Introduction:

Faxanadu is one of the few NES games I got to play when the NES was still making games. I rented it and really enjoyed it. I didn't get that far in the game on the count that I couldn't read at that young age. But I always remembered it. When I got my NES when I was older that is one of the first games I got. It is a great action/adventure game. It got some good coverage in the old Nintendo Powers. I am looking at my Faxanadu Poster that I got inside an old Nintendo Power.

Story:

The story is that the World Tree is drying up! The fountain gives off no more water! The wells are almost dry! You must bravely go out and bring water to The World Tree. Many have gone out, but none have returned.

Gameplay:

The gameplay in Faxanadu is quite good. You have to time your jumps just right at certain points. You have to wield your sword at the right moment. You will have to fight many enemies. You will fight with various weapons that you can buy at stores in various towns throughout your adventure. You will also be able to attack with magic. You of course have a health and magic bar at the top of the screen. The game is a side scrolling game, but you will also be going up and down, by the means of a ladder or some wing boots. You will have to jump and attack at the right moment in the game. The  game is just a perfect RPG/Adventure/Action Style, I love this game, a legendary game for the NES. You can continue the game with passwords. (Don't forget your Mantra.)

I give the gameplay: 7/10

Graphics:

The graphics in this game are quite unique. The colour scheme are very unique, like no other NES game. The characters are done well. With the shading colours, the characters look quite nice. The background is nice too.

I give the graphics: 7.5/10

Sound:

The sound is nice.  The background sound is very well done for the stages, it fits the mood of the game perfectly. The Sound FX are nice too. You will here the sound of your mighty blade slicing an enemy.

I give the sound: 8.5/10

Replayability:

This game has an ok replayability. It is of course the best the first time you play it. But since it has it's action elements you can replay this game every once in awhile.

I give the replayability: 6/10

Challenge:

This game is a good challenge. You will be doing all right at first, but you will see an increase in the challenge as you progress through the big bosses.

I give the challenge: 7/10

Value:

The value is excellent. It's nice to see Great NES games that are cheap. I bought mine for 5 Dollars Canadian. Basically any NES game is worth 5 dollars. This game would be worth it if it were 10. I would be mad if it were 20, but I would still have gotten it if it were 20.

Overall:

Overall this game has an excellent gameplay style, it's graphics are very unique (unique good, not unique bad). The sound is a perfect fit. The challenge is good. Nice and tough. The Value is excellent. Overall this game is a must have for a NES player.

I give Faxanadu : 8/10

Conclusion:

This game is a true NES classic. It was never really famous, but it was never not famous. It was known. It has the great classic elements old 2-D Action/Adventure games should have, it fits perfectly with the NES. This game should be more known than it is. I will leave you with this "Daggers and wingboots, mantras and monsters await you"----Cover of the Faxanadu Cartridge

Written by: Joey Anderson

Date Written: April 3rd, 2004