Flash Game OTW – Tower of Heaven

Tower of Heaven is a flash game that I came across nearly two years ago. I remember thoroughly enjoying it, so I decided to load the game and play it for this week’s article. Almost immediately, when my ears were hit with the magical chiptune theme for Tower of Heaven, I knew I picked something good.

Tower of Heaven is one of those masochistic platformers that challenges you to navigate trap-filled rooms without dying. You will be avoiding pits, saws, spikes and more. When you die, and you will, you must start from the beginning of that room. This continues until you either reach that room’s stairway, or rage quit.

Luckily, the game’s character is responsive and easily controlled with just three keys; the arrow keys are used to move and space is used to jump. If you die, it will likely be on you. However, it isn’t quite that simple. You will also have to follow a set of rules to ensure you survive.

When you start the game you are greeted by a voice that gives you directions. After clearing a couple rooms under its direction, it gives you a Book of Laws. This book states a set of rules that you must follow; otherwise the voice will smite you.

These rules are a brilliant way of restricting your movement which will ultimately challenge you to approach the platforming differently. One rule will instruct you to not touch golden blocks. You guessed it; you will die when landing on a golden block. More rules get added as the game progress, but I will keep those a surprise. Ultimately, these rules add a nice twist to an otherwise standard platforming affair.

Tower of Heaven has a green and black aesthetic that is reminiscent of what you see in Game Boy games. This style is pulled off really well in Tower of Heaven and I couldn’t envision any other way. Lending to the retro vibe is the game’s chiptune soundtrack. Nothing screams retro quite like the combination of both these elements.

Tower of Heaven is a game that will frustrate you at times and have you admiring the stylistic design for the other half. Its unique Book of Laws element helps set it apart from games like Super Meat Boy and makes the challenge a little more fun. If you’re looking to waste 20 minutes of your time, Tower of Heaven would be a great way to do so.

 Play Tower of Heaven at Newgrounds

Robert Park

Commonly known as Parko, Robert created MiniFortress.com because he likes to play and write about video games. Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda and No More Heroes are just some of his favorites. He also enjoys dodging enemy fire on 24/7 Dustbowl servers.

Also enjoys Movies, TV, Wrestling, Coffee and Beer.