THE CARD (Isaoki Hashimoto)

Title – THE CARD
System – MSX / MSX2 / MSX2+ / MSX turboR
Author – 橋本　勇気 (Isaoki Hashimoto)
Publication – Micom BASIC (マイコンBASIC) April 1996
Page Scans – 1 2
Preserved By – TWE
Recommended Emulator – openMSX

Download ROM

Loading the Game –

Two files are included: a .wav cassette tape file and a self-booting .dsk floppy disk image.

BOOTING THE FLOPPY DISK:
Load the .dsk file in the first floppy drive, then start the machine. The game should start automatically.

BOOTING THE CASSETTE TAPE:
Load the .wav file;
Type ‘CLOAD’ and press Enter to load the game;
After the game loads, type ‘RUN’ and press Enter to start the game.

 

Game Instructions –

The country of Philaria was ruled by King Ars, along with his two consultants, a black mage and a white mage. As the king was absent from his throne, the black mage revolted, casting a spell over the castle and taking over the kingdom. By the time the king had heard of the news and returned, it was too late and the the black mage’s reign of terror had already started. Not only had taxation been increased by 3%, but also this cut would be used to fund the army and invade neighbouring countries.
It is my fault that I hadn’t foreseen and impeded this rebellion, so I must set things right myself, the king thought to himself, and so he consulted with Rigal, his old friend and advisor, on how to break the castle’s spell, and then headed towards the castle by himself.

The cards that appear throughout the 10 rooms must be turned over in the order they first appear, and turning over the wrong card resets every card and forces you to start over, so be careful. Being caught by a guard results in a miss, and missing 3 times results in a Game Over. To continue, hold down Space in the Game Over screen until the game starts again.

 

Extra Info –

In order to master this game, you must understand how the guards move and learn how to pass through them just in time. Mastering these will allow you to clear the first 9 stages, and while the final 10th stage depends mostly on luck, you’ll be able to clear it if you manage to keep the green soldiers at the bottom.
(The author managed to clear this game under 3 continues.)