Blade Master

Game Details:

"Blade Master" is an arcade side-scrolling Beat 'em up game released by Irem using the M-92 hardware in 1991. The game supports 1–2 players in cooperation, controlling Roy (light sword, quick attack) or Arnold (heavy armor, slow attack), and has seven levels, each with a final Boss. The scenes include canyons, bridges, underwater floating sections, and castle platforms. Gameplay includes destroying jars to obtain "Water of Life" to restore health or collect coins and crystals to accumulate points. In terms of technology, it uses the NEC V33+YM2151 audio chip, with detailed graphics and rich sound samples. The industry's evaluation is mixed; the beautiful graphics and impact are affirmed, but the repetitive enemies and the fast-paced difficulty are also criticized.

Editor's Recommendation:

Choosing "Blade Master", you will experience Irem's artistic explosion in the 16-bit arcade era - gorgeous and exquisite 2D graphics and sample sound effects, while retaining the hardcore and thrilling feeling of Beat 'em up. Compared with contemporaries like "Golden Axe" and "Knights of the Round", this game focuses more on the hardcore actions and coherent rhythm of the characters, suitable for players who like retro hack and slash, graphic style, and challenges. Although the later levels' enemies are slightly repetitive, the Boss design is unique, and the gameplay adds health recovery and collection elements, stimulating cooperative combat. It is a "hidden gem" in arcades that cannot be missed.

Game Guide:

I. Character Selection and Gameplay Differences

• Roy (Swordsman): Fast speed, suitable for flexible dodging and active combos; jump sword and light combos are preferred.
• Arnold (Lancer): High attack power, wide range but slow, suitable for stand-and-control, especially advantageous against large groups of enemies.

II. Item Utilization Skills

• When destroying jars or water jugs, prioritize finding the "Water of Life" health recovery item, which can save your life at critical moments.
• Collect treasures (golden statues, crowns, crystals) at the same time to get high scores, to help achieve higher ratings and hidden rewards.

III. Level Rhythm Control

• Use stand-and-attack to deal with regular enemies in the early stages; in the mid-to-late stage Boss battles, you need to grasp their attack rhythm for blocking and counterattack (parry), thwarting the Boss's actions and causing counter damage.
• For floating sections (such as riding flying insects), the battle requires maintaining direction movement and jumping-stabbing balance to avoid area attacks.

IV. Boss Countermeasures

• Each Boss has its own weaknesses, such as: the double-axe knight is more easily interrupted by jump attacks, and the three-body Boss should first focus on killing one to dismantle the combat power in the initial stage.
• The final level's dual-snake-woman Boss will release lightning sword attacks and continuous hoarse "moaning" sound effects. It is recommended to use Arnold as the main character, using the spear for ranged attacks and quickly escaping the attack range.

V. Cooperative Strategy Suggestions

• Cooperative gameplay: Roy is responsible for quickly clearing the field, while Arnold handles Bosses and guards key areas.
• Synchronize health recovery and item allocation to avoid repeated jar breaking leading to resource waste.
• The two should avoid being knocked away by the Boss at the same time, and can control the battle rhythm by alternating suppression.

VI. Difficulty and In-App Purchase Tips

• The game difficulty is high (the "coin-eating" characteristic is obvious), it is recommended to use Continue for solo challenges, otherwise, it is recommended to use the cooperative mode to share the pressure.
• Skilled mastery of combos and blocks will significantly improve efficiency and survival rate.

Summary: Making good use of character strengths and weaknesses, reasonably allocating resources and cooperative tacit understanding, is the key to quickly clearing the seven levels and defeating the final Boss. After mastering it, it is recommended to switch characters to challenge the solo limit clearance, which is full of fun.