I may come off as biased since I was a beta tester for this quest, but Spell of Mudora is an easy 5/5 for me and is a new must-play on the database.
Truly the "Hyrule Fantasy Gaiden" it's described as, Spell of Mudora puts everything Zelda 1 (with even some Zelda 2) on it's head. New items, new world, and a new protagonist sets in motion a quest filled with surprise after surprise that intentionally plays with your Z1 senses in so many fun and unexpected ways. It's truly an alternate reality-esque Zelda, and it never ceases to amaze.
The intricate aesthetic of Runa's style is consistently great, complimented with a surprising tastefulness that makes each auditory and visual element work well together. The overworld embodies these qualities, especially in areas that divorce themselves of 1st/2nd quest's stylings (such as the swamp, and my personal favorite area, the pink forest). Nothing feels out of place, and all the positive things to say about the overworld's aesthetic can be said for the dungeons as well. Every dungeon has unique theming, tilework, and animations that truly make each one a living space with moving parts. The music is the perfect pairing for these areas as well, so don't take it lightly when I say these tracks are all bangers. (especially Level 6).
The nine levels are suitably challenging and rewarding to complete, and the pace between overworld exploration and dungeon diving is at a perfect balance here. Navigation rarely ever hits a roadbump, and when it does it doesn't take long to course correct. One of the most pleasant surprises to discover was just how dense the dungeons can be. There are many clever moments that can sneak up on you when you are expecting a more vanilla NES-like experience, such as when a dungeons' gimmick reveals more depth than initially thought or when a clever puzzle crops up instead of the typical push-a-block room. Levels 2, 4, and 7 come to mind as the highlights, though the overall consistency is what should be lauded here.
The combat is especially fantastic in this quest, given I don't really play Zelda Classic for it's intricate combat. With the primary weapon being the bow, an excellent job was done in maintaining it as a powerful weapon and a reliable primary that didn't take priority over the rest of Zelda's tool kit. Most of her items have a spin on what you'd expect them to do, and a lot of the fun is finding these surprises for yourself; but the "candle", "shield", and wand were some of my favorites. The boss variety is impeccable, and playing with your kit to find new solutions to old bosses never disappoints.
Needless to say, I love this game. I almost immediately replayed the entire quest over again after beta testing it because it was that good, and considering this review is based mostly on that earlier, more rudimentary build of the game, it's safe to say this is a new favorite of mine. and stands shoulder to shoulder with some of PureZC's best quests.
Hyrule Fantasy Gaiden: Spell of Mudora
Overview
Feature Quest
Creator: runa Genre: NES-style Added: 12 Oct 2024 Updated: Yesterday, 01:44 PM ZC Version: 2.55 Downloads: 167 Rating[?]: |
Download Quest (3.75 MB) |
Information
THIS QUEST USES ENHANCED MUSIC, GRAB IT HERE: https://www.dropbox....p78wbi7l0s&dl=0
Spell of Mudora is very much a Z1-like quest, but has a lot of modern stuff and QoL updates added in it. This time, you play as Princess Zelda, armed with her trusty bow and arrows!
Spell of Mudora is very much a Z1-like quest, but has a lot of modern stuff and QoL updates added in it. This time, you play as Princess Zelda, armed with her trusty bow and arrows!
About Reviews Comments Forum Topics
Description
THIS QUEST USES ENHANCED MUSIC, GRAB IT HERE: https://www.dropbox....p78wbi7l0s&dl=0
Spell of Mudora is very much a Z1-like quest, but has a lot of modern stuff and QoL updates added in it.
Features:
- Bow & Arrow instead of Sword as the main A-button weapon (no sword available at all, in fact!)
- enemy defenses have been rebalanced to be possible to beat the game without a sword
- Shield is no longer a passive item, instead it locks you onto place when you use it. Also has some other added functionality!
- new items and new takes on existing Z1 items and mechanics
- new enemies, some from later Zelda games
- modified enemies, expect to see some twists to familiar Z1 enemies, as well as new variants of old enemies
- custom bosses and minibosses
- miniboss portals in dungeons
- there are a few choice based items, but not all lock you into a certain choice
- No door repair rooms!
- 20 Secret Seashells to collect
- ladder is janky and buggy, so it usually is disabled in certain platforming puzzle rooms
- F6 cannot be used to continue, only to save. The quest's whistle equivalent will take you to the entrace of dungeons. You can continue when you die.
UPDATE 15/10/2024:
- fixed lots of graphical errors (undercombos missing, tile errors, layering issues)
- changed the game over music
- fixed partially solid tiles on screen edges causing possible softlocks on some screens
- nerfed some rooms in later dungeons (nasty wizzrobe rooms)
- changed how the ring/heart system works slightly visually
- made the Wand Upgrade room actually require the Wand (woopsie lol)
- (hopefully) fixed a save-ruining script issue in Level 7
- nerfed the miniboss of Level 8
-nerfed the boss of Level 3
- nerfed the boss of Level 2
- made Level 5's start flow better by making the staircase stay there permanently
- made the jinx ring actually useful
UPDATE 17/10/2024:
- fixed the wand upgrades not being swappable (for new saves only though, sorry)
UPDATE 20/10/2024:
- various enemy flag fixes, graphical fixes and a big misclick oversight on the final boss room
UPDATE 3/11/2024
- overhauled Goriya boomerangs stunning the player (courtesy of Deedee and Moosh):
- there's a stun graphic on the player
- the boomerangs can now actually be blocked with the shield
- can mash out of stun by mashing directional inputs
Spell of Mudora is very much a Z1-like quest, but has a lot of modern stuff and QoL updates added in it.
Features:
- Bow & Arrow instead of Sword as the main A-button weapon (no sword available at all, in fact!)
- enemy defenses have been rebalanced to be possible to beat the game without a sword
- Shield is no longer a passive item, instead it locks you onto place when you use it. Also has some other added functionality!
- new items and new takes on existing Z1 items and mechanics
- new enemies, some from later Zelda games
- modified enemies, expect to see some twists to familiar Z1 enemies, as well as new variants of old enemies
- custom bosses and minibosses
- miniboss portals in dungeons
- there are a few choice based items, but not all lock you into a certain choice
- No door repair rooms!
- 20 Secret Seashells to collect
- ladder is janky and buggy, so it usually is disabled in certain platforming puzzle rooms
- F6 cannot be used to continue, only to save. The quest's whistle equivalent will take you to the entrace of dungeons. You can continue when you die.
UPDATE 15/10/2024:
- fixed lots of graphical errors (undercombos missing, tile errors, layering issues)
- changed the game over music
- fixed partially solid tiles on screen edges causing possible softlocks on some screens
- nerfed some rooms in later dungeons (nasty wizzrobe rooms)
- changed how the ring/heart system works slightly visually
- made the Wand Upgrade room actually require the Wand (woopsie lol)
- (hopefully) fixed a save-ruining script issue in Level 7
- nerfed the miniboss of Level 8
-nerfed the boss of Level 3
- nerfed the boss of Level 2
- made Level 5's start flow better by making the staircase stay there permanently
- made the jinx ring actually useful
UPDATE 17/10/2024:
- fixed the wand upgrades not being swappable (for new saves only though, sorry)
UPDATE 20/10/2024:
- various enemy flag fixes, graphical fixes and a big misclick oversight on the final boss room
UPDATE 3/11/2024
- overhauled Goriya boomerangs stunning the player (courtesy of Deedee and Moosh):
- there's a stun graphic on the player
- the boomerangs can now actually be blocked with the shield
- can mash out of stun by mashing directional inputs
Story
The hero " Link " has fallen and thus the resurrection of the Prince of Darkness " Gannon" has been succesful. Most of Hyrule has already fallen into ruin and is ruled by " Gannon". " Gannon " has retreated to his lair in Spectacle Rock. " Gannon " sealed his lair with dark power and the seal can only be undone with the " Spell of Mudora ", long lost to time. Heroine " Zelda ", you must go forth and seek the " 8 Pages of Mudora " across palaces to complete the spell and put an end to " Gannon's " reign.
Tips & Cheats
The secrets in this quest are your regular Z1 secrets, so tingle that Z1 sense!
Maze paths can be obtained by paying for info (or just bruteforcing if that is up your alley).
You can only save the game by F6ing, so no healing to full health with it!
Maze paths can be obtained by paying for info (or just bruteforcing if that is up your alley).
You can only save the game by F6ing, so no healing to full health with it!
Credits
The included readme has the credits, as well as the end of the game, but here's a truncated credits list:
Beta Testers - Guinevere, ShadowTiger, ShirleyVaga, xanadude
Scripts - Avaro, Bagu, Deedee, Demonlink, Emily, Evan20k, Guinevere, Mitsukara, Moosh, Saffith, Taco Chopper
Contributors - PureZC Discord and PZC Discord quest project forum
Zelda Classic - ZC Devs, ZC contributors
Graphics - Nintendo, Konami, Sunsoft, Square Enix, Classic Tileset devs and contributors, Cambria tileset devs and contributors, MisterMike, Mitsukara
Sound Effects - Nintendo, Konami, HelpTheWretched, Audacity, FL Studio, RJDMC
Music - Nintendo (Fire Emblem Gaiden, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
Beta Testers - Guinevere, ShadowTiger, ShirleyVaga, xanadude
Scripts - Avaro, Bagu, Deedee, Demonlink, Emily, Evan20k, Guinevere, Mitsukara, Moosh, Saffith, Taco Chopper
Contributors - PureZC Discord and PZC Discord quest project forum
Zelda Classic - ZC Devs, ZC contributors
Graphics - Nintendo, Konami, Sunsoft, Square Enix, Classic Tileset devs and contributors, Cambria tileset devs and contributors, MisterMike, Mitsukara
Sound Effects - Nintendo, Konami, HelpTheWretched, Audacity, FL Studio, RJDMC
Music - Nintendo (Fire Emblem Gaiden, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light