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'''The Tower of Druaga''' is an arcade game released by Namco in 1984. It runs on Namco Super Pac-Man hardware but with a video system like that used in Mappy. It was later ported to the ''MSX'', ''Famicom'' and remade for the ''PC Engine'' platform. Its first appearance outside Japan was in the third compilation of the ''Namco Museum'' series for the PlayStation and will also appear on the Nintendo DS version of said series.
The player assumes the role of the hero Gilgamesh (also known as Gil), whose goal is to rescue the maiden Ki (pronounced Kai) from the demon Druaga. In order to do this, he must traverse through 60 floors of an immense tower. Each floor consists of a maze filled with monsters, and a randomly placed locked door leading to the next level. The player must navigate through the maze in order to find a randomly placed key that unlocks the door. In addition, each floor contains a hidden treasure, which appears once the player has performed a specific requirement. The player's starting position is also randomly determined, and is where the hidden treasure always appears when revealed. The mazes themselves are not random. Some of the treasures contain merely helpful items, while some contain items essential to completing the game. Gilgamesh comes equipped with a sword, which he can use to defeat monsters, and a shield, which can be used to block magical attacks. The monsters get progressively more difficult as the game progresses, beginning with simple slimes and culminating with Druaga himself.
The regular enemies are slimes, magicians, ghosts, knights, lizard men, ropers (which look like huge blobs with tentacles), and dragons.
In the third ''Namco Museum'' game, there is a small handbook telling how to get the treasures. There is also a hidden version far more difficult than the regular. The treasures (save the first one) are all alternated in how to get. In the museum's library, there are three books containing illustrations of the game's characters.
Several sequels were later made, further chronicling the feats of Gilgamesh and Ki. These were
★ ''The Return of Ishtar'' (1986): ''Arcade'', ''MSX2''
★ ''The Quest of Ki'' (1988): ''Famicom''
★ ''The Blue Crystal Rod'' (1994): ''Super Famicom''
★ '' (2000): ''Game Boy Color
★ ''The Nightmare of Druaga'' (2004): ''PlayStation 2''
★ '' (2006): ''Arcade''
The sequels were not as successful as the first game, although ''Return of Ishtar'' came very close.
It picks up where ''Tower of Druaga'' left off, and was released on the fourth ''Namco Museum'' game. The player controls two characters: Ki as well as Gilgamesh. It can also be noted in this game that Ki is a magician, not a damsel in distress like many people believe. The tower now has a few different ways to exit, and the aggregate total of levels is 128 (covering the 60-floor tower).
In the fourth ''Namco Museum'' game, you control Ki with the directional pad and Gilgamesh with the buttons. Because the latter draws his sword whenever an enemy is near, it is recommended by most that you mainly control Ki. There is also a small handbook included which shows you passwords and floor maps that make it easier to win.
It is basically a prequel to ''Tower of Druaga''. See the ''Quest of Ki'' article for more explanation.
The least well-known of the sequels, this picks up where ''Return of Ishtar'' left off and is the final game in the ''Tower of Druaga'' series, according to Namco.
:''See also The Nightmare of Druaga''
This game is set three years after the original ''Tower of Druaga'' tetrology. In it, Ki and Gilgamesh are about to be married, however, Ki is kidnapped by an evil sorceress, Skulld. The game is known for its unforgiving difficulty, as death in the game results in losing all your items and half your gold.
In this game, Ishtar (who is good-natured in earlier games) is portrayed as bossy, and whoever resets the game gets yelled at by her for "meddling with the flow of time".
Nightmare was not made by Namco, but by two other companies called 'Arika' and 'ChunSoft'. It was far less successful than the prior games, and was even given a low rating in a video game magazine. This game is the fifth in the "Druaga series" (not counting "Drururuaga"), and the eighth in the aforementioned Mysterious Dungeon series.
This game is placed about 100 years after the original Druaga timeline and stars Gilsh, a descendant of Gilgamesh. Gameplay is best described as a dungeon-building capture the flag with collectible cards. Use cards to equip your character with weapons and spells, and to populate your dungeon with monsters. Then battle against an opponent and his dungeon (AI or link cable). Enter opponent's dungeon via linked teleporters, find the three keys to unlock the crystal, and return it to your home base before your he does the same. Success yields additional cards. Each item or monster is highly specialized, allowing for different strategic combos. Features many Namco cameos, such as ''Soulcalibur''' s Nightmare and the sword Soul Edge, Valkyrie, Pac-Man, and even enemies from Dig Dug.
This game is set outside the main chronology of the series, and borrows characters from Namco's Valkyrie series. Gameplay is similar to The Return of Ishtar, only four players may play at the same time; each controlling one of the four available characters: Gil, a young version of Ki, Valkyrie, or an ancient golem named Xeovalga. Players also earn gold from killing enemies that can be used to upgrade equipment.
The game was remade for the PC Engine in 1992. The game sports new graphics, a password feature, difficulty levels (easy, normal, hard and pro).
The levels themselves are completely different, the conditions to get the secret treasures are changed, some treasures have been removed and some have been added, there are new enemies.
You also have an item screen where you can use the collected items and equip armor.
At the end of each level you get ability points which you can use to raise your speed, sword speed, Pickax uses and more.
★ The series has been often referenced in other Namco games.
★
★ In ''Tales of Phantasia'' much of the equipment used by Gilgamesh could be obtained.
★
★ ''Tales of Destiny'' contained an optional dungeon based directly off of the original ''Tower of Druaga'' (but with different treasures).
★
★ In ''Tales of Symphonia'', the equipment used by Gilgamesh could be obtained, and the character Zelos could gain a special title by wearing it.
★
★ '' also contains a variation of the dungeon. The game also contains costumes for Gilgamesh, Ki and Druaga which allows the heroes to become them in battle, and wearing the Gilgamesh costume is necessary to access the dungeon in the first place.
★
★ In ''Tales of Legendia'', one of the "Rare Monsters" that you can find and battle is the Quox, the dragon enemies from the Druaga games.
★
★ '' has 5 worlds and one of them is called ''Hole of Druaga'' featuring Mr Driller game with RPG elements.
★
★ ''Mr. Driller Ace'' featured two levels named after Druaga characters: the "Druaga Ruins" and the "Quox Ruins".
★
★ Several characters from the series appear in ''Namco x Capcom''
★
★ In '', the Tower of Druaga makes an appearance as a puzzle in Mira, complete with slimes and tools. Baten Kaitos also contains some of Gilgamesh's equipment as obtainable items.
★
★ Japanese gamers that pre-ordered Baten Kaitos also got a bonus disc containing the Famicom version of the original Tower of Druaga.
★
★ In ''Soulcalibur II'', one of Sophitia's alternate costumes was based on Ki's design. In addition, one of her weapon sets was the Blue Crystal Rod and Blue Line Shield, equipment formerly used by Ki and Gil, respectively. The Red Crystal Rod and Red Line Shield are also available as bonus weapons for Cassandra.
★
★ The song "Taiko March" in the game includes music from several Namco games, including the Tower of Druaga.
★
★ at
★ History of Druaga games from 1UP.com
| Contents |
| Gameplay |
| Sequels |
| The Return of Ishtar |
| The Quest of Ki |
| The Blue Crystal Rod |
| The Nightmare of Druaga |
| Seme COM Dungeon: Drururuaga |
| Druaga Online: The Story of Aon |
| Remake |
| Trivia |
| External links |
Gameplay
The player assumes the role of the hero Gilgamesh (also known as Gil), whose goal is to rescue the maiden Ki (pronounced Kai) from the demon Druaga. In order to do this, he must traverse through 60 floors of an immense tower. Each floor consists of a maze filled with monsters, and a randomly placed locked door leading to the next level. The player must navigate through the maze in order to find a randomly placed key that unlocks the door. In addition, each floor contains a hidden treasure, which appears once the player has performed a specific requirement. The player's starting position is also randomly determined, and is where the hidden treasure always appears when revealed. The mazes themselves are not random. Some of the treasures contain merely helpful items, while some contain items essential to completing the game. Gilgamesh comes equipped with a sword, which he can use to defeat monsters, and a shield, which can be used to block magical attacks. The monsters get progressively more difficult as the game progresses, beginning with simple slimes and culminating with Druaga himself.
The regular enemies are slimes, magicians, ghosts, knights, lizard men, ropers (which look like huge blobs with tentacles), and dragons.
In the third ''Namco Museum'' game, there is a small handbook telling how to get the treasures. There is also a hidden version far more difficult than the regular. The treasures (save the first one) are all alternated in how to get. In the museum's library, there are three books containing illustrations of the game's characters.
Sequels
Several sequels were later made, further chronicling the feats of Gilgamesh and Ki. These were
★ ''The Return of Ishtar'' (1986): ''Arcade'', ''MSX2''
★ ''The Quest of Ki'' (1988): ''Famicom''
★ ''The Blue Crystal Rod'' (1994): ''Super Famicom''
★ '' (2000): ''Game Boy Color
★ ''The Nightmare of Druaga'' (2004): ''PlayStation 2''
★ '' (2006): ''Arcade''
The sequels were not as successful as the first game, although ''Return of Ishtar'' came very close.
The Return of Ishtar
It picks up where ''Tower of Druaga'' left off, and was released on the fourth ''Namco Museum'' game. The player controls two characters: Ki as well as Gilgamesh. It can also be noted in this game that Ki is a magician, not a damsel in distress like many people believe. The tower now has a few different ways to exit, and the aggregate total of levels is 128 (covering the 60-floor tower).
In the fourth ''Namco Museum'' game, you control Ki with the directional pad and Gilgamesh with the buttons. Because the latter draws his sword whenever an enemy is near, it is recommended by most that you mainly control Ki. There is also a small handbook included which shows you passwords and floor maps that make it easier to win.
The Quest of Ki
It is basically a prequel to ''Tower of Druaga''. See the ''Quest of Ki'' article for more explanation.
The Blue Crystal Rod
The least well-known of the sequels, this picks up where ''Return of Ishtar'' left off and is the final game in the ''Tower of Druaga'' series, according to Namco.
The Nightmare of Druaga
:''See also The Nightmare of Druaga''
This game is set three years after the original ''Tower of Druaga'' tetrology. In it, Ki and Gilgamesh are about to be married, however, Ki is kidnapped by an evil sorceress, Skulld. The game is known for its unforgiving difficulty, as death in the game results in losing all your items and half your gold.
In this game, Ishtar (who is good-natured in earlier games) is portrayed as bossy, and whoever resets the game gets yelled at by her for "meddling with the flow of time".
Nightmare was not made by Namco, but by two other companies called 'Arika' and 'ChunSoft'. It was far less successful than the prior games, and was even given a low rating in a video game magazine. This game is the fifth in the "Druaga series" (not counting "Drururuaga"), and the eighth in the aforementioned Mysterious Dungeon series.
Seme COM Dungeon: Drururuaga
This game is placed about 100 years after the original Druaga timeline and stars Gilsh, a descendant of Gilgamesh. Gameplay is best described as a dungeon-building capture the flag with collectible cards. Use cards to equip your character with weapons and spells, and to populate your dungeon with monsters. Then battle against an opponent and his dungeon (AI or link cable). Enter opponent's dungeon via linked teleporters, find the three keys to unlock the crystal, and return it to your home base before your he does the same. Success yields additional cards. Each item or monster is highly specialized, allowing for different strategic combos. Features many Namco cameos, such as ''Soulcalibur''
Druaga Online: The Story of Aon
This game is set outside the main chronology of the series, and borrows characters from Namco's Valkyrie series. Gameplay is similar to The Return of Ishtar, only four players may play at the same time; each controlling one of the four available characters: Gil, a young version of Ki, Valkyrie, or an ancient golem named Xeovalga. Players also earn gold from killing enemies that can be used to upgrade equipment.
Remake
The game was remade for the PC Engine in 1992. The game sports new graphics, a password feature, difficulty levels (easy, normal, hard and pro).
The levels themselves are completely different, the conditions to get the secret treasures are changed, some treasures have been removed and some have been added, there are new enemies.
You also have an item screen where you can use the collected items and equip armor.
At the end of each level you get ability points which you can use to raise your speed, sword speed, Pickax uses and more.
Trivia
★ The series has been often referenced in other Namco games.
★
★ In ''Tales of Phantasia'' much of the equipment used by Gilgamesh could be obtained.
★
★ ''Tales of Destiny'' contained an optional dungeon based directly off of the original ''Tower of Druaga'' (but with different treasures).
★
★ In ''Tales of Symphonia'', the equipment used by Gilgamesh could be obtained, and the character Zelos could gain a special title by wearing it.
★
★ '' also contains a variation of the dungeon. The game also contains costumes for Gilgamesh, Ki and Druaga which allows the heroes to become them in battle, and wearing the Gilgamesh costume is necessary to access the dungeon in the first place.
★
★ In ''Tales of Legendia'', one of the "Rare Monsters" that you can find and battle is the Quox, the dragon enemies from the Druaga games.
★
★ '' has 5 worlds and one of them is called ''Hole of Druaga'' featuring Mr Driller game with RPG elements.
★
★ ''Mr. Driller Ace'' featured two levels named after Druaga characters: the "Druaga Ruins" and the "Quox Ruins".
★
★ Several characters from the series appear in ''Namco x Capcom''
★
★ In '', the Tower of Druaga makes an appearance as a puzzle in Mira, complete with slimes and tools. Baten Kaitos also contains some of Gilgamesh's equipment as obtainable items.
★
★ Japanese gamers that pre-ordered Baten Kaitos also got a bonus disc containing the Famicom version of the original Tower of Druaga.
★
★ In ''Soulcalibur II'', one of Sophitia's alternate costumes was based on Ki's design. In addition, one of her weapon sets was the Blue Crystal Rod and Blue Line Shield, equipment formerly used by Ki and Gil, respectively. The Red Crystal Rod and Red Line Shield are also available as bonus weapons for Cassandra.
★
★ The song "Taiko March" in the game includes music from several Namco games, including the Tower of Druaga.
External links
★
★ at
★ History of Druaga games from 1UP.com
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