A slight typo...
The proper name of the game is actually Magic of Scheherazade. I don't know if it's a typo on the game label and that's why it's listed like this on the site. But this has got to be one of the best, and sadly also unnoticed, games on the NES. To my knowledge there were no other games of its style at the time of its release. Scheherazade combines elements of action RPG's with those of more traditional RPG's like Dragon Warrior and Final Fantasy. It mixes realtime, Legend of Zelda style combat and turn-based party combat in a way that works surprisingly well. The game tells the story of a young warrior magician living in Arabia. This magician, a descendant of the legendary hero Isfa. Tis young lad rose to challenge the sinister schemes of the evil magician Sabaron and was sent back in time after failing to defeat him. The game is divided into five distinct worlds, each set in a different time in Arabia. In each world you will gather items and gain experience and recruit at least one companion to join you in your quest. They come into play during the turnn-based battles. You can also hire mercinaries who come in groups of four.
One of the game's highest points is its entrancing soundtrack. From the triumphant opening to the tense, urgent battle theme to the more ominous boss battle theme, the game has it all. Each world has its own main theme depending on what the conditions are. So a world locked in winter would have a more somber theme. The sound effects are pretty good as well. Not spectacular but they get the job done quite nicely. All in all I think this is a game well worth owning.
Reviewed by: Bryan Peterson from Twin Falls, Idaho on 12/13/2011
5
