Wizards & Warriors III

Wizards & Warriors III: Kuros – Visions of Power is the final NES entry in Rare’s fantasy action series, released in 1992 and published by Acclaim. Rather than simply repeating the formula of the earlier games, this sequel takes a much more adventurous approach, giving Kuros a large interconnected world to explore.

The story picks up after the events of Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II. Kuros believes he has finally defeated the evil wizard Malkil, but Malkil’s spirit survives. After striking Kuros with magic, Malkil escapes to the city of Piedup and takes control of the kingdom. Kuros arrives without his armor and must gradually rebuild his abilities before confronting his old enemy once again.

What makes this game particularly unusual is its open-ended structure. Instead of moving through a simple series of numbered stages, Kuros explores the huge city and its surrounding areas, searching for items, rescuing princesses, collecting jewels, earning money, and discovering new abilities. He can eventually use three different forms: Knight, Thief, and Wizard. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and improving these forms requires completing challenging guild tests.

The combat system is also quite different from the previous games. Kuros can control the direction of his attacks, while the different character forms introduce new ways of dealing with enemies and obstacles. The game can be frustrating at times, especially because there are no passwords or continues, but its exploration and unusual structure give it a personality of its own.

For NES fans looking for something beyond straightforward platforming, Wizards & Warriors III is an ambitious and surprisingly unconventional adventure.