''Blade Master'' is a scrolling

hack and slash Hack and slash, also known as hack and slay (H&S or HnS) or slash 'em up, refers to a type of gameplay that emphasizes combat with melee-based weapons (such as swords or blades). They may also feature projectile-based weapons as well (such as ...

arcade game An arcade game or coin-op game is a coin-operated entertainment machine typically installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are presented as primarily games of skill and include arcade v ...

released by

Irem is a Japanese video game console developer and publisher, and formerly a developer and manufacturer of arcade games as well. The company has its headquarters in Chiyoda, Tokyo. The full name of the company that uses the brand is Irem Softwar ...

in 1991. Two selectable heroes, Roy and Arnold, try to save their land from hordes of monsters. There are items to break and

power-up In video games, a power-up is an object that adds temporary benefits or extra abilities to the player character as a game mechanic. This is in contrast to an item, which may or may not have a permanent benefit that can be used at any time chosen ...

s to collect, typical of this genre in the 1990s.

Gameplay

Synopsis

Development and release

Reception

In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed it on their August 15, 1991 issue as being the fifteenth most-successful table arcade unit of the month, outperforming titles such as ''

Vimana Vimāna are mythological flying palaces or chariots described in Hindu texts and Sanskrit epics. The "Pushpaka Vimana" of Ravana (who took it from Kubera; Rama returned it to Kubera) is the most quoted example of a vimana. Vimanas are also mentio ...

'' and '' King of the Monsters''. British gaming magazine '' The One for Amiga Games'' reviewed ''Blade Master'' in August 1991, calling it a "masterpiece", stating that "Irem has certainly pulled out all the stops here - beautifully crafted animated sprites, lovely backgrounds, excellent gameplay, sampled sound", and furthermore calls the combat "satisfying". In the October 1991 issue of Japanese publication ''Micom BASIC Magazine'', the game was ranked on the number fourteen spot in popularity.

Notes

References

External links

Blade Master
@ ''Arcade-History'' * 1991 video games Arcade video games Arcade-only video games Fantasy video games Hack and slash games Irem games Side-scrolling beat 'em ups Video games developed in Japan {{beatemup-videogame-stub