Infinitely Inscrutable? Let's Play Legacy of the Wizard!

Because this thread fills me with inexplicable glee, I share with you a wondrous gift: Yura's Legacy of the Wizard remixes. There's some other stuff there, too, but the LotW stuff is what you want.

This LP is super-heroic and I'm enjoying it a lot.

I don't have anything useful to say, but there's something I love about such bizarre and somewhat evil game design.

Taking on Rockgaea with Lyll! Brave, brave little elf!

Obviously the boss is easiest with Xemn, which SUCKS because you get some important items in Xemn's level (so you want to visit early) and backtracking there takes forever.

Also I am convinced Rockgaea is impossible with Pochi due to his absolutely horrible range.

Take that one up with Alison Cooper, bub.

Fixed. This isn't a game; this is an audition for sainthood. You'd have to be awfully patient and forgiving to get to this point.

Just trying to imagine actually playing this game without some sort of cheat code makes my head hurt.

But what I've really been meaning to post for a week but keep forgetting to by the time I've actually read through the updates is this:

You know that enemy you keep calling egg-man or something? I can only see him as one thing, and that thing is totally awesome: Indiana Kirby.

What a coincidence! LotW happens to have the most completely obtuse and inscrutable cheat code in the history of video games. I'm talking like the crazy shit you used you invent on the playground to impress your friends, except it actually works.

YES.

explain please! (or maybe Netbrian is planning to do that)

This is my favorite LP since FF1.

If this LP is anything like FF1, I can tell you two things:

1) netbrian's already planning to explain it, and

2) he hates my goddamn guts for spoiling it so early. (My nemesis was Sven. Damn you, Sven!)

So that's how to deal with the rock boss...

I remember getting to that point, and dying often (and, being back in the day, having to slog through Maia's level several times).

I don’t want to understate things, but Legacy of the Wizard has one of the best soundtracks on the NES and of its era. In this era, Falcom was fortunate enough to stumble upon the little known Yuzo Koshiro. He composed the music for Legacy of the Wizard, Ys 1 and 2, and Sorcerian, among other things.

Unfortunately, unlike his later arrangements, Yuzo Koshiro does not own the rights to his compositions at Falcom, nor does he receive royalties for the ungodly numbers of Ys remixes crushing the world under their weight, not all of which he approves of (source -- http://www.squareenixmusic.com/compo...iography.shtml )may be a contributing factor to the lack of official remixes of these songs. He no longer has much contact with Falcom, and apparently relations are rather bitter.

On a personal note, I’d like to add that the remixer of his music (Ryo Yonemitsu) managed to annoy Koshiro, I still think he does a very good job. On the other hand, I enjoyed Portrait of Ruin largely because of the soundtrack, so Koshiro deserves a great deal of credit.

One of the things that still amazes me about the music is how distinct everywhere sounds. Few dungeon crawlers of that, or any era, can manage to show so much variety. Each area sounds very distinct, and I think the “central area’ theme captures the very essence of “dungeon”.

The best way to enjoy the NES soundtrack is either by playing the NSF file, playing a MIDI file, or going to http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=WkdOyiuG6VY&fmt=18 . MP3s can be tricky to find.

(While browsing YouTube, I found this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhaTN9FQR1M of a Legacy of the Wizard ROM hack. Unfortunately, consider me less than impressed).

For the MSX version, things get a little trickier. It’s certainly worth seeking out if only for the tracks not heard in the NES version. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be an NSF format equivalent for the MSX. On CD, it was released as part of Falcom Special Box '91, which is not remotely accessible. There was also a cassette version released in 1987.

If you have access to iTunes Japan, it can apparently be found there too. http://detail.psearch.yahoo.co.jp/i/...MPEv_eHpd6Px3/

In addition to the official mixes, there are the (very) occasional remixes. In addition to Yura’s songs (linked to by ToastyFrog here -- http://www.gamemusic.ca/remixes.html ), there also seems to be an unofficial Japanese album available here –

http://www.lkd.topaz.ne.jp/lukardow/towf01.htm

Unfortunately, you have to buy the full album to hear the remixes. If someone wants to help me out with this (my Japanese isn’t that good), I’d really appreciate it (obviously I’d pay back anything).

And now, I step off my soapbox and play.



That portrait has always stood out as odd. What could it before? Who could it be of? (In the MSX1 version, there were two portraits for the password system.) Is it just a vestige?

Maybe it’s of the heroes of one of the older Dragon Slayer games?



Once again, we enter the breach with Roas, the only person able to wield the crowns and dragon slayer. It makes you wonder what sort of qualities the artifacts look for in a person – and why they didn’t choose his far more deserving sister.



Roas can use the largest number of items in his family. Unfortunately, his choice of items is worse than anyone besides Pochi – no wings, no way to deal with blocks, and no keystick. The one saving grace is that he can equip the jump boots.

I choose two shoes and a crown, to be the best dressed hero the world has ever seen.

The question arises – what the hell does the crown do? This may have been something good to establish before we went through hell and back to collect them.



Lacking any direction, we return to our origins. The food heals us after the mimic mops the floor with poor pathetic Roas. At least it isn’t the species residing in Pochi’s level that just kills you instantly.

We stare at the portrait.

The question arises, who is the portrait of? This game has no princess to save, and she resembles none of the main characters. Maybe she’s a metaphor for the game itself – you keep seeing it, and not understanding the purpose. However, you keep slogging through, hoping to comprehend the alluring yet demanding vision.

In any event, pre-calling Mario 64, I jump into the portrait, ready for whatever fate awaits me.



Well that was anti-climatic. Roas gets dumped back at the beginning. I think this is fully consistent with the portraits as an embodiment of the game itself.



Let’s try this portrait. It has a different color, and is kind of on a pedestal.



All right, this madness must end.



This section is like a Legacy of the Wizard clip show. Roas teleports around the dungeon, showing random scenes from the past because our writers are on strike.

Like…. The room of terror, except with a far less powerful character. The pathetic Roas seems to have no ability, yet is thrown around by a cruel and merciless fate to face to worlds with enemies far stronger than he’ll ever comprehend.

In other words, he’s Rincewind without the self preservation instinct.

Oh, and note the second screenshot. Had I not brought the jump boots, I would have stuck forever. Same goes for my keys. I run myself ragged to the dragon room.



Hey, wait. How am I supposed to get out?

The answer – resetting or using a recall crystal. There is no alternative.



Fool me twice? The gray portrait also hurls us to where there is no escape.

Falcom truly is a harsh mistress.

Now, Roas can’t get anywhere interesting in Maia’s quest (I found this out the hard way – he gets trapped if you try to continue further), and can’t proceed through Xemn’s at all. Pochi doesn’t have any portraits, so that leaves…

Our beautiful Lyll.



The portrait here looks promising. After playing for the last two weeks, I’m impressed that Falcom resisted the temptation to force you to use a crystal to escape with the dragon slayer. Didn’t bring one? Guess you’re buried alive.

Note the green portrait in the pink puffy place. But the blocks block me!



Note that Roas, even with the jump boots, cannot get to that ledge on his own. He has to wait around for an enemy to show up to get a boost from. If you try and enter from the left, you get blocked again.

That looks nice and obvious. It even has a golden glow surrounding our lady of pain.



It then dumps me into mid-air and I fall back to the beginning of the level (yes, they really do this. No, I don’t think anyone is surprised anymore). I restore my state and fall correctly this time.



Who would have thought?



Victory!

There should have been some epic music here I think, and the screen flashing when you get the sword. Despondent, I go deep into the portrait, ready to go home to rest before the final battle.



Or try to at any rate. Our mistress has other ideas.

At this point, I give up and use a crystal. Soon, it will be over soon.

You know, Roas’s section could really have been a lot more interesting. It seems like they should have showcased all four sections to some extent, and had longer paths, rather than just hopping Lyll’s land. It seems like a bit of a waste.

Next time – Dragon Slaying?

Honestly, the only reason I used the method I did is because I got scared at not being able to see the life total. Firing from the top of the level is probably less risky.

I was seriously tempted to use an emulator that allows you to view the RAM in order to verify whether or not I was accomplishing anything.

It reminds me of certain sorts of ROM hacks, only better. Or playing games with a caprious DM.

I think Pochi could be done with the stupid flower thing. His attacks are easier to dodge than Archwinger.

Xemn would have been a much better choice, and would have allowed a slot for better items as well. Lyll wasn't that bad once I ignored all the guides and took more risks.

Oh and I'm going to be grabbing RHEM and playing it over the next month, just so I can blurt out all the puzzle solutions. Thought I'd let you know (hey guys! The portrait is the truck!)

Indiana Kirby rocks.

I first heard about the cheatcode right before I took a nap, and when I woke up I texted Maggie to tell her about this crazy dream I had about Legacy of the Wizard, only to look in my browser history and see that it was real.

This is it. Our family has collected the four crowns, and retrieved the ancient dragon slayer.

Now all that’s left is to find the dragon, and execute him, thus sealing this terrible dungeon until the end of time.



Roas, the only one unworthy enough to touch it, grasps it in his hand, and exits.

His mind ponders but one thing – what the hell does this thing actually do? My magic is still these tiny little hatchets, and I still do the same damage!



Mired in confusion, Roas rouses himself long enough to drive his sword into the taunting painting. A hollow vengeance for the horror she put him through.



Err… Wait. How do I get in there?

Roas ponders this for a moment, watching his life drain away as he attacks enemies. Despairing, he prepares to leave through the passage on his left.



Oh damn.

It turns out the Dragonslayer was a glorified card key. You fight the dragon like a boy, with no items. The sole saving grace is unlimited magic.

Unlike Rockgaea, the dragon has only 100 HP. However, he takes hits much better, and turns out to be a much longer battle.

His pattern is simple. He wanders from the right to the middle of the screen. If he’s close enough to the player, he’ll flame you for ten life a hit. Once he’s gone far enough, he flies back to the left. However, if you get close enough, he’ll immediately descend upon you with his hellfire. And yes, he has a longer range than you.



You have a choice. One method is a hit and run – hit him a few times and then jump back when he flames.

Or, if you can manage it, get close enough to him to avoid his flame. This is a bit riskier, but ends the battle much, much faster. However, it does have a drawback…



In a wonderful finale, if you’re too close to him when he loses, his burning corpse collapses onto you, and destroys you instantly (this counts as a loss. Today, it would have just given you the “bad ending”.)



That’s better. Once you’re between his legs, the battle is mercifully short, and you can run him through with ease.

How cute! My family was awaiting my return!

They all look so… domestic.



We come home, and find our dog-fish-thing awaiting us. Our quest is over forever, until the day comes when another dragon should terrorize us. (Hint -- we're fourth in a series of eight or nine, and spin-offs enough to make Mario blush.)

The credit music is awesome. Note that somehow human parents have an elf for a child. While they’re the “Drasle” family, their last name is canonically “Worzen”.



Looks like Square isn’t the only game company that wiled away the hours with their monster manual.

What page is the Derudeathgadedo on again?

As with many NES games, we get the incomprehensible names in credits. This was either because games are the sort of low occupation deserving of a pseudonym, or because Falcom is horribly adverse to giving credit to individuals.



Fin.

Glitches –

Legacy of the Wizard has a fairly simple engine, but that doesn’t mean people haven’t beaten it to a bloody pulp, and found some weaknesses.

First, there are random walk-through-wall glitches that some speedrunners make use of. I tried to get them to work, got irritated, and broke things. Basically, unless you play the game frame by frame, they aren’t worth the effort.

The second glitch worth mentioning is the pause jump trick. Basically, if you pause the game while your character is falling, and then unpause, you can make a second jump in mid-air. One of the nice things about this glitch is that it doesn’t require much precision. I didn’t make use of it in my run, primarily because half the goal was to show off as much of the dungeon as possible.

Third, if you are playing with a pad that allows this, holding the left and right keys simultaneously your magic will stay in place rather than travel as usual (it lasts longer the further your range). Some people use this to defeat bosses more easily because of how it radically increases your damage output.

Now, on first glance I wrote this off. On normal gamepads, someone could never press these buttons, so it’s just an emulation oddity.

Except… This glitch is present on the MSX versions of the game. The MSX version was designed to be playable with a keyboard. So either Falcom doesn’t have much in the way of playtesters, or they knew that this was there and left it.

It certainly raises more questions than it (or I) will answer.

Now, Legacy of the Wizard has some honest-to-god codes in it. What are they? I’ll say this.

Many of us got our chops debunking the fake cheat codes popping up in forums. Whether it was moving the truck to get Mew, or the nude raider code, this has always been a way to separate the newbies from the veterans. You could tell the fake codes, because they often required you to do something very precisely multiple times. That way, if you didn’t get a result, it could be blamed on your failure to do it exactly correctly.

Legacy of the Wizard exists to put us in our places, and implements cheat codes in its own special way.



First, on the title screen using the second player controller, hold up+right+A+B on the title screen, and then hold left+down+select on the first player controller. Then press start. You’ll hear a tone if you did it right. (Unlike this Konami code, this never quite caught on).

By the way, you can actually play this game with the 2P controller. Or, in great MM3 tradition, sabotage your friends’ efforts to play this game.



What are the visible effects of this cheat? Immediately, not much. However, the portrait now comes alive and acts as a sound test. I plan to exploit this in the MSX version to get MP3s for the game.

But there is another effect.



I exit the house, using any character…



Now, if you go to the overworld shop (I never had a reason to visit it in normal play), and try to buy the crystal you can’t afford… Nothing indicates that something magical has occurred.

Surprise! You now have magic armor in your inventory! This utterly illogical cheat only works if you put in the code prior.

Oh, was that not opaque enough for you? Are you feeling cheated that Legacy of the Wizard, a game of legendary density stops at that arbitrary sequence?

Fear not!

Now, this set of cheat codes reeks of voodoo. Despite my extensive knowledge of the game, I have no bloody clue how or why this works. Thus, there are probably steps here that are unnecessary. Unfortunately, I have been unable to discover the most minimal possible cheat, so there shall likely be steps not strictly necessary.



Any character that can equip the armor will do. I choose Xemn, mostly because all other web sites say use Roas.



I then waste away all my magic blasting at windmills with the armor in my inventory. You hear a tone when you run out.



Now, while holding B and Left on the second controller, press right and A on the first controller with your cursor over the painting (contrary to certain web sites, you only need to do this once, and you don’t need to be exactly on the eye). When you do this, you’ll hear a tone.



It raises an interesting philosophical point – can a game be designed to sell a strategy guide that will never exist? I think Legacy of the Wizard strongly answers in the affirmative, and I think there is no better way to end this LP with a display of opacity that exemplifies everything that has come before.

God, kill me now.

Netbrian, thanks for the awesome LP. I think you really got to the core of the LP phenomenon here; play a game nobody else wants to play, so they don't have to do it. SIX THUMBS UP!

LotW is still one of my favorite NES games, but I would have never developed a love for it if not for some decent online walkthroughs to help me learn its most intimate secrets. Such as basic gameplay mechanics.

And yeah Lyll is my favorite forever. (Fun Lyll Fact: she is adopted. No, really, she is an elf but the rest of her family are humans.)

Kill you? My good man, we intend to canonize you.

On one of the Into the Score podcasts, I heard an interesting theory: publishers didn't want other companies poaching their programmers or musicians. Pseudonyms as defense mechanism!

Thanks for the LP. I've got a friend that's crazy about this game, and it's where I first heard about it, but that was only 4-5 years ago, I think. Did this ever get Nintendo Power coverage or anything? Never saw it in a magazine, never saw it on rental shelves. I wonder how you guys found this game as a kid.

This was something more than an LP.

The world has changed, and I will not rest until I find out how.