- Release Year: 2020
- Platforms: Windows
- Publisher: Xi’an Xiexing Information Technology Co., Ltd.
- Genre: Role-playing (RPG)
- Perspective: Diagonal-down
- Game Mode: Single-player
- Setting: Fantasy
Description
Heroes of Fantasia is a role-playing video game developed by Witchcraft and published by Bandai Namco Games for the PlayStation Portable in 2012. It is a Japan-exclusive crossover game that brings together characters from various popular 1990s and 2000s anime series, including Blood+, Darker than Black, Keroro, My-HiME, Orphen, Read or Die, Rune Soldier, s-CRY-ed, and Slayers Revolution. The game features a diagonal-down perspective with 2D scrolling and anime/manga-inspired art, offering players a unique blend of storytelling and gameplay as they control a party of iconic anime heroes in a fantasy setting.
Heroes of Fantasia Guides & Walkthroughs
Heroes of Fantasia Cheats & Codes
Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia
When playing a game press TAB, type the CODE and press ENTER.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| nwctrojanrabbit | Immediate victory, ranks you a ‘Cheater!!!’ in the ‘Land’ column. |
| nwconlyamodel | Build all buildings in your castle including the grail building. |
| nwcfleshwound | Hero gets 10 Black Knights in each empty army slot. |
| nwcavertingoureyes | Hero gets 5 Archangels in each empty army slot. |
| nwcantioch | Hero gains all war machines (Ballista, First Aid Tent, Ammo Cart). |
| nwctim | Hero gets spell book, all spells and 999 current spell points. |
| nwcigotbetter | Hero gains 1 level-up. |
| nwccoconuts | Hero gains unlimited movement. |
| nwccastleanthrax | Hero gains maximum luck for the rest of the game. |
| nwcmuchrejoicing | Hero gains maximum morale for the rest of the game. |
| nwcalreadygotone | Reveals the grail puzzle map. |
| nwcgeneraldirection | Reveals the whole map. |
| nwcshrubbery | Gives 100,000 gold and 100 of each other resource. |
Heroes of Might and Magic III: Armageddon’s Blade
When playing a game press TAB, type the CODE and press ENTER.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| nwcredpill | Immediate victory, ranks you a ‘Cheater!!!’ in the ‘Land’ column. |
| wogonering | Immediate victory, ranks you a ‘Cheater!!!’ in the ‘Land’ column. |
| wogfrodo | Immediate victory, ranks you a ‘Cheater!!!’ in the ‘Land’ column. |
| nwcsirrobin | Immediate loss & head chop video. |
| nwcbluepill | Immediate loss & head chop video. |
| wogdarklord | Immediate loss & head chop video. |
| wogdenethor | Immediate loss & head chop video. |
| nwcmuchrejoicing | Hero gains maximum morale for the rest of the game. |
| nwcmorpheus | Hero gains maximum morale for the rest of the game. |
| wogfellowship | Hero gains maximum morale for the rest of the game. |
| nwccastleanthrax | Hero gains maximum luck for the rest of the game. |
| nwcfollowthewhiterabbit | Hero gains maximum luck for the rest of the game. |
| wogbilbo | Hero gains maximum luck for the rest of the game. |
| nwcantioch | Hero gains all war machines. |
| nwcr2d2 | Hero gains all war machines. |
| nwclotsofguns | Hero gains all war machines. |
| wogoliphaunt | Hero gains all war machines. |
| nwcfleshwound | Hero gets 10 Black Knights in each empty army slot. |
| nwcdarthmaul | Hero gets 10 Black Knights in each empty army slot. |
| nwcagents | Hero gets 10 Black Knights in each empty army slot. |
| wogpathofthedead | Hero gets 10 Black Knights in each empty army slot. |
| nwcavertingoureyes | Hero gets 5 Archangels in each empty army slot. |
| nwcpadme | Hero gets 5 Archangels in each empty army slot. |
| nwctrinity | Hero gets 5 Archangels in each empty army slot. |
| woggaladriel | Hero gets 5 Archangels in each empty army slot. |
| nwctim | Hero gets spell book, all spells and 999 spell points. |
| nwcmidichlorians | Hero gets spell book, all spells and 999 spell points. |
| nwcthereisnospoon | Hero gets spell book, all spells and 999 spell points. |
| wogsaruman | Hero gets spell book, all spells and 999 spell points. |
| woggandalf | Hero gets spell book, all spells and 999 spell points. |
| nwccoconuts | Hero gains unlimited movement. |
| nwcpodracer | Hero gains unlimited movement. |
| nwcnebuchadnezzar | Hero gains unlimited movement. |
| wogshadowfax | Hero gains unlimited movement. |
| nwcigotbetter | Hero gains 1 level-up. |
| nwcquigon | Hero gains 1 level-up. |
| nwcneo | Hero gains 1 level-up. |
| woggandalfwhite | Hero gains 1 level-up. |
| nwcshrubbery | Gives 100,000 gold and 100 of each resource. |
| nwcwatto | Gives 100,000 gold and 100 of each resource. |
| nwctheconstruct | Gives 100,000 gold and 100 of each resource. |
| wogisengard | Gives 100,000 gold and 100 of each resource. |
| nwconlyamodel | All towns on the map are fully upgraded, including the grail structure. |
| nwccoruscant | All towns on the map are fully upgraded, including the grail structure. |
| nwczion | All towns on the map are fully upgraded, including the grail structure. |
| wogminastirith | All towns on the map are fully upgraded, including the grail structure. |
| nwcgeneraldirection | Reveals the whole map. |
| nwcrevealourselves | Reveals the whole map. |
| nwcwhatisthematrix | Reveals the whole map. |
| wogeyeofsauron | Reveals the whole map. |
| nwcignoranceisbliss | Hides the world map. |
| wogmordor | Hides the world map. |
| nwcalreadygotone | Reveals the grail puzzle map. |
| nwcprophecy | Reveals the grail puzzle map. |
| nwcoracle | Reveals the grail puzzle map. |
| wogpalantir | Reveals the grail puzzle map. |
| nwcphisherprice | Changes the color scheme to that of Heroes of Might and Magic II. |
| wogsarumanofmanycolors | Changes the color scheme to that of Heroes of Might and Magic II. |
| gosolo | AI takes control of current player. |
| nwcarchitect | Hero receives the Grail in their backpack. |
| nwctheone | Reveals the whole map, gives 5 Archangels in each empty army slot, and grants unlimited movement and flight. |
Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Shadow of Death
When playing a game press TAB, type the CODE and press ENTER.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| nwcredpill | Immediate victory, ranks you a ‘Cheater!!!’ in the ‘Land’ column. |
| nwczion | Build all buildings in your castle including the grail building. |
| nwctrinity | Hero gets 5 Archangels in each empty army slot. |
| nwcagents | Hero gets 10 Black Knights in each empty army slot. |
| nwclotsofguns | Hero gains all war machines (Ballista, First Aid Tent, Ammo Cart). |
| nwcthereisnospoon | Hero gets spell book, all spells and 999 current spell points. |
| nwcneo | Hero gains 1 level-up. |
| nwcnebuchadnezzar | Hero gains unlimited movement. |
| nwcfollowthewhiterabbit | Hero gains maximum luck for the rest of the game. |
| nwcmorpheus | Hero gains maximum morale for the rest of the game. |
| nwcoracle | Reveals the grail puzzle map. |
| nwcwhatisthematrix | Reveals the whole map. |
| nwctheconstruct | Gives 100,000 gold and 100 of each other resource. |
| nwcbluepill | Immediate loss & head chop video. |
| nwcignoranceisbliss | Hides the world map. |
| nwcphisherprice | Brightens colors. |
Heroes of Might and Magic II
Start a game, select a hero (one click) in adventure screen and type the code.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| 8675309 | Makes the Entire Map Visible. |
| 32167 | Gives Five Black Dragons to a Selected Hero. Can be used multiple times. |
| 911 | Win Instantly! ‘Cheater’ rank in High Scores. |
| 1313 | Lose Instantly! |
Heroes of Might and Magic (PC)
Press Tab and open the bar where you can enter your cheat code and activate it.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| 101495 | Reveals full map. |
| 101496 | Get gold. |
| 101111 | Enchants spell to hasten army. |
| 844690 | Get crystals. |
| 844691 | Get Ores. |
| 899101 | Get diamonds. |
| 991001 | Get plutos. |
Heroes of Fantasia: A Roguelike Odyssey Through Anime-Inspired Chaos
Introduction: A Game Lost in the Shadows of Its Own Ambition
Heroes of Fantasia (2020) is a curious artifact—a roguelike RPG that emerged with little fanfare, buried beneath the weight of its own obscurity. Released on Windows by Xi’an Xiexing Information Technology Co., Ltd., it is a game that defies easy categorization, blending the frenetic energy of anime aesthetics with the punishing, procedurally generated dungeons of a roguelike. Yet, despite its bold ambitions, it remains an enigma—a title that slipped through the cracks of gaming discourse, leaving behind only fragmented impressions and unanswered questions.
This review seeks to unearth the truth behind Heroes of Fantasia, examining its mechanics, its place in the broader RPG landscape, and why it failed to leave a lasting mark. Is it a hidden gem, a flawed experiment, or simply a forgettable footnote in the annals of indie gaming? Let us descend into its labyrinthine depths and find out.
Development History & Context: The Birth of an Obscure Roguelike
A Studio Shrouded in Mystery
Little is known about Xi’an Xiexing Information Technology Co., Ltd., the Chinese developer behind Heroes of Fantasia. Unlike the more prominent studios that dominate the RPG space, Xiexing operates in relative anonymity, with no major prior releases to its name. This lack of pedigree may explain why the game launched without significant marketing or critical attention.
The game’s Steam description paints it as a “roguelike adventure” with a heavy emphasis on multiplayer competition, yet its development cycle remains undocumented. There are no post-mortems, no developer diaries, and no interviews—just a game that appeared in 2020 and swiftly faded into obscurity.
The Roguelike Renaissance and the Crowded Market
2020 was a banner year for roguelikes and roguelites, with titles like Hades, Spelunky 2, and Risk of Rain 2 dominating the conversation. Heroes of Fantasia entered this saturated market with a unique blend of anime-inspired visuals and MMO-lite mechanics, but it lacked the polish, narrative depth, or mechanical innovation to stand out.
Its Steam store page promises “hundreds of levels, hundreds of monsters, and dozens of bosses,” yet the execution feels more like a mobile gacha game ported to PC than a refined roguelike experience. The absence of critical reviews on Metacritic and the sparse player discussions on Steam suggest that it failed to resonate with either hardcore roguelike enthusiasts or casual anime fans.
Technological Constraints and Design Philosophy
The game’s 2D scrolling perspective and diagonal-down camera angle evoke classic Diablo-style ARPGs, but its execution is rudimentary. The art style is a mishmash of generic anime tropes—elves, demons, and fantasy warriors—without a distinct visual identity. The UI is functional but uninspired, and the lack of controller support (a surprising omission for a game of this genre) further hampers its accessibility.
Given its 2020 release, one might expect modern QoL features like save-scumming prevention, balanced difficulty curves, or meaningful progression systems. Instead, Heroes of Fantasia feels like a relic of an earlier era—a game designed for grind-heavy mobile audiences rather than PC players seeking depth.
Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive: A Story Lost in Translation
The Premise: A Collision of Worlds
The game’s Steam description offers only the vaguest hints of a plot:
“In a world much like our own, numerous troubling incidents occur all over the planet. People known as Native Alters with strange powers instigate anti-social acts. Monstrous creatures called Orphan meddle in human society… In order to counter all of the above, several organizations rise up to fend off these threats.”
This cryptic setup suggests a grand, multi-faction conflict, but in practice, the narrative is nearly nonexistent. Players are thrust into procedurally generated dungeons with little context, battling through waves of enemies in pursuit of loot and leaderboard dominance.
Themes: Chaos, Competition, and the Illusion of Heroism
If Heroes of Fantasia has a unifying theme, it is the futility of individual heroism in a world governed by randomness. The roguelike structure reinforces this—no matter how powerful a player becomes, death resets progress, and the cycle begins anew. The game’s emphasis on cross-server boss battles and PvP arenas further underscores a Darwinian philosophy: only the strongest (or luckiest) survive.
Yet, unlike Hades or Dead Cells, which use their roguelike structures to explore themes of perseverance and growth, Heroes of Fantasia offers no emotional payoff. There are no character arcs, no meaningful dialogue, and no world-building to speak of. It is a game about mechanics, not meaning.
The Silence of the Characters
The game’s cast—four elemental elves (water, fire, light, dark)—are little more than avatars for player fantasy. Their “nine different abilities” are purely functional, devoid of personality. Even the Steam community discussions make no mention of story or lore, focusing instead on technical issues like server connectivity and bugs.
This narrative vacuum is the game’s greatest weakness. In an era where even the most mechanically focused roguelikes (Risk of Rain 2, Vampire Survivors) incorporate some form of environmental storytelling, Heroes of Fantasia feels hollow.
Gameplay Mechanics & Systems: A Grind Without a Payoff
The Core Loop: Kill, Loot, Die, Repeat
At its heart, Heroes of Fantasia is a straightforward dungeon crawler:
1. Procedural Generation: Players navigate randomly generated maps filled with enemies, traps, and bosses.
2. Combat: Real-time, action-RPG combat with light attack combos and special abilities.
3. Loot & Progression: Defeated enemies drop equipment, runes, and “spirit guides” (seals that unlock demonic abilities).
4. Death & Reset: Permadeath is in effect, though the Steam description claims “there is basically no punishment” for dying—a confusing contradiction.
Character Progression: A Facade of Depth
The game boasts multiple progression systems:
– Equipment Tiers: Gear changes every 20 levels, with drastically different stats.
– Suits: Collecting matching gear sets grants bonuses.
– Spirit Guides: Defeating demons unlocks their abilities.
– Runes: Competitive magic artifacts that must be “earned fairly.”
On paper, this sounds robust. In practice, the systems feel disjointed. The lack of a proper tutorial means players must experiment blindly, and the absence of meaningful build diversity makes optimization feel like a chore rather than a reward.
Multiplayer & Competition: A Ghost Town
The game’s Steam description heavily emphasizes multiplayer features:
– ARENA: PvP battles to “release your anger.”
– SKYCLOUD: A leaderboard system to “be the top of the list.”
– World Boss Battles: Cross-server raids where players compete for dominance.
Yet, the Steam community discussions tell a different story. Posts from 2021 and 2022 complain about server issues, missing server selection menus, and an inability to even launch the game. By 2023, players were asking, “Game taken off Steam?”—suggesting that the multiplayer ecosystem had collapsed entirely.
The Flaws: Repetition, Lack of Polish, and Broken Promises
- Repetitive Gameplay: With no narrative or environmental variety, the dungeon crawling grows tedious.
- Unbalanced Difficulty: The Steam description claims “no punishment” for death, but player reports suggest brutal spikes in enemy power.
- Technical Issues: Bugs, missing servers, and poor optimization plague the experience.
- No Endgame: Without a thriving multiplayer scene, the game’s competitive features are meaningless.
World-Building, Art & Sound: A Generic Fantasy Mashup
Visual Design: Anime Tropes Without Identity
The game’s art style is a pastiche of generic anime fantasy:
– Character Designs: The four elves (water, fire, light, dark) are archetypal, with no distinguishing features.
– Enemies: Monsters range from standard fantasy fare (goblins, skeletons) to more esoteric demons, but none leave a lasting impression.
– Environments: The “hundreds of levels” promised in the description amount to palette-swapped dungeons with little thematic cohesion.
The diagonal-down perspective and 2D scrolling evoke Diablo and Titan Quest, but the execution lacks the atmospheric depth of those classics. There is no sense of place—no haunting ruins, no bustling towns, just an endless parade of combat arenas.
Sound Design: Forgettable and Functional
There is no mention of the game’s soundtrack in any available sources, suggesting that it, like the visuals, is purely functional. Generic battle themes, ambient dungeon noises, and repetitive sound effects do little to elevate the experience.
Atmosphere: The Absence of Immersion
Great roguelikes (Darkest Dungeon, Dead Cells) use sound and art to create tension, dread, or exhilaration. Heroes of Fantasia fails on all counts. There is no mood, no tone—just the cold efficiency of a grind.
Reception & Legacy: The Game That Wasn’t
Critical Reception: Nonexistent
- Metacritic: No critic reviews.
- OpenCritic: No listings.
- IGN, Kotaku, RPG Gamers: No formal reviews, only brief mentions in broader articles.
The game’s sole presence on Steam is a graveyard of abandoned discussions, with players reporting bugs, server issues, and eventual abandonment by the developers.
Commercial Performance: A Silent Failure
With no sales data available, we can only infer its performance from its Steam community activity—which dried up by 2023. The game’s obscurity is its legacy.
Influence on the Genre: Zero
Heroes of Fantasia arrived too late to influence the roguelike boom and was too flawed to inspire imitators. It is a footnote—a cautionary tale of how even a game with ambitious mechanics can fail without polish, narrative, or community support.
Conclusion: A Game That Never Found Its Audience
Heroes of Fantasia is not a bad game in the traditional sense. It is, instead, a hollow game—one that promises depth but delivers only repetition. Its roguelike structure lacks the tight design of Hades, its anime aesthetic lacks the charm of Persona, and its multiplayer ambitions collapsed under the weight of technical neglect.
In the pantheon of forgotten RPGs, Heroes of Fantasia occupies a unique space: it is not a cult classic waiting to be rediscovered, nor is it a catastrophic failure worth mocking. It is simply there—a digital ghost, drifting through Steam’s vast library, remembered by no one.
Final Verdict: 4/10 – A Missed Opportunity
For completionist roguelike fans willing to endure its flaws, Heroes of Fantasia offers a few hours of mindless grinding. For everyone else, it is a relic best left in the past—a game that, much like its procedurally generated dungeons, leads only to dead ends.
Should You Play It?
– Yes, if: You are a roguelike masochist who enjoys obscure, unpolished experiments.
– No, if: You seek narrative depth, balanced gameplay, or a living multiplayer community.
Heroes of Fantasia is not a hero’s journey—it is a cautionary tale. And in the end, that may be its only legacy.