"The music... OH GOD IT BLEEDS MY EARS!"

I've got fond memories of the NES back in the day. Zelda, Mario, Duck Hunt, Load Runner, and then there was this game. In the span of 3 days, 5 games, and Deadly Towers was one of them. I've seen the reviews, and I thought to myself ‘Was this game really that bad?' Well, yes, and no.

Concept:

Take your guy, put him in an area that's ether very straight-forward or painfully never-ending, smash though a bunch of things that look absolutely the same, and then repeat the process over and over and over. Sounds like Zelda in a way no? Well, basically it is. Only less straight-forward and pretty much lousy gear to work with. Not bad, but far from great. 7/10

Controls:

Up, down, left, right, menu, shoot. Believe it or not, this is by far the good thing about this game. They're simple, and really that's all I ask. If anything, it's the least flawed aspect of the game, even if it moves slow. 10/10

Graphics:

Ok, this is the point I have to say ‘yeah, you're right, it sucked!' There's only two colors of many of the minor enemies that I can detect: Black and Blue. Each area of the ‘Dudgeons' seems way too much like the last one with different colors. The bosses also have these same problems, but this time they add in a little brown from time to time. There was a cool effect that happens when you burn the bells down though, so it saves it from being a totally flawed event, but still, these graphics are poor all the way around. 2/10

Story:

The good news: You can skip the story pretty much by pressing start on the Title Screen. You're a prince of a Kingdom long ago, who's out to beat down a demon after taking down 7 bell towers (Originally, the game was going to be named Hell's Bells). This ended up happening after you were turned from a boy to a man by magic. So pretty much, there you go. No long-winded explanations, no having to sit though cut-scenes, no other letters you must read until the end of the game. And I for one, am happy about this. Story that's hard to follow and short is better than a story you get to understand way too much and takes hours. 8/10

Sound:

I must have been really messed-up as a kid, because I thought the music to this game was catchy. While it is for those who can stand it, it's pretty damn ear-bleeding. Ok, too loud for you all, I get that. I'm kind of with you. Not only that, it sounds like in dudgeons that they just added more painfully dumb music into the game. Now I admit, I don't mind this much, but it's hard for those who aren't into higher-pitched sounds. So yeah, I'll be fair to say this: IT SUCKS! 1/10

Replay Value:

Um… let's just put it to you this way, when you're done with the game, you're done with it. No side-quests or important missing factors, just done. The End. Thanks for playing. Unless you're doing speed-runs, no point on playing it again. 1/10

Fun Factor: Well, I'll be fair, this game does have amusing qualities to it. I got to make really weird voices by listening to the music of the game and singing along (which I do quite often even to this day, 20 years later). The game does not reward you for much, but I've got to say that at least it has a pretty good ending, even if you don't want to see it again. But as a whole, too much grinding, too much painful music. 3/10

Challenge:

Ok, this game is a tough one. I will say that this is one of the more challenging, but far from rewarding games, I have ever played. Now it's not too bad if you're going though it, but I'm sure some gamers won't bother with this more than twice. I would however like to see someone beat this thing without dying. That would take MAJOR skills. It's not a light-weight game, and that's why it's a good one to at least try and take on. The controls are good enough, and you shouldn't have to do anything too crazy. But be ready to take a FAQ from the site or two to work with it, or you'll never beat it. Kind of like Ultima: Exodus in a way. 8/10

Fandom:

None, period. Moving on. 1/10

Over-all rating:

Given the fact that this game is pretty much one of the first games I've played, I do see things a bit differently. It's not as bad as it COULD have been however. Just a few things you can break away from. Don't like the music, turn the sound off. Think the game is hard, play for the challenge. Sure, this game IS BAD, but it's not the worst I've ever played on the NES for any reason. Ever played Ninja Crusaders? Wall Street Kid? Jeopardy? I rest my case, but honestly…

44 out of 100. BARELY keeps away from the being the worst, but then again, with the music that bad, why would it matter?

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 02/16/10

Game Release: Deadly Towers (US, September 1987)