Secret Scout in the Temple of Demise
System: NES
Release Date: 1991
Developer: Roger Deforest
Publisher: Color Dreams
Genre: Action
You need to break the deadly grip on the jungle in Secret Scout in the Temple of Demise! Separated from the rest of your troops, you’re alone. The rescue force? Agents of Dr. Demise. It’s up to you to search the ruins of an ancient temple to defeat your enemies and move about your day. Will you be able to make your way through the temple and save the day?
You don’t know what to do when starting out, so do what you’ve been taught and run to the right, jumping on platforms and looking for doors. Holding the B Button allows you to run and jump farther. It took me awhile to figure this out… There are occasional enemies, which get kicked at to knock away until they finally fall off screen. Most of them will cause a heart to drop on the top of the screen. Some of them are easily grabbed, others are inaccessible and disappear when off the screen.
I found a map at some point and this was super necessary to find my way through the game. Holding the Select Button and pressing left or right will select the item you want to use. Pressing the Select Button with up will use the item. Outside of the map, there are sticks of dynamite that can be tossed to both attack enemies and blow up some doors impeding your progress. There are torches that light up dark rooms. There are the occasional keys used to open other doors. Shields and boomerangs are also out there for your use.
Most enemies are easy enough to juggle with your kicks against the edge of the screen. Others, like Pierre Le Pounce will drive you nuts. Between the knives and bombs, this is enough to kill you. Then you add in the invincible Holdy Ring and get ready to die. The Grab Trap also kills you immediately. Other obstacles will drain your health, as well.
You return to life when you die in order to get more hits on the enemies in play. If you run out of lives, you can continue as much as you want and show up on the leftmost door. This is useful if you can avoid some enemies this way. If you can navigate the maze properly, you find yourself up against Dr. Demise. He was pretty easy, especially with a load of TNT. Killing him gives you a screen of text to celebrate your victory with.
Graphics: 2.0
Sprites, animations, and backgrounds are average at best.
Sound: 1.0
The music loops way too quickly and isn’t good.
Gameplay: 1.5
I could have used a little less floaty physics and more than a jump kick as an attack.
Difficulty: 3.0
This isn’t a hard quest and you have unlimited continues to finish it.
Fun Factor: 1.5
Unfortunately it’s a little boring. There isn’t a lot of challenge that isn’t frustrating.
Overall Rating: 1.8
Secret Scout in the Temple of Demise earns a C. For an unlicensed game, it’s fine, but don’t expect anything good.