About

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/6/60460/1701662-agh_11.png" data-ref-id="1300-1701662" data-ratio="0.66666666666667" data-width="240" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 240px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:66.7%" href="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/6/60460/1701662-agh_11.png" data-ref-id="1300-1701662"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/6/60460/1701662-agh_11.png" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/6/60460/1701662-agh_11.png 240w" sizes="(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" data-width="240"></a></figure><p>Advance Guardian Heroes is a 2D sci-fi fantasy <a href="/belt-scrolling/3015-8588/" data-ref-id="3015-8588">belt-scrolling</a> <a href="/rpg-elements/3015-3603/" data-ref-id="3015-3603">role-playing</a> beat-'em-up developed and published by <a href="/treasure/3010-1843/" data-ref-id="3010-1843">Treasure</a>, with its overseas release published by <a href="/ubisoft-entertainment/3010-82/" data-ref-id="3010-82">Ubisoft</a>, for the <a href="/game-boy-advance/3045-4/" data-ref-id="3045-4">Game Boy Advance</a> in North America on September 14, 2004, in Japan on September 22, 2004, and in Europe on February 18, 2005.</p><p>A handheld sequel to the 1997 Saturn game <a href="/guardian-heroes/3030-5901/" data-ref-id="3030-5901">Guardian Heroes</a>, Advance Guardian Heroes updates the original's formula with a new story (along with a new protagonist), a more traditional <a href="/belt-scrolling/3015-8588/" data-ref-id="3015-8588">belt-scrolling</a> system (instead of a <a href="/multi-plane-gameplay/3015-2401/" data-ref-id="3015-2401">multi-plane</a> system) and new techniques (including <a href="/riposte/3015-4316/" data-ref-id="3015-4316">counter-attacks</a>, magic barriers, homing jumps, and a <a href="/power-up/3015-700/" data-ref-id="3015-700">powered-up</a> "Hyper Mode"). It also features linked multiplayer for up to two players in co-operative play and up to four players in versus play.</p><p>The game's story takes place long after the original, with the titular heroes (<a href="/han-samuel/3005-14604/" data-ref-id="3005-14604">Han</a>, <a href="/randy-m-green/3005-14605/" data-ref-id="3005-14605">Randy</a>, <a href="/ginjirou-ibushi/3005-14603/" data-ref-id="3005-14603">Ginjirou</a>, <a href="/nicole-neil/3005-14606/" data-ref-id="3005-14606">Nicole</a>, <a href="/serena-corsair/3005-14608/" data-ref-id="3005-14608">Cerena</a>, and <a href="/reinhart-valgar/3005-14772/" data-ref-id="3005-14772">Valgar</a>) defeating the forces of the mage <a href="/kanon-s-grey/3005-14764/" data-ref-id="3005-14764">Kanon</a> with the help of the <a href="/undead-hero/3005-14891/" data-ref-id="3005-14891">undead warrior</a> who possessed the Soul Sword, only for them to become divided on whether to serve the Sky Spirit as immortals or to perish as rebels. After the resurrection of Kanon by the immortal <a href="/zur-pa-iyah/3005-14774/" data-ref-id="3005-14774">Zur</a> in the far future, an unknown soldier of a new resistance makes a desperate attempt at stopping his new forces by becoming a vessel of the Soul Sword itself.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>Advance Guardian Heroes is a side-scrolling style 2D beat 'em up. Unlike the previous game in the series that had players moving between three separate planes, in Advance Guardian Heroes players can freely move anywhere around the screen.</p><h3>Attacks and Abilities</h3><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/103881/2934059-advance%20guardian%20heroes%20%28u%29%28venom%29_17.png" data-ref-id="1300-2934059" data-ratio="0.66666666666667" data-width="240" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 240px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:66.7%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/103881/2934059-advance%20guardian%20heroes%20%28u%29%28venom%29_17.png" data-ref-id="1300-2934059"><img alt="Performing A Magic Attack" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/10/103881/2934059-advance%20guardian%20heroes%20%28u%29%28venom%29_17.png" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/10/103881/2934059-advance%20guardian%20heroes%20%28u%29%28venom%29_17.png 240w" sizes="(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" data-width="240"></a><figcaption>Performing A Magic Attack</figcaption></figure><p>Players can do a base melee attack with the B button and a jump with the A button. While in the air players can do a downward attack by pressing the attack button.</p><p>There is a block that can be used by holding the R button. Pressing the attack button while holding the block button will allow players to use a special attack. These special attacks can be cycled through by pressing the L button.</p><h3>Stats</h3><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/103881/2934053-advance%20guardian%20heroes%20%28u%29%28venom%29_16.png" data-ref-id="1300-2934053" data-ratio="0.66666666666667" data-width="240" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 240px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:66.7%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/103881/2934053-advance%20guardian%20heroes%20%28u%29%28venom%29_16.png" data-ref-id="1300-2934053"><img alt="Leveling Up Stats" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" data-width="240" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/10/103881/2934053-advance%20guardian%20heroes%20%28u%29%28venom%29_16.png" data-srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/10/103881/2934053-advance%20guardian%20heroes%20%28u%29%28venom%29_16.png 240w"><noscript><img alt="Leveling Up Stats" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/10/103881/2934053-advance%20guardian%20heroes%20%28u%29%28venom%29_16.png" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/10/103881/2934053-advance%20guardian%20heroes%20%28u%29%28venom%29_16.png 240w" sizes="(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" data-width="240"></noscript></a><figcaption>Leveling Up Stats</figcaption></figure><p>When defeating enemies, crystals will be dropped which can be collected. When enough of these crystals are collected players can upgrade their stats. The opportunity to upgrade comes between stages.</p><p>There are seven different stats that can be leveled up:</p><ul><li>Vitality (VIT) - Increases the amount of maximum HP.</li><li>Mind (MND) - Increases the amount of maximum MP and the recovery speed of MP.</li><li>Attack (ATK) - Increases the amount of attack damage done.</li><li>Defense (DEF) - Increases the resistance to enemy attacks.</li><li>Magic Attack (MATK) - Increases the amount of damage with magic attacks.</li><li>Magic Defense (MDEF) - Increases resistance to magic attacks and affects counter timing.</li><li>Mobile Power (MOB) - Increases movement speed and speed of filling the anger gauge.</li></ul><h2>Characters</h2><p>The game includes a new starting roster of three characters, with 18 unlockable characters. Unlike the previous game, these characters can be used in any game mode.</p><h3>Base Roster</h3><p>Unlike the previous game, each of the game's main heroes are <a href="/palette-swap/3015-1434/" data-ref-id="3015-1434">palette swaps</a> with different base stats and magical abilities. They are also <a href="/silent-protagonist/3015-54/" data-ref-id="3015-54">silent protagonists</a>.</p><ul><li>Enn - Focused on fire magic and starts with both high attacking power and high HP.</li><li>Ray - Focused on lightning magic and starts with both high mobility and high MP.</li><li>Hyu - Focused on ice magic and starts with both high defensive power and high MP.</li></ul><h3>Unlockable</h3><ul><li>Goblin</li><li>Dylan</li><li>Soldier</li><li>Cyclops</li><li>Goblin Tank</li><li><a href="/ginjirou-ibushi/3005-14603/" data-ref-id="3005-14603">Ginjirou</a></li><li>Sorceror</li><li>Roper</li><li><a href="/han-samuel/3005-14604/" data-ref-id="3005-14604">Han</a></li><li>Heavy Gear</li><li>Gargoyle</li><li><a href="/randy-m-green/3005-14605/" data-ref-id="3005-14605">Edo</a></li><li>Sky Knight</li><li><a href="/reinhart-valgar/3005-14772/" data-ref-id="3005-14772">Valgar</a></li><li><a href="/zur-pa-iyah/3005-14774/" data-ref-id="3005-14774">Zur</a></li><li><a href="/serena-corsair/3005-14608/" data-ref-id="3005-14608">Cerena</a></li><li><a href="/nicole-neil/3005-14606/" data-ref-id="3005-14606">Nicole</a></li><li><a href="/kanon-s-grey/3005-14764/" data-ref-id="3005-14764">Kanon</a></li></ul>