Ironsword I hated it. I usually got my ass kicked on the first level and Game Over'd. But when I started to get the hang of the mechanics I actually really started to enjoy it, It has a great balance of exploration and linear level design. It's not overwhelming, but still allows you to look around a bit and find possible secret rooms, upgrades, extra lives (which you'll absolutely need), money, etc. The other thing I want to mention is the upgrade system and shops, one of the cooler aspects of this game is the strategy of how to spend your money. There are multiple times where you might be able to afford a new helmet or shield, but you also don't want to risk being at low cash for when you might need food, or for a later shop which might have another essential item. There's plenty of strategy with how to handle your money, but even if you go one way or the other, the game still provides you with enough equipment to do well just by looking around. I'm not going to deny the many problems with it, the bad hit detection, which leads to scenarios where some enemies just absolutely decimate you with one tap on the right ass cheek. Also theres the horrendous continue system where you get punished for progressing, and the unrelenting, infinite swarm of enemies which goes against the idea of looking around and exploring, it just makes it so you need to rush through or die. I don't know though, I had a lot of fun with it, Don't think I'll ever beat it again, but it's a solid addition to an NES collection, when you can forgive the issues.
good call on the items, sometimes I will spend extra time to get the diamond sword at the store, but I hate when I accidentally lose it because I grabbed the wrong item in a chest. For the shield and helmet I have a hard time being able to tell if they actually help the damage or not haha - but still the items in the game provide a cool system of incentive and it adds to the replayability of the game. I should have mentioned it! When I got this game I borrowed it from a friend for about a year and it was one of 5 games I had so I played it a ton trying to figure out how to get through it and it eventually grew on me quite a lot.
I don't remember anybody hating on the game. Was a bit hard (yet not overly cheap) but looked effin great. Soundtrack kicked ass. Definitely B-tier game.
34 years ago when i played it as a kid, mastered Castlevania 1 without holy fire and guides game a and game b, losing no life in game a, played multiple times through wizard & warriors 1 which was way too easy, i was so angry at Ironsword, it had good music, but i was mauled every time in the last fight by the 4 mini elementals. Thats what happens, if you play without a guide, and no internet is availible for you. Battletoads was even worse hehe
Love this game, gets a playthrough every couple years. Kuros needs a comeback in a bad way - so many other 8 bit franchises get their fair share of love!
Two big problems with this game: 1) the sword is useless. It starts out 1 inch long, and kills nothing. 2) the last boss is far harder than the rest of the game
I don't have many favorites in life but Ironsword has my favorite NES music.
This was a very fair review of this game. I used to play this game as a kid and a couple years back I finally managed to beat it. I agree that using the sword is completely useless and basicly you're just running and jumping through stages. I love the atmosphere and the music this game has and that is the reason I still enjoy playing this every now and then. :)
It was worked on by the Pickford Brothers, who would later make Plok on the SNES :) (also explains the art style)
Hey Larry thanks so much for stopping by the channel and sharing the awesome information! I appreciate it alot! cheers!
@@dezm101 No worries dude, I'm really enjoying your "In defence of..." series, have you got any more planned in the future? :)
@@Larry yeah I have a few more I am thinking of including Virtua Racing on Saturn and Flying Dragon on NES
@@dezm101 Ooh, those sund great, Pandamoneium did an amazing retrospective on the saturn versions history, but definitely looking forward to those!!!
I loved Ironsword. Played lots of it comin up back in the day-ay. Kuros doesn’t get any love as a Nintendo character. He deserves an Amiibo and to be welcomed to Smash Bros. Great job on your video, liked n subbed.
hey thank you so much for the comment and subbing! That would be pretty awesome to see Kuros come back and make an appearance in Smash
Id buy that Amiibo
I wasn't aware that so many people didn't like this game! I always liked this game, despite its flaws. For what it's worth, I think that this is the best Wizards and Warriors game.
Sweet shirt! I've had this game for 20+ years and haven't touched it more than maybe twice. I remember not being able to get into it. I should give it another shot.
Small correction: When you get to the Earthen Caverns, THAT is when the game disables continues. Plus the first half of that area also has the only Inn that offers extra lives for sale at a whopping 5k a pop.
thank you for the awesome information! I always love to learn more about this game
@@dezm101 anytime! I learned that from the "You Can Beat Video Games" vid on this. He even shows the code AND pattern to rig the gambling game. I think it was hold B+Select on password entry and hit Start. Then the pattern will be outer-left, outer-right, inner-right, and inner-left before repeating.
I think the 1st W&W game is infinitely easier to beat. But I've always loved Ironsword: W&W2 more for the settings, added gameplay elements, improved visuals and the amazing music.
I've never beaten Ironsword. But I still love it. And still own my original NES copy.
I definitely remember video power back in 1990 used to come on earlier in the morning on channel 9.. before It switch to the game show format.
I didn’t have an NES back in the day, was born in 1987, got my NES in 2005, bought my copy of Ironsword last month. I tried to get into the game, but why is my character’s attach range so short? I can’t tell if the enemy attacked first or I did, I will give the game another chance, but I do feel that this game needed a bit of retooling before it was released.
the attack button is really only effective if you have an elemental spell active and it will shoot out when you press it. The way the game expects you to use the weapon when you dont have a spell, is to jump into enemies with the tip of the weapon hitting them. Its very awkward and seems like it wouldnt work, but that is just how they made the game lol
I thought Iron Sword was a cool game. The exploration aspect was probably my favorite part and the combat was difficult to get down . It definitely reminds me of Battletoads where I think it’s a pretty good game overall, but some of the design decisions were very strange and hold it back from being a truly great game.
I totally agree, if I were new to the game it would be tough to recommend it because of how different it is. I think the design choices in Battletoads was more fine tuned.
@@dezm101 true, you can definitely see Rare’s slow transformation from a good dev to a great one.
I liked this game, but I never understood exactly how all the items worked. It was also a good game Genie game since the game was hard.
Kuros without his upgrade helmets looks hilarious
I love the game :D I made a song where I reference that he looks like John from Garfield (it's in portuguese).
Man Ironsword should have been so good but....it's quite the letdown to me. I want to like it but the game is very flawed. But that's just me and my opinion. The music however is outstanding in fine Rare tradition. Well done Dez!
Whenever I think of Wizards and Warriors I always think of you and the cool video you made, your opinions on the game helped inspire me to make the video!
What do you get if you collect all of the Sindarin equipment pieces?
great question, as far as I know, they are just for points. But they seem really cool and I wish they did something more if you collect them all 🙄
The first two times I played Ironsword I hated it. I usually got my ass kicked on the first level and Game Over'd. But when I started to get the hang of the mechanics I actually really started to enjoy it, It has a great balance of exploration and linear level design. It's not overwhelming, but still allows you to look around a bit and find possible secret rooms, upgrades, extra lives (which you'll absolutely need), money, etc. The other thing I want to mention is the upgrade system and shops, one of the cooler aspects of this game is the strategy of how to spend your money. There are multiple times where you might be able to afford a new helmet or shield, but you also don't want to risk being at low cash for when you might need food, or for a later shop which might have another essential item. There's plenty of strategy with how to handle your money, but even if you go one way or the other, the game still provides you with enough equipment to do well just by looking around. I'm not going to deny the many problems with it, the bad hit detection, which leads to scenarios where some enemies just absolutely decimate you with one tap on the right ass cheek. Also theres the horrendous continue system where you get punished for progressing, and the unrelenting, infinite swarm of enemies which goes against the idea of looking around and exploring, it just makes it so you need to rush through or die. I don't know though, I had a lot of fun with it, Don't think I'll ever beat it again, but it's a solid addition to an NES collection, when you can forgive the issues.
good call on the items, sometimes I will spend extra time to get the diamond sword at the store, but I hate when I accidentally lose it because I grabbed the wrong item in a chest. For the shield and helmet I have a hard time being able to tell if they actually help the damage or not haha - but still the items in the game provide a cool system of incentive and it adds to the replayability of the game. I should have mentioned it! When I got this game I borrowed it from a friend for about a year and it was one of 5 games I had so I played it a ton trying to figure out how to get through it and it eventually grew on me quite a lot.
In fact, from the W&W Trilogy, Ironsword is my favorite!
Just got this game today for 6 bucks. Can’t wait to play it.
I don't remember anybody hating on the game. Was a bit hard (yet not overly cheap) but looked effin great. Soundtrack kicked ass. Definitely B-tier game.
The end of the game is what's hard
34 years ago when i played it as a kid, mastered Castlevania 1 without holy fire and guides game a and game b, losing no life in game a, played multiple times through wizard & warriors 1 which was way too easy, i was so angry at Ironsword, it had good music, but i was mauled every time in the last fight by the 4 mini elementals.
Thats what happens, if you play without a guide, and no internet is availible for you.
Battletoads was even worse hehe
Love this game, gets a playthrough every couple years. Kuros needs a comeback in a bad way - so many other 8 bit franchises get their fair share of love!
I would love that if Kuros made a comeback!
The Dezio thumbnail! :D
Two big problems with this game:
1) the sword is useless. It starts out 1 inch long, and kills nothing.
2) the last boss is far harder than the rest of the game
5:24 I want that on a shirt
MashAllah
Beautiful video
Allah bless u and your family
♥️🌹♥️🌹♥️🌹
Iron sword rocks
I played the first one when I was young I never played this one; two continues; what were they thinking.. that's what made Ninja gaiden 3 awful.