Grand Master

Grand Master

Overview & History

Released for the Famicom in late 1991 by Varie, Grand Master is an obscure, top-down tactical action RPG that slipped past many Western gamers during the height of the NES era. Set in the mythical kingdom of Avaloria, the storyline follows a disgraced young paladin named Cedric who must ascend the 100-tiered Tower of Trials. His mission is to reclaim the stolen Sun Crest before the dark sorcerer Malakor plunges the realm into eternal shadow. Unlike standard linear adventures, Grand Master uniquely blends real-time grid movement with card-based resource management, forcing players to carefully balance tactical positioning with magical stamina during every tense skirmish against goblins, wraiths, and corrupted knights.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Players navigate labyrinthine dungeons from a bird's-eye perspective, managing both health and mental focus meters. Combat triggers dynamically when colliding with roaming enemy sprites on the map, shifting the screen into a tactical arena where positioning dictates survival. Cedric wields a broadsword for close-quarter slashes and can cast elemental spells—such as Flame Burst and Lightning Bolt—by consuming collected mana crystals. Character progression is tied to defeating floor bosses, which rewards the player with ancient combat scrolls that permanently expand Cedric's combo capabilities and defensive parry windows.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move
• Action Keys: Attack / Jump
• Enter: Start / Pause