sword sword originally released japan lit legend sacred sword action role playing game developed square_enix published square_enix nintendo game boy advance enhanced remake original game boy game released japan europe game series sword fifth released game series set high fantasy universe game follows unnamed hero heroine seek defeat dark lord defend tree enemies wish power incorporating gameplay elements original game generally following plot new gameplay mechanics involved story removes elements final_fantasy series present original game marketing ploy adding gameplay elements artistic styles later games series plot modified allow player follow parallel stories hero heroine backstory dialogue expanded original sword produced series creator directed largely developed employees previously worked series square game received weakly positive reviews critics reviewers praised graphics game enhancements original version generally dismissive plot enhancements disliked elements gameplay especially computer controlled ally critics recommended game mainly fans genre series gameplay gameplay sword expanded modified version gameplay action role playing game elements added later games series like previous games series sword displays perspective player characters navigate terrain fight hostile creatures unlike original game terrain color composed square tiles player restricted moving cardinal directions beginning game player chooses follow story unnamed hero heroine controls player joined protagonist temporary companions point battles choose direct control party member instead chosen character non selected character controlled artificial intelligence unlike prior games series sword direct multiplayer component instead players connect game boy advances link cable characters powerful attacks later time known system original game featured multiplayer capabilities main characters different capabilities capable weapons magic hero stronger melee weapons heroine stronger ranged magical attacks weapons attributes slash bash different attributes cause damage different enemies magical spells cause damage defend protagonists affected weapon character holding combat takes place real time located screen gauge increases point hit given enemy gauge player release powerful attack gauge completely attack lands collecting experience points battle character increases level improves areas strength player rest towns regain hit points purchase items equipment options changing equipment casting spells checking status performed cycling game circular menu currently controlled party member menu lets player pause game combat select different weapons spells items present original game present sequels secret version day night system introduced added game enemies present different times day changes player enters new area like legend players forge weapons plant produce orchard game hot house feature plot sword similar story additional details dialogue added player choice follow story hero heroine named player instead hero original game stories parallel protagonists hero story begins flashback dream death parents hands dark lord ruler nation waking hero slave attempts escape confronted dark lord thrown bridge lake hero advised head city heroine story begins flashback dream dark lord assistant killing destroying village advised knight head journeys city hero heroine meet agree journey head way discover women tribe heroine belongs kidnapped vampires heroine kidnapped rescued hero unnamed man discover woman safe dark lord killing tribe unable save dark lord mother terrible fate protagonists learn knights instrumental empire years prior source magic hero states intention find legendary order avenge parents heroine reveals key source unnamed man reveals kidnaps heroine failed rescue attempt hero falls story resulting hero heroine killing dark lord mother turned monster stolen given dark lord protagonists chase defeat dark lord reveals survivor gaining mind controlled heroine use control tree attempted prior overthrown defeats hero heroine heads hero heroine split find sword hero passes trials prove worthy sword appears blade join forces storm tree defeat tree killed process prior death tree reveals heroine mother asks heroine replace heroine agrees protagonists ways development release release previous game series legend members development team game left square form new development studio included character designer lead artist writers artists square turn development fifth game series producer game square directed designed previous games series served director original game series remake remake addition adding enhanced graphics original game boy title sought add elements present later games series menu system expand game storyline removed elements final_fantasy series placed original game marketing game sequels moved distinct series original game black white graphics style similar legend sword game boy advance graphics similar game series game ability play girl character added element multiplayer features series known added allowing players link game boy advances trade items square announced august game game boy advance development early announced game remake released japan later year april square_enix formed merger square enix game development announced sword north american european releases legend released worldwide released japan july ign listed game anticipated game boy advance games sword released japan august north_america december europe march japan special edition blue game boy advance released date game packaged carrying case purchased game soundtrack strategy guide august september given opportunity win character music score sword composed composer original music includes reworked tracks original game new material music mainly inspired images game outside influences played original game remake sword premium soundtrack album collects tracks music game disc album contains hour half music published reprint square_enix disc contains music directly game second disc features seven piano arrangements songs soundtrack edition soundtrack included bonus disc containing orchestral arrangement rising sun endless battlefield album reached position charts stayed charts week music soundtrack arranged piano published additionally published book sheet music piano tracks included album reception sword sold copies japan received positive reviews critics game presentation praised especially graphics gamespot praised lush colorful backgrounds animation quality reviewer gamepro game informer felt graphics beautiful shane electronic gaming monthly said stunning games praised graphics relation game boy advance games gamespy said best looking game boy advance game felt poor animation quality reaction music mixed reviews game informer gamepro praised gamespot termed music bland ign said nice repetitive reviewers noted technical problems presentation gamespot ign reviews noted graphical game presentation game plot widely dismissed ign harris termed little basic borderline silly amended silly long dialogue gamespy felt added dialogue simply inflated simple story gamespot called simplistic electronic gaming monthly review said biggest problems game elements gameplay poorly received computer controlled companion universally derided electronic gaming monthly said nearly useless gamespot called plain dumb ign harris said absolute pits definitely weakest aspect game gamepro gamespot gamespy reviews found issues combat mechanics gamespot ign reviewers felt game easy felt boss battles easy weapon switching system complicated ign found day night system odd unnecessary harris additionally felt multiplayer system gamespot concluded game pretty good recommended fans genre electronic gaming monthly said decent worth look fans series japanese magazine famitsu said good update gameplay original game legacy sword adapted manga form author published february novels based game written illustrations published february square enix produced book comics based game january
Sword of Mana