The Tower of Druaga arcade flyer.
The Tower of Druaga (ドルアーガの塔 Doruāga no Tou) is a maze-based action-adventure arcade game released by Namco in 1984.[1][2] It is the first game in the Babylonian Castle Saga, where the player controls prince Gilgamesh and has to climb the titular tower to defeat the demon Druaga at the top to save the maiden Ki.
The game is inspired by Sumerian and Babylonian mythology, including the Epic of Gilgamesh and Tower of Babel.
For the arcade cabinet of the game see The Tower of Druaga Arcade Cabinet.
Story[]
- In another time
- In another world...
The Blue Crystal Rod kept the kingdom of Babylim in peace, but the evil demon Druaga hid the rod and the maiden Ki in a tower. The prince Gilgamesh wore a golden armor and attacked the monsters in the tower to save Ki in the Tower of Druaga.
Characters[]
Title screen of the game.
Main characters[]
- Gilgamesh - The protagonist. Prince Gil enters the tower to save Ki.
- Ki - A maiden captured by Druaga.
- Ishtar - A goddess that assists Gil.
- Druaga - The antagonist, an evil and powerful demon.
- Succubus - A demon that works for Druaga.
- Quox - A dragon that lives in the tower.
- Anshar - Appears in the opening of the PC Engine version.
Enemies[]
Ports[]
NES Logo.
The Tower of Druaga was also released for Famicom (NES) in 1985, for MSX in 1986, Game Boy in 1990, PC Engine in 1992, and for the Wii Virtual Console in 2000. The game is also part of some of the Namco Museum compilations for PlayStation, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, and Xbox 360. Most versions have some differences between them, including the Reverse and Darkness hidden game modes.
In the Game Boy version, a password is given at every 10 floors to allow the player to continue, and Gil is able to withstand more hits.
The PC Engine version is a remake of the original, having different content like new enemies (including enemies from other games like Vampires and Salamanders), new items, four difficulty levels (easy, normal, hard and pro gamer), and a password system for the two easiest difficulties. The pro gamer difficulty is closer to the original version, having similar treasure reveal methods and lacking the new enemies.
CD ROM Case.
In 2001, MediaKite released a port for Windows that can also be played on XP, ME, 95, 98, 2000 and any Windows desktop computer that supports backwards compatibility and DirectX 7 or higher.
HAMSTER Corporation produced the ARCADE ARCHIVES series for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, publishing a re-release for The Tower of Druaga in 2022.
Gameplay[]
The player takes the role as Gilgamesh, you begin the game at Floor 1. Each Floor contains a treasure item to help Gil reach the top of the tower in order to beat the game. Most items are useful, while some can be harmful to the player, and some items require you to complete the game on the 60th Floor where you must rescue Ki. Use the sword to slay enemies, and block spells with your shield. You can swing the sword or hold the button down to leave it out, while your shield will be on the left side, use this with caution. There is a timer at the bottom of the screen, if it runs out then Gil will lose a life and you will have to restart the level.
Gil fighting a ghost.
As the player progress, each level gets harder and more difficult, a guide would be helpful for the situation. However, not every enemy can be slain early on, avoid stronger enemies and wait until you get better items, it's best to proceed to the next floor in this situation. Certain enemies can't be killed, take note of the enemy's behavior as you make your way through the levels.
Secrets[]
Level Select Screen.
The game has a continue mode to where the player is allowed to resume after losing all their Gil lives from a previous play through. Press and hold the attack button then press Start, you will be prompt to the level select screen. This only works in single player mode, the second player will not be able to continue. You can only continue from the Floor where you last went to, and all your items will be recovered.
Cheats[]
On the PlayStation for Namco Museum Vol.3 you can add cheats on a Gameshark disk for The Tower of Druaga. This currently works for Version 5.
| Name | Status | Code Value | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Monsters | Active | 3015F534 | FFFF |
| Door Opened | Active | 8015F52C | 2080 |
| Have Key | Active | 8015F530 | 0001 |
| Infinite Credits | Active | 8015F480 | 0009 |
| Infinite Time | Active | 8015F464 | E320 |
| Treasure Appear | Press R2
to activate |
D015F498
8015F438 |
0002
0001 |
| Infinite Lives | Unstable | 8016664A | 0003 |
| Level Select | Unstable | 3016664B | 003B |
| Unlimited Pickaxe | Active
(broken) |
8015F584 | 002C |
Reception[]
The game was a success, attracting millions of fans in Japan with its mix of action and adventure elements.[3][4] Originally conceived as a "fantasy Pac-Man",[5] the game laid the foundations for the action role-playing game genre,[3] inspiring Nihon Falcom's Dragon Slayer.[3] Both The Tower of Druaga and Dragon Slayer largely began the trend of combining RPG elements with arcade-style action mechanics,[3] inspiring action role-playing games such as Hydlide and Ys as well as The Legend of Zelda.[1]
Trivia[]
- The game was titled "Tower of Anu" during development.[6]
- The composers are credited in the score board.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/dragonslayer/dragonslayer.htm%7C
- ↑ http://www.gamefaqs.com/arcade/584193-the-tower-of-druaga/data
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 http://www.1up.com/features/what-happened-action-rpg.html
- ↑ TOWER OF DRUAGA, PC Engine HuCard
- ↑ I Am Error: The Nintendo Family Computer / Entertainment System Platform, page 173
- ↑ Video Games Densetsu: The Tower of Druaga