The Immortal (NES) James & Mike Mondays

James Rolfe and Mike Matei play The Immortal for NES
Twitter James ✜ / cinemassacre
Read Mike’s Blog ✜ www.mikematei.blog #retro #retrogaming #nes #snes #jamesrolfe #mikematei #atari #playthrough #gameplay #gamereview

[@Heiach]

I've never played his game but when you held the amulet up to the light, it said you were incinerated. You weren't teleported to the previous room, you died and restarted there.

Yeah, that's the novice's trap

[@Lumbersnacks82]

He stood on the spot that said "I would move if I were you" then thought it was ridiculous that he died when he didn't move.

[@wickheadthered]

Heiach thanks to point that out im sure they haven't figure it out yet XD

[@Heiach]

That did confuse me why he thought that..

[@IvanTorresBntz]

YES!! Finally someone saw that. Jesus Christ! It was irritating that they couldn't understand things that were really clrear hahaha Like the fact why "sometimes it takes to the other room and sometimes restart the whole level". It's because they die! And sometimes they got more lives and sometimes it's the last one. Damn, son.

[@Untouchaable]

I like how you guys were using a Nintendo Power to play this in 2017. Keeping it old school.

[@tonyb2591]

Takes me back when I used to do that.

[@Chaosxinc]

Sometimes you just gotta go with what works, lol.

[@phabi0]

I wouldn't call picking up your smartphone and looking up a walkthrough on the web "keeping it old school"!

[@1573ryan]

LOL

[@arcticridge]

while you watch two people play a game on the internet

[@Holy_Zen]

Incinerated (adj): Burned to ash. Reduced to cinders. It does not mean "warped".

[@handsomebrick]

@@reoire843 it's a past participle.

[@umachan9286]

I remember this game on the Genesis. It was advertised as the bloodiest game out there with over 100 different death animations.

[@adamb89]

I might be misremembering but I seem to recall being able to escape from those pit traps by mashing buttons. Like if you can button mash fast enough you could climb back out before your staff breaks. Update: After the responses below convinced me I wasn't crazy, I went and played this game again to test it out. You can escape from pit traps by pressing B rapidly at a steady pace. You don't want to randomly mash, you just need to press B quickly and evenly, 3 or 4 times per second. Easily doable with thumb power, no turbo required.

[@rogergurman1570]

Yep, that is accurate, although having played the game a dozen times I only managed that once... So it's gotta be ALMOST impossible.

[@Games_and_Music]

That's what i thought as well, although i have never played the game. But he hangs from his walking stick a bit too long for it to be a "Death animation", it looked as if there was a chance to stay alive.

[@adamb89]

Hah! Confirmed! I pulled out my old copy and figured out how to do it reliably. You just have to press B rapidly like about 3 times per second. I was able to climb out of a pit trap every time once I got the timing down.

[@rogergurman1570]

Adam B Shit! I always concentrated on tapping directional buttons, mostly "up". So only B and nothing else?

[@rogergurman1570]

+allluckyseven Strange, in all my years of playing The Immortal on Genesis I only managed to climb out of the hole once. I'll have to start my emulator and check it out right now!

[@carlosgirardot7566]

Looks like a difficult as fuck game. Mike, you complete it. James, you AVGN it, and all will be right with the universe.

[@rogergurman1570]

I don't think AVGNing it would be possible, because if James went into depths with this game he'd soon realize it is actually a pretty good game. The thing with it is that it's meant for adults, not kids. It has both the pace and storyline of an older Ultima game, not something of a Sonic or Mario kind.

[@emcee9899]

I beat this game when I was 12. It is absolutely hard, but not impossible.

[@DanoLefourbe]

It's not good. Exploration is based on trial and error. Combat is a mess. There's almost no rule to learn. each situation needs to be learned by heart. Some people went through it at the time because they had 2 new games to do each year. Doesn't means it's good. The design is complete garbage, even by the standards of its time.

[@jad3415]

Dano Combat is NOT a mess. Once you understand the mechanics it's surprisingly simple. Took me 2 fights to understand how it worked.

[@emcee9899]

J A D combat is actually really enjoyable and rewarding once you get the hang of it.

[@Iceytruth]

The bit when James says "watch this" and just walks down a hole had me in stitches.

[@Wakkeer]

"The wizard and everything in the room are incinerated instantly", "That's good!". I burst out laughing especially after they died and though they did things right. For some reason this game seem kind of fun actually.

[@kiedd1]

As one of the few who have managed to finish this game, watching you guys bumble around was truly hilarious! Here are some tips, by the way. A)The red bar in the combat scene is fatigue. As it goes up, your attacks get slower. B) Reading the rune on the amulet is instant death. This plays out in the final scene. I won't spoil it, though. C) Don't just jump into a hole because you see a ladder. You have to approach it from the proper direction. This game is not exactly forgiving. Anyway, keep up the good work.

[@mokthemagicman]

At 23:52 you did it correctly to leave the level but you have to crawl down the ladder on the correct side. James tried to go down the hole from the right and fell down the hole and died. If he would have gone to the same side the ladder was on he would have seen the climb down ladder animation and went to the next level where there is a check point. Mike need to try to finish this game.

[@NigzBlackman]

Its just awful not worth the effort lol

[@dr.lemonade242]

It would probably be better as an AVGN video anyway.

[@yusukeelric]

This is what AVGN would call "where the fuck do i go" kind of game. Don't play it without a guide. and once you finish it DON'T touch it again. I played the Genesis version and i only needed a guide twice. one during the spider parts, and the second to beat the final boss. I don't know if the NES version is harder, but the genesis version is way cooler because it's pretty violent. violence in an early 90's game is always a pro.

[@megaton_a]

Yeah... this game is hard and cheap as hell, but they were being dumb. "The wizard and everything in the room are incinerated" "Okay cool!!" No, you died. You went back to the previous room because you died. The game ended because you died and were out of continues.

[@TheOmildlyOinformed]

Yeah they never seem to read... I love a lot of their stuff but when they are dumb they are terrible.

[@Nicholas_Steel]

MIke: You got to go up in that room. James: *Goes straight down* MIke: You got to go up in that room. James: *Goes straight down* MIke: You got to go up in that room. James: *Goes straight down*

[@napowolf]

Haha, I guess he always forgot about it when he gets to the room.

[@fayezfawzi3255]

exactly my thought lol XD

[@fluffstuffpootiebean1688]

Or they’re fucking baked out of their minds. That’s my guess. Cause I’ve done similar things.

[@RunDAZ]

I had this for Sega Genesis and remember being blown away by the animations and graphic death scenes. I'd finished it back in the day through sheer trial and error and recall being really frustrated by the game, but I loved it.

[@erainmartinez8175]

I know right?

[@PaulSchlock]

Why are they so baffled that they died from reading the incantation?

[@feroxkyle]

Paul Schlock not sure when it says everything in the room is incinerated after they read it NOT telepprted like they seem to think for some reason. Hard game + Player unwilling to learn = THIS GAME IS SHIT

[@WhamBamBoozler]

Yeah it was frustrating watching them refuse to learn...

[@VideoGameVictims]

Don't be frustrated from watching them refuse to learn, be amused by it. It's 100% the point of watching James & Mike Mondays.

[@VideoGameVictims]

They are baffled because they either don't read the text explanations that occur during the game, or they read them quickly and don't actually absorb what the text is conveying. These two are meant for action / plat-former games, not anything cerebral or requiring of an attention span. Enjoy the show.

[@Femaiden]

IKR...like somewhere in the middle, that's literally what James did. He's reading some text and he says "in the room with the dark, there are shadows...and ...aww fuck it, it's probably not important..."

[@MechaMan2012]

"The wizard and everything else in the room was instantly incinerated." As other people have said, that is very clearly a game over.

[@not_a_frog]

dont think the meaning of incinerated was clear to them :P

[@nowonmetube]

Wtf people in the comments?? Even if it says "incinerated" that's just bad game design. Couldn't it have killed every one in the room except for the wizard? I mean, that he restarts in a room is part of the gameplay. But when you die in a story you die. Is it part of the lore, that when the wizard dies, he literally revives in the previous room? Geez

[@COOPSTOP]

17:00

[@TheNathanlockhart]

nowonmetube yeah, that’s how video games that give you more than one life work...

[@thestwinner680]

@@nowonmetube LMAO after *everything in the room along with YOU got INCINERATED,* meaning you all burst into scorching flame and burned to a CRISP, it read: *PREPARE TO CONTINUE* - JUST LIKE *EVERY OTHER TIME YOU **_DIE!_*

[@MasterZebulin]

It doesn't suck. It's just a solo D&D game ran by one of the most sadistic fucking DMs in existence.

[@razzyrazberries]

/takes one step in the room DM: Make a reflex save /fails /falls in pit and dies

[@ChristopherMcLarenExperience]

I think the most epic thing in the universe as you say would be to watch you guys complete this whole thing, as content that would be ridiculous. I'd be there with my 8 buckets of popcorn.

[@drcidd8153]

Guys, incinerated means burnt to a crisp. Using the amulet on the staff kills you and everything else in the room.

[@Lumbersnacks82]

It's a novice trap and 12 year old me only fell for it once. This isn't an action game and if you want to get anywhere you gotta be able to read.

[@superbro9576]

DJReiko lol seriously! for fuck's sake, boys

[@alexl.4362]

IamI3rian it's actually coming from the walls.

[@donstarlancer]

That was the best part of the video. I laughed so hard that they missed that it burned them to a crisp.

[@johncaedus3376]

@@shouryuuken4147 don't be such a snowflake gamer dude

[@fatbeen]

The wizard is incinerated instantly. "WE TELEPORTED"

[@agiuggio1]

the wizard is incinerated, prepare to continue. oh we must be on level 2. what lead you to believe that? (it didn't transport you, it killed you).

[@khojo2579]

agiuggio1 yea ikr, I'm a big fan, but I have to admit James is so bad with games. Mike is a much better player one.

[@SiGhast]

Khojo That wasn't really a gameplay thing though, and Mike was sitting right there and he didn't catch it either!

[@nowonmetube]

Wtf people in the comments?? Even if it says "incinerated" that's just bad game design. Couldn't it have killed every one in the room except for the wizard? I mean, that he restarts in a room is part of the gameplay. But when you die in a story you die. Is it part of the lore, that when the wizard dies, he literally revives in the previous room? Geez Edit: They know this already 23:05

[@nowonmetube]

@@TheWesterlyWarlock They know this already 23:05

[@TallSilentGuy]

Well if the game gives you infinite continues then "killed" and "transported" would amount to the same thing. Why are people quibbling over such stupid shit?

[@ItsJustMilkISwear]

"the wizard is incinerated" "that's good!" no, i don't think it was good.

[@FedorovAvtomat]

This game has a VERY specific way to play it. The decisions and things you have to do are similar to what you would encounter in a point and click adventure. If you don't play it the way it wants you to play it, this game is going to be a miserable experience. Even if you know what to do, this game is still friggin tough.

[@yadabub]

Are there cues that you can learn for all of the different traps, or is it just a case of "don't go there, I died last time?" If there are cues, I can see how you could enjoy this game. If it's just trial and error, I'm not sure how it would be enjoyable. Most of the "I beat the game" comments say that they were following a guide to do so, even back in the day. That alone makes this sound like a really frustrating game. The graphics are nice though. :-P

[@FedorovAvtomat]

There are very loose clues. So basically you run around in the game knowing what you need to do and then trial and error to get desired result.

[@AnchoriteXIII]

Mike needs to beat this game on livestream

[@spakattack]

I'd love to see this!

[@WampaStompa1996]

That would be awesome! :D

[@Lumbersnacks82]

If he does, I hope he plays the genesis version.

[@phabi0]

Hell yeah

[@jond5830]

Oh. Hey. Yes.

[@ZDWario]

Fall in hole, wizard catches himself, they tap A and the wizard's legs come up in an attempt to climb out, they give up and fall.

[@bubbanotloc9918]

Thank you so much for playing this game! as a kid I could never even get passed the second room. Brought back a lot of frustrating memories trying to figure this game out as a child. Good to know I wasn't alone

[@lukejamesbgn]

Man oh man...I remember renting this game when I was 7 or 8 and I could not do ANYTHING with it. My whole weekend was ruined! This was one of those games where you couldn't even play it if you didn't have some sort of guide.

[@Disthron]

Did you read the instruction manual?

[@watermelonmonsterman6027]

Ever see a kid that doesn't even know what Chess is try to play Battle Chess?

[@jmcpartland01]

It "runed" your weekend?

[@Hotrian]

@Disthron I don't know about you, but my local rental stores didn't include any manuals or keep any on the shelves. If we were lucky they actually put the box up on the shelves, but usually it was a generic case with a printed insert displaying the name of the game on top the rental store's logo.

[@brandongreen2345]

I was actually 5 or 6 when I played this. And I beat it. It's still one of those games I mention as being one of my favorites. I'm tempted to do a video playing this.

[@GameGameHeaven]

You should play the Genesis version.

[@hawwy1987]

Those kill animations were brutal XD

[@ztoxtube]

The violence was sweet but the music on the NES version was a lot better.

[@millgiass]

Agreed.

[@abysmalvsmarcus]

TheScottReilly I thought they had one for the Genesis. Thank you.

[@alexl.4362]

Azriel87 The Android version is Best.

[@RaceToNowhere]

I remember this to be great on Genesis, one of the most significant steps towards the Diablo formula, after Gauntlet and Dark Chambers. It's not a weekend game for sure.

[@rogergurman1570]

Funny you should mention Diablo, because I had similar associations back in the day. By the way, the "real" Diablo game for Genesis is "Fatal Labyrinth". Check it out if you haven't done it yet.

[@Lumbersnacks82]

This game is a project, they had no idea what they were getting themselves into when they put this game in.

[@RaceToNowhere]

Fatal Labyrinth was closer to Diablo, but aesthetically adapted to japanese super deformed sensitivity. Light Crusader was a genre defining game as well. Genesis was such a gorgeous machine.

[@alexl.4362]

RaceToNowhere Gauntlet Rules.

[@handsomebrick]

Diablo was inspired by roguelikes, this game isn't really related.

[@TheJamesShow00]

James and Mike didn't like the game, but it did get fairly good reviews from a lot of sources. It was not really a "little kid" game. Deffinatly geared towards an older group that liked games like zork and shadowgate.

[@kekeke8988]

Shadowgate was full of cheap deaths also.

[@MaelstromGuy]

You should check a playthrough on KZbin its very entertaining like a DnD sesion

[@linkinparkrulz2275]

It's not the worst game ever but it's still trial and error in the worst way possible.

[@istarion5241]

I remember playing this game a bit when I was young but I played it on the genesis. The genesis version was much better and it has blood/gore in the fight scenes

[@LeoCharles]

"imagine beating the 7 levels?" What do you mean? YOU GOTTA DO IT!! please!! Lol this video was exciting n fun to watch lol

[@thattonnatoguywithafez8246]

8 in some versions

[@nobody8717]

won't ever happen with that lvl 1 certificate. they missed some required items in that run lol

[@MeatPlanet]

no body wtf required items?

[@DinosaurSatan]

It is oldschool unforgiving dungeon crawling. IIRC you actually can go back up floors if you miss stuff, at least until you fall into the whirlpool level.

[@alexl.4362]

Leo Charles Yes...Do it Mike.

[@Joker341Plays]

We demand a stream of the entire game, or as much as you can get through, at least! This was absolutely amazing to watch, actual tension was felt and it's incredibly fun. I hope you come back to this game at one point!

[@Hezkore]

The pits aren't insta-death, you can struggle out of them!

[@justinfaulcon9498]

If you haven’t noticed, they are idiots 😂

[@Phoenix7786]

When they don't read or pay attention it's so frustrating I can't even finish.

[@VideoGameVictims]

Which video are you referring to Laurelindo? It can't be this one unless you watched it in the same manner that James and Mike "play" Immortal for NES.

[@BaconSenpai]

That's the great thing about youtube, if you don't like a video you don't have to watch it, it's a wacky and crazy concept, I know.

[@gator36]

When you read the runes on the amulet, you killed yourself. You get 3 lives, I believe. Gotta love the deathtrap RPG's. Also, the red bar during combat is fatigue. The higher it is, the slower you attack and dodge.

[@kimbaptempura4073]

Yeah, but things were different back then, we used to get into this shit and make our own maps, and notes as we played.

[@kristinaneuner7058]

in·cin·er·ate inˈsinəˌrāt/ verb destroy (something, especially waste material) by burning.

[@rogergurman1570]

Hey, are you German?

[@thegreathadoken6808]

Roger Gurman Are you a Gurman?

[@rogergurman1570]

The Great Hadoken I am. How did you know?

[@thegreathadoken6808]

Roger Gurman just a hunch, I guess...

[@skijumpnose]

I didn't know this game was on the NES,the Genesis version is cool

[@emcee9899]

skijumpnose didn't know it was on Genesis! Huh.

[@draskang]

yeah they def should have played the Gen version.. has gory fatalities

[@emcee9899]

Draskang no kidding? I'm gonna have to check that version out.

[@KTF0]

The music is terrible for the Genesis

[@Lumbersnacks82]

the genesis music is much better than the nes music

[@jasonarmstrong5750]

It doesn't seem like a bad game, it just seems really unforgiving

[@jasonarmstrong5750]

Gunnar Hansen they tend to be right on certain ones but this is just one I don’t trust them on, I mean saying this is worse than E.T. Is really a stretch.

[@windflier1684]

There are differences between unforgiving and unfair. Like most of darksouls is unforgiving but fair, and there is BOC in darksouls 1 which is BS and unfair

[@loganross1861]

@@windflier1684 what is BOC?

[@realtsarbomba]

@@loganross1861 Blue Oyster Cult, the famous Rock'n'Roll group

[@yusukeelric]

The very beginning of the game gives you tips of how it operates. the lesson is "READ THE TEXT" If the game tells you not to step in a certain place, you don't step in a certain place, if the game says "you better not read the incantations", You better don't. It's just a matter of paying attention.

[@vejit]

I'm always amazed how you two can beat really hard games and yet sometimes you can't understand something really simple. If that happens, I'm always sitting in my chair watching and I want to shout out the obvious answer to your problem XD

[@rogergurman1570]

Reading the incantation doesn't teleport you - it just outright kills you and everyone in the vicinity.

[@lilliputmoss]

Imagine these guys trying to play classic RPG's like Ultima, they'd have a brain aneurysm.

[@MogofWar]

Equalizing Distort To be fair Ultima is a lot more playable than The Immortal.

[@TheHordeQ]

Ugh no it isn't. Exponentially less inventory, puzzles, and paths to take in Immortal. It's a really easy game tbh. Sure it's cryptic.. but the confusion involves like 6 items with 2 options and 7 floors...not exactly a spanning tree of possibilities.

[@kekeke8988]

Imagine them trying to play Wizardry IV!

[@handsomebrick]

@@kekeke8988 Imagine anyone trying to play Wizardry IV!

[@GEhotpants101]

"There's a dragon at the end of Dragon's Lair too" "Well I would hope so, it's DRAGON'S LAIR" I'm dead.

[@matthewsan78]

Should have gone with the Genesis version.

[@bigsweaty8088]

I liked this game enough to beat it 5 years ago. It's not that it's bad, it's just hard as hell and you gotta be into it. Good game to get lost into. The part when you're in a barrel or whatever in the water was one of the most difficult things I ever encountered in a video game.

[@donstarlancer]

Now this would make for an interesting remake. Nothing AAA but just something with more modern sensibilities

[@Partisianmoon]

I can't believe they never figured out how to rock back and forth to get out of the pit traps, they aren't instant death.

[@dogcatmouse23]

I remember being like 12 years old and I got really far in the game when I rented this at Pharmor. How can't these 2 get anywhere. I didn't even use NIntendo Power either and I suck at games.

[@WampaStompa1996]

You guys should definitely play the Genesis version of this game. It is far superior compared to the NES version. It's got way better graphics and it's one of those Genesis games that has blood in it.

[@thegreathadoken6808]

Wampa Stompa1 yaaaay, graphics and blood! Kinda like the 16 bit version of boogers and cum!

[@WampaStompa1996]

That seems to be a common thing with Nintendo and Sega's ports. Nintendo usually has better music, but the graphics suck, and Sega usually has better graphics, but the music sucks. A good example of what I'm talking about is the SNES and Sega version of Doom.

[@thegreathadoken6808]

Wampa Stompa1 Yeah, I have to wonder what the hell the megadrive sound chip even fucking was, tbh. AVGN should do a whole series just on the terrible music produced by that monstrosity. You had to be a hell of a composer to make it not sound like hell. Chris Hülsbeck was one such man. Yuzo Koshiro, another. But both did so much better with the SNES and Hülsbeck made the Amiga sing.

[@WampaStompa1996]

I would totally watch that dude :D

[@fernandolemon9204]

That isn't saying much, the music in the NES version was also pretty crappy.

[@natp8387]

You know, if you guys would read some of the text you'd understand more of what's going on, like when you read the runes it flat out says it incinerated you and everything. It might not have surprised you when you showed up at the start had you read that lol.

[@CapnHolic]

Or when it says the torch illuminates the room, and yet keeping walking into the same pits in the dark.

[@rezterralico4369]

@@CapnHolic If they downloaded the instruction booklet it tells you how to get out of the pit traps. Can't wait to play more of it on the switch. Playing hybrid heaven on the hardest mode. Fun N64 title.

[@2HeadedHero]

This game's frustrating, cryptic and obnoxious in design. I. Friggin. Love. It. The Immortal is more of an adventure game at its core, and a really unique design that combines level memorization with some basic inventory puzzles and combat. Completely different in comparison to most of the NES fare for that era.

[@nureyevhaas956]

"Do you know what a rune is?" - Mike 2017

[@MajorDoggo]

Never have I ever wanted you two to finish a game more in my life.

[@sporedoutofmymind]

>game's called "The Immortal" >die every time you so much as sneeze

[@phaolo6]

+Bulliwyf It's simple: you're not him..

[@NefariousWes]

'The Immortal' is the wizard you are sent in to rescue.

[@thegreathadoken6808]

Yeah, but how do you explain coming back to life and trying again? Huh?! HUH?!

[@phaolo6]

+The Great Hadoken Hehe, then every videogame's main character is an immortal :P _(even if it dies at the end, because you could always restart)_

[@thegreathadoken6808]

Paul Sde oh yeah?! Well...well...well...what if the cartridge breaks?! Huuuhh?!

[@ninedragons1]

OMG, watching you guys play this game was painful. I have this game both on NES and SEGA Genesis and I beat the fuck out it. It's one of my favorites with great music and graphics.

[@rogergurman1570]

Great music, graphics AND story. I mean, for a 8-16 bit game the story is extremely elaborate, adult and unpredictable. I doubt new players could ever suspect who the real bad guy of the story was, or that the "apparent" antagonist is actually an unbeatable, mislead and confused creature that backs off as soon as it learns what's really going on. Brilliant game.

[@ninedragons1]

I don't know, I mean I was a little kid when I finished this game. It can't be that hard. As an adult I call this more of a puzzle or riddle game than an action adventure. Or action puzzle game. LOL. What did you think of the 2 added levels in the Sega version? Remember the ad campaign they had for it. "How will you die?" Heck, if I could I'd take all sprites and make it into an action RPG.

[@rogergurman1570]

Sega Genesis version is the only version I played (and beat). I think it's mostly an adventure game, especially since puzzles are often an element of many adventure games. "Heck, if I could I'd take all sprites and make it into an action RPG" Why bother? Just go to gog site and buy "Nox" for PC. It costs like $3 and is an overseen gem from the 2000. As fine an isometric action RPG as they get.

[@skadrumsandwich7415]

The most frustrating part is that you can pull yourself out of the holes by tapping A.....they just fell and died every single fucking time....

[@nowonmetube]

This game is shit

[@av_79]

The science fiction writer Mike mentioned: Harlan Ellison.

[@MurasakiBunny]

They don't realize, when you put the amulet to the light and if you READ THE INSCRIPTION it kills you.

[@rogergurman1570]

Actually, you can read the inscription at any moment anywhere in the game - to the same effect, however.

[@robbylindamood5779]

Watched my uncle play this when I was much younger on the genesis. The exploding heads and slicing enemies in half ended up giving a probably about 5 year old me nightmares. Later played it myself in my twenties, game is great actually, its a puzzle/adventure game more than an action game. I'd say the controls are pretty goofy but the game isn't nearly as bad as you're making it out to be.

[@1129BAMF]

Someone doesn't know what incinerated means. Thanks for the laughs, guys.

[@Corad4]

This was frustrating to watch since you didn't pay attention to what the game told and kept repeating the same mistakes.

[@Shiirow]

they have been spoiled by todays games that hold your hand and have forgotten the lessons of the past.

[@lennydale92]

Pat I know, how many times must it say that everything is incinerated before it sinks in lol

[@DS-er4ng]

Ylze Tyr Yes. So frustrating!

[@EnergonCubed]

Agreed. They had the attention span of a toddler in a toy store. Not sure why they just didn't actually try to figure out anything as opposed to just blindly running forward and then just constant button mashing. This is a great game and was very ambitious for its time.

[@swall185]

They thought the Shades were bats!

[@fanispatitsas2192]

WTF part of "the WIZARD and everyone else in the room is INCINERATED" don't you guys get????

[@santiagocapellan3245]

Exactly!

[@planescaped]

Mike was clearly done with the game and not paying any attention by that point, and James gets tunnel vision when he's frustrated. That is why.

[@nowonmetube]

Wtf people in the comments?? Even if it says "incinerated" that's just bad game design. Couldn't it have killed every one in the room except for the wizard? I mean, that he restarts in a room is part of the gameplay. But when you die in a story you die. Is it part of the lore, that when the wizard dies, he literally revives in the previous room? Geez

[@sinni800]

Well the "do you want to continue" gave it away"

[@thestwinner680]

@@planescaped What does "tunnel vision" have to do with understanding what he CLEARLY read out loud to everyone? It's called _comprehension..._ :P

[@Baalslegion07]

This seems like a game that isn't really bad, just unforgiving and a bit cheap with some of the traps. Kinda like d&ds tomb of horrors.

[@S_Evenwar]

This is a puzzle game that you are treating like an adventure game. Every item matters. Where you stand and use an item matters.

[@videostash413]

Wrong.

[@richierich6389]

Something I always seem to find hilarious is how Mike is always like trying to get James talk about game mechanics but James is like "Uhuu.. Uhuu.. .. .. I dont know actually"

[@roguerifter9724]

I remember beating this when I was ten... after playing it regularly for almost four years.

[@invisusmachina]

Genesis version was better, and very graphically violent.

[@livin4life]

Yes, agree. The Genesis version is what I remember. It was awesome for its time!

[@ishmaelhallin8041]

Guys, ouch! It was painful watching you play this. This is for sure a very flawed game, but it's also a game of experimentation, trial and error, and learning from your mistakes. I used to play this on my Amiga all the time, and although the game is frustrating in the extreme, it's very beatable if you pay attention to what you're doing and note what works and what doesn't in each room. Super frustrating to be sure, but there's also a fair bit of satisfaction to be gained from mastering each level and solving the (rather cryptic) puzzles. The game also has a very nice amount of variety for the time, with really cool animations and each level presenting new and unique challenges. I definitely recommend playing the Amiga version over this one, since it's also SUPER GORY in a way that Nintendo never would have allowed back in the day. :)

[@cyberiusdei2496]

This was one of the best episodes! Would love to see the whole thing!)

[@markshadows3667]

I've been wanting to see you guys play this for a long time! I love this game.

[@rolandoperalta9745]

This is game IS GOOD. It had fatalies, it had good graphics for the times, it was a real challenge, and it had a good story, bosses and puzzles. Was it imposible to beat? almost... But good game... . You guys failed to even try to understand the fighitng system, wich wasn't bad at all. But yea... it is a game worth mfor Mike Playing and james to AVGN it.

[@elliotbjorksdottir2878]

Conclusion: -Mike needs to beat this on stream. -AVGN needs to review it.

[@wickheadthered]

Elliot MacCyberzon I think that would make a perfect AVGN episode

[@fayezfawzi3255]

this was HILARIOUS lol. I quite like this game,and i REALLY want a part two of this video where they go deeper and deeper into the game! in fact,make it 7 parts,one for each level,until they complete it XD

[@Zim85]

We had this game as a kid. Even my older brothers couldn't understand it fully. Crazy game.

[@johnvrecenar9076]

>the wizard was incinerated instantly DON'T DO IT AGAIN

[@PositronPlays]

This is one of those old games that's awesome to see completed in its crypticness, as there's a lot of interesting ideas present, but is completely impossible to play

[@rogergurman1570]

That is not true, I finished it while in my teens (well, Sega Genesis version and with a guide, because I didn't speak English back then).

[@brandongreen2345]

I beat this at age 5 or 6. It's not as hard as people make it out to be but it is pretty difficult. It's just a lot of puzzles. Also, a lot of things can be avoided but KZbinrs seem to make the same mistakes over and over

[@lilliputmoss]

It's not that difficult, it's just that a lot of NES owners weren't used to complex games. This wasn't suited to the console, it's more of a PC or Amiga style game.

[@dontegraves5051]

Like Tower of Druaga outside of the arcade.

[@Desertskunk]

Entirely untrue, it's a good game, just hard to grasp the mechanics. Once you do, it's an entirely different beast, unlike anything else on the NES at the time. I beat it, and I'll brag that I did it without a guide! ^_^. It's essentially a big puzzle game. Only thing I hate...are the stupid bats

[@Moonbeam143]

This game is like one of those paintings you see on a side of a van, but the van is on the side of a highway in flames.

[@dorpth]

The sound of thousands of voices shouting out, "Tap the button to pull yourself out of the pit!" and "Use fireballs to light the torches!"

[@lazeroussdomain5862]

Dude the text said, "you and everything in the room are incinerated". Being incinerated is generally bad for your health

[@mediaFakes]

Try Sega version, it's so much better.

[@MrJNtheman]

Maybe because GENESIS IS 16 BIT WHEREAS NES IS 8 BIT. Just a guess. Or, you could see videos of both versions for yourself.

[@JuicyPlayer]

The music in the Sega version sucks though

[@ztoxtube]

The NES version is the same game, minus blood, with much better music.

[@yusukeelric]

Better animations. lots of violence, better music.

[@yusukeelric]

Also if you PAY ATTENTION to the TEXT you may even complete the game. Who knows? Those two would never complete Sam and Max or Maniac Mansion.

[@Dresdenstl]

I really miss this kind of mysticism heavy classic fantasy setting.

[@timothyveigel9889]

The definition of insanity is repeating the same process expecting different results.

[@nikmidclayton5933]

Timothy Veigel I was going to write this exact comment.

[@rogergurman1570]

Ha ha, James and Mike just got Einsteined.

[@rogergurman1570]

IamI3rian Well, I be damned!

[@ilovemakingcatgirlscry7574]

@@iami3rian394 Vaas did though

[@nowonmetube]

Or Alzheimers

[@Untouchaable]

The look reminds me of Solstice (NES)

[@IntimateGamer]

Intimidation I was thinking the same

[@ztoxtube]

The amazing soundtrack, isometric view and challenging puzzles. Yeah definitely similar to Solstice.

[@jamierose9095]

Not really tho, Solstice didn't suck. XD

[@Linus89]

Yeah, like a mix of Solstice (isometric perspective) and Shadowgate (random unavoidable deaths)

[@RetroDeath]

Don't even mention that masterpiece in the same sentence as this trash.

[@mole28]

You should try the Genesis version, it has much more gory battle scenes with exploding heads and stuff. Still a very difficult game though

[@Yoyomo124]

God that "prepare to continue..." music was an audio overload for me hahaha it's so intense and in your face

[@walterribeiro5224]

I played this game when I was a kid and for many years I tried to remember its name. Thank you guys

[@ManEaterBrainBug]

This game looks like if an old defensless man stumbled into Dark Souls...

[@DarthKato]

lol

[@wh173]

Dark souls isnt bad, people have played it using bananas. James in Mike arent very bright when it comes to new experiences. "you were incinerated, want to continue?" "hey were in lvl 2!" seriously.

[@nikmidclayton5933]

I miss hard games, people need to put their big boy pants on these days.

[@Xetelian]

Hard games are constantly coming out and everyone has a different definition of hard. A professional speed-runner can make even Battlekid or Dark Souls look easy.

[@agonleed3841]

Kevin McGuin hard games are NOT constantly coming out. They are purposely making the game on an easier curve....which has been proven by game makers themselves. And has been a thing since the talk of difficulty in 360 games.

[@HotTeaWithCookies]

This was too hilarious watching you guys. Thank you for this :)

[@jon9274]

I remember this game as a kid, great osts

[@manidoublej]

i laughed my german ass off. especially jamess reaction with the cert at the end. he for a second thought he was a child again and not recording.

[@omikronweapon]

to be fair, I'm pretty sure he recorded stuff even back then. Not sure how often though. Didnt he even make some sort of Mario 2 review/walkthrough thing? At least the Megaman stuff with the glitched boss, although that might have been later in his life.

[@geovani60624]

27:04 the most legit FUCK i've heard from James in a long time

[@auritone]

Played this on the Amiga and it was awesome. You had to be careful and think. Can't speak for the Nes version, though... but there were a lot of things you simply failed to understand... Oh, and there is a reason his stick holds him up when you fall in the hole. You can get out.

[@uokutopa]

This game went right over your heads.

[@TwoSonsStrong]

LOL!!! I was a little kid when I played this game, and I was better at it than you are now. Reading the incantation says "incinerated". How many times did you have to read that and still need the help?

[@ThatFanBoyGuy]

James: "It's one of the worst games I've ever played" So 22 months later, James hands it off to the Nerd

[@rezterralico4369]

Now included with the Nintendo switch subscription.

[@Shadowlord1980]

Monday fun! Never heard this game until now. You should play more this game. Dang! Where is popcorn, when needed!

[@tonyvillarreal1812]

This game was ahead of its time. Graphics. Sound. Game play. And NOT impossible. You don't need a clue book. Just alot of patience. Reading 'choose your own adventure' books. Playing text games like Zork. And growing up in the 80s. Puzzles is what todays games lack. All i see is hack n' slash anymore. Not brain teasers. How dull. MIKE!!! You should bring out- Shadowgate, Deja vu, and Uninvited. Lets see how you handle those babies. And to hear James whine. Lol

[@rogergurman1570]

Hear, hear!

[@SexycuteStudios]

MMmmmmmm Shadowgate

[@LadyCoyKoi]

That is why I love the Legend of Zelda games. They had puzzles to solve (every Zelda game ever) and rebuilding two worlds (Twilight Princess). Watching Mike play BOTW was uber painful! :( Nothing personal to the guy, but he sucks at the new Zelda games.

[@RetroDeath]

It's not a puzzle whenhaving to choose not to act be the actual right choice.

[@santiagocapellan3245]

Deja vu... That brings me great memories... I beat it up without a guide.

[@kiaelinkx]

I love avgn and mike but really? The amount of time I shouted: “why would you do that!!” It’s unreal haha xD like the solution was right there in front of you most of the time but you guys rush it like mad. But to be honest this is why we love you 8,)

[@thewave-qz9lt]

i wish james and mike played a tekken game for james e mike mondays.

[@taterboob]

This is one of those "Oh wow, that DID actually exist" games that I had vague memories of playing as a kid, and having no idea what I was doing. I just had this blurry image in my head of Gandalf being eaten by a sandworm.

[@childofthesun32]

Christmas Time is the best time to watch Cinemassacre.