The amount of games that are coming out in recent months for Wii is quite small. However, this does not mean that we do not receive quality titles and it is that in less than a year we have enjoyed ‘Xenoblade Chronicles’, ‘The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword’ and more recently ‘The Last Story’. To complete this pack of games that mix action with RPG comes ‘ Pandora’s Tower ‘.
Dying beautiful or living ugly. What would make you happier?
‘Pandora’s Tower’ puts us in the shoes of Aeron, a young warrior who is involved in an incident to say the least tricky. Helena, his beloved, has been attacked by monsters who have put a curse on her . The kingdom where they live want to end his life, for having seen the beast, while Aeron seeks a solution to strip it of the spell.
Mavda stands in his way: a mysterious old woman who explains to our hero how to free Helena from the curse: eat meat from the beasts that inhabit the thirteen towers of Pandora. Without thinking twice, the three characters head to the towers where they will look for a solution. Inside these: a lot of creatures that will try to kill us.
So far nothing new. Typical story of hero saves princess. However, the plot itself sneaks into the approach of the game and its mechanics. Helena’s curse, beyond being a narrative resource, becomes a weighty element that will influence our decisions and the way we play.
In other words. Think of games like ‘Dead Rising 2’ or ‘Lost in Blue’. Every so often we will have to return to the observatory where Helena takes shelter to give her beast meat, which we will get by defeating enemies, so that the curse stops its effects. We will not have to be as punctual as in Capcom’s zombie game, there is room, but if we go beyond it, it will turn into a beast and take us to the Game Over screen.
In this way we will have to combine our excursions to the towers with care for Helena. In addition to beast meat, we can give it different objects that we will get throughout the game. In this way the affinity with it will increase and we will achieve a different ending. In total there are six: one good and another five … not so good.
‘Pandora’s Tower’ mixing action, with RPG , platforms and exploration
If we had to define ‘Pandora’s Tower’ in a few words, we could say that it is a hack and slash that mixes elements from other genres. The RPG contributes with a level-up system and a distribution of equipment and objects. In addition, we can also do alchemy and forge new weapons.
This aspect does not reach the level, sometimes overwhelming, of ‘Xenoblade Chronicles’ but it is quite deep. We will also have platforms. Not in the classic sense but from a different stream that in different cases reminds of ‘Bionic Commando’ . Using the chains we can move from one place to another hooking ourselves to different strategic points on the stage.
Exploration will also play an important role. Inside each of the thirteen towers we will find different paths and shortcuts that will help us progress and get different objects as well as reach the boss of each one. The relationship of these three elements, action, platforms and exploration, will depend on the tower.
All this without forgetting the main reason for the game. The action. Aeron, our protagonist, will be equipped with a sword and a chain. With the first we will make the most basic blows. With the second, and with the help of the nun-chuk and the Wiimando we can target our enemies, catch them and launch them with the chain. In total, we can make four different movements with the chain .
The integration of both weapons when playing is quite good. The stages are relatively wide and we will always have enough space to move and at the same time aim with the chain and strike with blows . At first it is a bit confusing but after a few fights we will understand the most basic commands without problems. The camera, by the way, is always fixed and we will not be able to rotate it.
The game, as you may have already guessed, is structured in thirteen towers . Each one of them with a theme that defines them (nature, water, stone, fire …) not only aesthetically but also when it comes to obtaining certain objects. For example: in the towers with plants we will get herbs and seeds while in those of fire or stone it will be easier to find minerals.
The order of the towers is predefined by the game and at no time can we jump over it. Of course, once overcome, we will be allowed to revisit them to access new parts, return for more objects and in Game + mode enter unique rooms. Each one will have a final boss from which we will have to rip out its heart to defeat it. The mechanics will always be different and seen what has been seen: it will not be a precisely simple task.
The first impression with ‘Pandora’s Tower’ has been positive. The mixture of the different elements, with certain reminiscences of the ‘Castlevania’ saga, works very well . At first it is difficult to get hold of the combat system and at times it can be frustrating to move between the towers and the observatory where Helena is waiting for us to bring her beast meat.
However, at least as far as we have been able to prove, it does not seem that this last point is going to be especially stressful. The game has been created with Ganbarion , authors among others of the ‘Jump Super Stars’ saga for Nintendo DS as well as multiple ‘One Piece’ games.
Pandora’s Tower | Nintendo Wii
- Platforms : Nintendo Wii
- Developer : Ganbarion
- Distributor : Nintendo
- Released : April 13, 2012
- Price : 49.90 euros
‘Pandora’s Tower’ is an action game that mixes elements of RPG , platforms and exploration. In it we play Aeron, a young warrior who must gather beast meat to save his beloved from a curse that will turn her into a monster.
Video | Youtube
