Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom
Encyclopedia
Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom is the first of two arcade game
s created by Capcom
and based on the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
. The game was also released on the Sega Saturn
, packaged with its sequel, Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara
, under the title Dungeons & Dragons Collection
, although the Saturn version limited the gameplay to only 2 players. The game is set in the Mystara
campaign setting
.
with some RPG elements mixed in. Notable bosses
include a troll
that regenerates unless burned, a large black dragon
, the dreaded Shadow Elf (Mystara's equivalent of the drow), a beholder
, the optional superboss Flamewing (a great wyrm red dragon) and the final boss Deimos (an archlich
).
The gameplay is more technical than the average on beat'em up games. In addition to the usual basic attacks and jumping it includes blocking, strong attacks, turning attacks, dashing attacks, crouching and evading. It also requires the use of careful tactics, as most enemies have the same abilities as the heroes and can outreach them, too.
As important as melee combat is ranged combat and the use of spells. Daggers, hammers, arrows and burning oils can be used as throwing weapons, and many enemies have similar weapons. Spells can be used by means of magical rings or by the two playable spellcasters (a cleric and an elf).
called Dungeons & Dragons Collection
in Japan. Dungeons & Dragons Collection was never released in the United States and Europe due to the Saturn's poor financial performance in both regions.
The ports had minor differences in gameplay, and also due to the limitations of the Saturn there is a maximum of two players instead of the original four.
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
s created by Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
and based on the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. The game was also released on the Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
, packaged with its sequel, Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara
Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara
Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara is an arcade game developed and published by Capcom in 1996 as a sequel to Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom. It was also released on the Sega Saturn, packaged with Tower of Doom, under the title Dungeons & Dragons Collection. The game is set in the Dungeons...
, under the title Dungeons & Dragons Collection
Dungeons & Dragons Collection
Dungeons & Dragons Collection is a 2-disc compilation of the previously released arcade games Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom and Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara. It was released in Japan on March 4, 1999 on the Sega Saturn....
, although the Saturn version limited the gameplay to only 2 players. The game is set in the Mystara
Mystara
Mystara is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role playing game. Although it has officially been dropped from production by its creators, many fans continue to develop and evolve this fantasy setting jointly, continuing its original theme of group development.-Development:It...
campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
.
Gameplay
Tower of Doom is a side scrolling beat 'em upBeat 'em up
Beat 'em up is a video game genre featuring melee combat between the protagonist and a large number of underpowered antagonists. These games typically take place in urban settings and feature crime-fighting and revenge-based plots, though some games may employ historical or fantasy themes...
with some RPG elements mixed in. Notable bosses
Boss (video games)
A boss is an enemy-based challenge which is found in video games. A fight with a boss character is commonly referred to as a boss battle or boss fight...
include a troll
Troll (Dungeons & Dragons)
Trolls are fictional monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Dungeon Masters can use them as enemies or allies of the player characters.-Publication history:...
that regenerates unless burned, a large black dragon
Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game , dragons are an iconic type of monstrous creature used as adversaries or, less commonly, allies of player characters...
, the dreaded Shadow Elf (Mystara's equivalent of the drow), a beholder
Beholder
The beholder is a fictional monster in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It resembles a floating orb of flesh with a large mouth, single central eye, and lots of smaller eyestalks on top with deadly magical powers....
, the optional superboss Flamewing (a great wyrm red dragon) and the final boss Deimos (an archlich
Lich (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the lich is an undead creature; a spellcaster who seeks to defy death by magical means.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
).
The gameplay is more technical than the average on beat'em up games. In addition to the usual basic attacks and jumping it includes blocking, strong attacks, turning attacks, dashing attacks, crouching and evading. It also requires the use of careful tactics, as most enemies have the same abilities as the heroes and can outreach them, too.
As important as melee combat is ranged combat and the use of spells. Daggers, hammers, arrows and burning oils can be used as throwing weapons, and many enemies have similar weapons. Spells can be used by means of magical rings or by the two playable spellcasters (a cleric and an elf).
Characters
- The FighterFighter (Dungeons & Dragons)The fighter is one of the standard playable character classes in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A fighter is a versatile, weapons-oriented warrior who fights using skill, strategy and tactics....
is the balanced fighter of the game. He has great reach and power, and has the highest amount of health. - The ElfElf (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
has a short reach with her sword and packs noticeably less power than the fighter, but has seven arcane spells at her disposal: Magic Missile, Invisibility, Fireball, Lightning Bolt, Polymorph Others, Ice Storm, and Cloudkill. - The ClericCleric (Dungeons & Dragons)The cleric is one of the standard playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. In the game, clerics are versatile figures, both capable in combat and skilled in the use of divine magic. Clerics are powerful healers due to the large number of healing and curative...
has fighting skills comparable to those of the elf. He can turn undead and use five divine spells: Hold Person, Striking, Continual Light, Sticks to Snakes, and Cure Serious Wounds. He is the most adept at using a shield, being able to block many vertical attacks that the other characters cannot. - The DwarfDwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, dwarves are a humanoid race, one of the primary races available for play as player characters...
has short horizontal reach (but the best vertical reach), and he is the most powerful character in close combat thanks to his quick combo speed.
Ports
In 1999, Capcom released both D&D arcade games as a 2-disc compilation on the Sega SaturnSega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
called Dungeons & Dragons Collection
Dungeons & Dragons Collection
Dungeons & Dragons Collection is a 2-disc compilation of the previously released arcade games Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom and Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara. It was released in Japan on March 4, 1999 on the Sega Saturn....
in Japan. Dungeons & Dragons Collection was never released in the United States and Europe due to the Saturn's poor financial performance in both regions.
The ports had minor differences in gameplay, and also due to the limitations of the Saturn there is a maximum of two players instead of the original four.
See also
- List of Capcom games
- Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
- Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over MystaraDungeons & Dragons: Shadow over MystaraDungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara is an arcade game developed and published by Capcom in 1996 as a sequel to Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom. It was also released on the Sega Saturn, packaged with Tower of Doom, under the title Dungeons & Dragons Collection. The game is set in the Dungeons...
External links
- Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom Review at Allgame
- Game Help Editors' Picks Co-Op Games at IGN