In this video I begin by showing the entire game (including the hidden /”coffee pot/” easter egg) with the good ending. The bad ending that’s triggered by not returning Ana’s ring is shown at 43:26, and you’ll find a compilation of the death animations at 44:33.
The Immortal is a game that I thoroughly loved as a kid. It made me rage so hard at times, but it was such a cool departure from the usual NES adventures that I couldn’t help but come back to it over and over again.
You play as a nameless, long-bearded wizard who has arrived at the ruins of an ancient city in search of his teacher, Mordamir. You suspect he has ventured into the sprawling labyrinth that lies beneath the city, and so, upon finding the entrance, you descend into the darkness.
The labyrinth runs seven levels deep and you’ll have to comb every bit of it for clues to Mordamir’s whereabouts, but it’s immediately clear that your presence is not a welcome one. The place is filled with hungry, violent creatures and a gruesome array of lethal traps. Death is never more than a couple steps away.
Seriously. The Immortal revels in killing you again and again, and it does so with a surprising amount of graphic violence for an NES game. Beautifully detailed, lavishly animated depictions of graphic violence.
Most of The Immortal revolves around exploration and puzzle-solving, and though the levels are small, self-contained areas, you’re often given a fair bit of choice in how to approach a situation. You can brute force your way through most encounters, but there are plenty of times where that won’t be your best option.
The game is probably best known for its difficulty level. It is a tough game to figure out, but I think it’s a lot more forgiving than people give it credit for. You’re given three lives at the start of each level and there’s a password system so you get as many tries as you need in order to figure things out, and since the stages are so short, death doesn’t ever cost more than a few minutes of progress. It certainly has its hair-pulling moments though – that magic carpet makes me want to scream sometimes.
The Immortal always stuck out to me for its tone. The dream sequences, the displays of violence, and the heavy, oppresive atmosphere give it a subdued horror vibe, and the presentation absolutely nails it. I honestly don’t know how this doesn’t show up on /”most impressive NES games/” lists, because this is one of the system’s few titles that _almost_ blur the line between 8 and 16-bit.
Just check out all of those super fluid, unique one-shot animations! The elf disappearing into a spinning wall, Ana hugging the old man, the troll torturing Dunric – they all impress, as do the huge characters in the fight scenes and, of course, the dragon.
The music was handled by C64 legend Ron Hubbard, and he certainly doesn’t disappoint here. The soundtrack manages to be an unsettling mix of fantasy cues with dissonant ambient noise… not something you’d expect from PSG music, but it’s an excellent fit with visuals. The digitized screams are also a nice touch.
If you’re looking for a creepy NES game to get you into the Halloween spirit, The Immortal is an excellent pick.
_____________
No cheats were used during the recording of this video.
NintendoComplete (http://www.nintendocomplete.com/) punches you in the face with in-depth reviews, screenshot archives, and music from classic 8-bit NES games!
Take the opportunity to connect and share this video with your friends and family if you find it useful.
No Comments