”That story once again.”—The phrase that fits well is the RPG ”Ancient Magic: Bazoe! Mahou Sekai”, released by HOT-B in 1993. Looking at the title alone, it has a slightly mysterious ring to it, but its content is an authentic fantasy directly depicting magic and adventure. Precisely because it is a game born in an era different from recent works, being able to taste the atmosphere unique to that time is also an interesting point. Rather than pulling players along with flashy elements alone, stepping into a single world and slowly advancing the story while following the people and events encountered there. If you like old-fashioned RPGs, you might already be getting a little curious at this point.

The stage of adventure is ”Iartis”, a grand world where magic exists as a matter of course. The player becomes a young magician in training and departs on a journey through this vast land. The setting of being a magician still in the middle of growth rather than a hero who can do anything from the beginning is nice, isn't it? Because the protagonist changes while accumulating various experiences and overcoming difficulties, you can enjoy the feeling of traveling the world and the actual feeling of raising a character at the same time. Going into unknown lands thinking, ”I wonder what is waiting ahead”, it is a world that stimulates an adventurous spirit typical of a fantasy RPG.

Of course, you do not proceed through the long adventure with the protagonist alone. Encounters with unique companions await on the journey, and each person adds color to the story. Meeting new companions, advancing deep into the world while facing difficulties together—this royal-road-like development is precisely an important element supporting the charm of this work. The more you advance in the game, the more you come to feel them not as mere fighting power, but as ”companions who have traveled this world together”. Being able to enjoy the story including such human relationships is the fun of the RPG called ”Ancient Magic: Bazoe! Mahou Sekai”.

When hearing fantasy, exploring ruins is indispensable after all. In this work as well, adventures through ancient ruins and numerous battles are prepared, and the protagonists challenge various trials. What kind of history exists in vast Iartis, and what is left behind in the ruins? The point is being able to proceed while imagining the background hidden in the world itself, rather than simply going toward a destination and defeating enemies. By adding ancient mysteries to an adventure of swords and magic, a unique depth is born in the story. The charm of exploration that makes you think, ”Let's look a little further ahead”, invites players to a long journey.

What cannot be forgotten when speaking of ”Ancient Magic: Bazoe! Mahou Sekai” is that Akihiro Yamada was in charge of character design. By combining fantastical world settings and character visuals, a unique air is born on the stage called Iartis. Fantasy works are things where not only the story but also ”in what form to show that world” influences the impression. In this work, the character design resonates with the heaviness of the story, shaping the personality of the entire work. It can be called a work that makes you want to thoroughly savor even its world view and settings, rather than just playing it as a game.

A world of magic, a protagonist in the middle of growth, companions met during the journey, exploration of ancient ruins, waiting battles, and fantastical character designs. In ”Ancient Magic: Bazoe! Mahou Sekai”, elements constructing the fun of adventuring in a fantasy RPG are firmly packed inside. Despite being a work born in 1993, the fundamental fun of RPGs— ”departing for an unknown world”—does not fade even if eras change. If you want to enjoy a story with a feel different from latest games, step into Iartis together with the young magician. It is a title where such a slightly nostalgic yet fresh adventure is waiting.