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* AnAxeToGrind: As part of the ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' homage his character is built around, Bram's secondary attack is an arcing axe toss.
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** Zeek is based on the dancing merchants from ''VideoGame/SecretOfMana'', and the items he throws for his attack include a coin from ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'', what looks like a UsefulNotes/GameBoy, and the elixir from Matt Kap's previous game ''VideoGame/CastleInTheDarkness''.
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** Zeek Zeek's design is based on the dancing merchants from ''VideoGame/SecretOfMana'', and the items he throws for his attack include a coin from ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'', what looks like a UsefulNotes/GameBoy, and the elixir from Matt Kap's previous game ''VideoGame/CastleInTheDarkness''.
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** The unused Stranger enemy in the Lost Souls gallery is unmistakably similar to the Licker from ''Franchise/ResidentEvil''.
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* CutscenePowerToTheMax: The Black Knight is introduced effortlessly killing the entire party. He's next encountered not too much later in the Mechanism, where he can reasonably be fought off by a character who hasn't at all gotten stronger since they last met. The same cutscene also features him killing Arias with a descending DisintegratorRay and telekinetically lifting Algus up in the air, neither of which are attacks he has in any of his boss encounters.
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* MsFanservice: Despite that the game is mostly 8-bit pixels, game artwork shows Kyuli has some very generous curves and ample breasts.
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* MsFanservice: Despite that the game is mostly 8-bit pixels, game artwork shows Kyuli has some very generous curves and ample breasts. One piece of official art has her in a BoobsAndButtPose.
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* MsFanservice: Despite that the game is mostly 8-bit pixels, game artwork shows Kyuli has some very generous curves and ample breasts.
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* ArrangeMode: There are two unlockable game modes where you traverse the tower with a different character. One puts you in control of [[spoiler:the Black Knight]], while the other stars [[spoiler:Nevus, a gargoyle who rebels against the gorgons]].
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* ArrangeMode: ArrangeMode:
** There are two unlockable game modes where you traverse the tower with a different character. One puts you in control of [[spoiler:the Black Knight]], while the other stars [[spoiler:Nevus, a gargoyle who rebels against thegorgons]].gorgons]].
** A later update adds NewGamePlus, which alters the tower's layout and changes the location of where items are found, while allowing you to start with the {{secret character}}s and any upgrades or abilities you purchased from Epimetheus on the previous playthrough.
** There are two unlockable game modes where you traverse the tower with a different character. One puts you in control of [[spoiler:the Black Knight]], while the other stars [[spoiler:Nevus, a gargoyle who rebels against the
** A later update adds NewGamePlus, which alters the tower's layout and changes the location of where items are found, while allowing you to start with the {{secret character}}s and any upgrades or abilities you purchased from Epimetheus on the previous playthrough.
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* AnAxeToGrind: As part of the ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' homage his character is built around, Bram's secondary attack is an arcing axe toss.
* DarkReprise: The Apex and Tower Roots each have a darker variant of the game's intro theme, "Poisoned World," as their theme music. The former's is slow and ominous, while the latter's is more fast-paced and intense.
* ImprobableWeaponUser: Zeek attacks by throwing random objects at the enemy, including [[ThrowTheBookAtThem books]], [[MoneyMauling coins]], broken pillars, potions, and action figures of the protagonists.
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** SecretCharacter Bram plays just like the protagonist of a classic {{VideoGame/Castlevania}} game. His name, by extension, is presumably a reference to Creator/BramStoker.
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** SecretCharacter Bram plays just like the protagonist of a classic {{VideoGame/Castlevania}} ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' game. His name, by extension, is presumably a reference to Creator/BramStoker.
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* SoleSurvivor: Bram's village was wiped out by a gorgon in the past, leading him to devote his life to killing them.
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* AmbiguousSituation:
** Is Gorgon Solaria somehow not the "real" Solaria as Algus believes, or did she become a gorgon and turn on humanity of her own volition?
** Why exactly did the gorgons imprison Bram instead of just killing and eating him like they do to most humans?
** Is Gorgon Solaria somehow not the "real" Solaria as Algus believes, or did she become a gorgon and turn on humanity of her own volition?
** Why exactly did the gorgons imprison Bram instead of just killing and eating him like they do to most humans?
* ArrangeMode: There are two unlockable game modes where you traverse the tower with a different character. One puts you in control of [[spoiler:the Black Knight]], while the other stars [[spoiler:Nevus, a gargoyle who rebels against the gorgons]].
* DungeonBypass: Both of the {{Arrange Mode}}s center around using the protagonist's enhanced mobility to bypass obstacles that you'd normally have to maneuver around or collect an item for. [[spoiler:The Black Knight]] can jump much higher and farther than the normal protagonists, while [[spoiler:Nevus the gargoyle]] can fly for an unlimited amount of time.
* HitboxDissonance: [[spoiler:The Black Knight]] is significantly larger than the other playable characters, but his hitbox is the same size as theirs, leading to situations where enemies and hazards inexplicably pass harmlessly through his head.
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*** If you didn't fulfill the criteria, [[spoiler:Algus accepts the end after his sacrifice. He reminisces on the time he spent with Arias and Kyuli, hopeful that they will build a better future and glad he got to know them. TheStinger shows Algus becoming one of the people trapped inside the bubbles on Epimetheus' body, with Epimetheus quipping that he "saved [him] a spot."]]
*** If you did, [[spoiler:Algus defies Epimetheus when he comes for his soul. Enraged, Epimetheus impales Algus on his finger, only for Algus to trick him into attacking his homunculus instead. Since the homunculus was made using his soul, this gives Epimetheus part of Algus' soul but not all of it, technically fulfilling the deal. Epimetheus allows Algus to escape but swears that he will "come to claim what is owed" someday. Algus survives with his companions and joins them in the festivities that follow their victory.]]
*** If you did, [[spoiler:Algus defies Epimetheus when he comes for his soul. Enraged, Epimetheus impales Algus on his finger, only for Algus to trick him into attacking his homunculus instead. Since the homunculus was made using his soul, this gives Epimetheus part of Algus' soul but not all of it, technically fulfilling the deal. Epimetheus allows Algus to escape but swears that he will "come to claim what is owed" someday. Algus survives with his companions and joins them in the festivities that follow their victory.]]
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*** [[BittersweetEnding If you didn't fulfill the criteria, criteria]], [[spoiler:Algus accepts the end after his sacrifice. He reminisces on the time he spent with Arias and Kyuli, hopeful that they will build a better future and glad he got to know them. TheStinger shows Algus becoming one of the people trapped inside the bubbles on Epimetheus' body, with Epimetheus quipping that he "saved [him] a spot."]]
*** [[GoldenEnding If youdid, did]], [[spoiler:Algus defies Epimetheus when he comes for his soul. Enraged, Epimetheus impales Algus on his finger, only for Algus to trick him into attacking his homunculus instead. Since the homunculus was made using his soul, this gives Epimetheus part of Algus' soul but not all of it, technically fulfilling the deal. Epimetheus allows Algus to escape but swears that he will "come to claim what is owed" someday. Algus survives with his companions and joins them in the festivities that follow their victory.]]
*** [[GoldenEnding If you
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* AmbiguouslyGay: One room contains a headless, feminine-looking statue with its butt facing the player. Having Kyuli examine the statue prompts her to say "Not bad, for a gorgon!"
* CoolKey: Red keys, the rarest non-unique variety of key, are shaped like some sort of horned demon's head. The doors they open are similarly covered in a mural of demons, snakes, and teeth.
* IWillFindYou: The reason Zeek wants to be a wizard is so that he can find the woman who raised him again.
* InfinityPlusOneSword: Completing the Tower Roots (an optional area that requires you to have every key upgrade in the game) and defeating [[BonusBoss Dullahan]] rewards you with the Blood Chalice, which regenerates your health when standing still. This is very desirable considering how limited healing otherwise is in ''Astalon'', and combined with how powerful the game lets you become, it can essentially make you immortal if you're patient enough to wait for your health to regenerate now and again.
* InfinityPlusOneSword: Completing the Tower Roots (an optional area that requires you to have every key upgrade in the game) and defeating [[BonusBoss Dullahan]] rewards you with the Blood Chalice, which regenerates your health when standing still. This is very desirable considering how limited healing otherwise is in ''Astalon'', and combined with how powerful the game lets you become, it can essentially make you immortal if you're patient enough to wait for your health to regenerate now and again.
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** Ending 2: Defeat the final boss at the Apex. This ending has two variations depending on whether you [[spoiler: complete the Homunculus and achieve OneHundredPercentCompletion of the castle]] or not. Either way, after the battle, [[spoiler:the Black Knight tries to take the party down with him, with Algus saying his goodbyes to Arias and Kyuli before sacrificing himself to stop him. The Tower of Serpents collapses, the village's water supply is purified, and Arias and Kyuli are hailed as heroes.]]
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** Ending 2: Defeat the final boss at the Apex. This ending has two variations depending on whether you [[spoiler: complete the Homunculus and achieve OneHundredPercentCompletion of the castle]] tower]] or not. Either way, after the battle, [[spoiler:the Black Knight tries to take the party down with him, with Algus saying his goodbyes to Arias and Kyuli before sacrificing himself to stop him. The Tower of Serpents collapses, the village's water supply is purified, and Arias and Kyuli are hailed as heroes.]]
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* NoobCave: The adventure begins with a brief cave with no threats aside from a few easily-avoided spikes and three simple platforming sections serving to acquaint the player with each of the three protagonists and their abilities.
* NotInThisForYourRevolution: Unlike the other four characters, Zeek has no interest in cleansing the water supply or protecting the world from gorgons and is only tagging along because he wants to "become a wizard" and find his adoptive mother again. He doesn't even seem to be ''aware'' of what's happening to the water, since his only reaction when inspecting the source of the poison in the Catacombs is to ingenuously note that the poison is "making the water purple!"
* NotInThisForYourRevolution: Unlike the other four characters, Zeek has no interest in cleansing the water supply or protecting the world from gorgons and is only tagging along because he wants to "become a wizard" and find his adoptive mother again. He doesn't even seem to be ''aware'' of what's happening to the water, since his only reaction when inspecting the source of the poison in the Catacombs is to ingenuously note that the poison is "making the water purple!"
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* RubberForeheadAliens: The Lunarians, apparently. A text block in the Catacombs describes them as looking "like [humans], but not exactly," but the text explaining how so is illegible.
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** The title screen looks a lot like the tower entrance screen in ''VideoGame/{{Terranigma}}''.
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* SuspiciouslyCrackedWall: One of the game's main ways of signifying a secret passageway.
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* AlienSky: According to a tablet describing the Lunarians, the planet ''Astalon'' takes place on apparently has more than one moon.
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* KungFuProofMook: Ghosts can only be damaged by Algus using a special banishing spell.
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* KungFuProofMook: KungFuProofMook:
** Ghosts can only be damaged by Algus using a special banishingspell.spell.
** The Horhai is impervious to normal attacks and can only be damaged with Algus' Meteor Rain or Kyuli's Shining Ray.
** Ghosts can only be damaged by Algus using a special banishing
** The Horhai is impervious to normal attacks and can only be damaged with Algus' Meteor Rain or Kyuli's Shining Ray.
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* MoneyMultiplier: Three demonic-looking stone heads can be found scattered throughout the Tower. At the cost of a few hit points, destroying them cumulatively doubles the amount of orbs you obtain until death, at which point the heads respawn and may be destroyed again to regain the boost.
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* PressXToDie: The Gorgon's Tomb contains a balcony where you can jump out of the tower. This goes about the way you'd expect it to.
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* SoNearYetSoFar: The elevator that leads to the final battle can be accessed as soon as you obtain the Ascendent Key, but you can't actually use it until you've collected the three Gorgon Eyes.
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* TheUnfought: The three gorgons who [[spoiler:raised the Black Knight]]. They seem to appear in the background of a room in the Ruins of Ash, but they can't be interacted with in any way, let alone fought.
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-->'''Black Knight:''' I... I MUST! YOU ARE FOOLS! SHEEP! DESERVING ONLY OF SLAUGHTER! I... HATE YOU ALL!
-->'''Algus:''' So your goal of revenge was to kill the innocent? Stop the poison, knight! The villagers did you no wrong!
* {{Gorgon}}: The Gorgons of this game appear to be giant, HornedHumanoid stone heads whose true forms are demonic abominations that lie within. The FinalBoss Gorgon does appear to resemble the head of {{Medusa}}.
-->'''Algus:''' So your goal of revenge was to kill the innocent? Stop the poison, knight! The villagers did you no wrong!
* {{Gorgon}}: The Gorgons of this game appear to be giant, HornedHumanoid stone heads whose true forms are demonic abominations that lie within. The FinalBoss Gorgon does appear to resemble the head of {{Medusa}}.
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-->'''Black Knight:''' I... I MUST! YOU ARE FOOLS! SHEEP! DESERVING ONLY OF SLAUGHTER! I... HATE YOU ALL!
-->'''Algus:'''ALL!\\
'''Algus:''' So your goal of revenge was to kill the innocent? Stop the poison, knight! The villagers did you nowrong!
* {{Gorgon}}: The Gorgons of this game appear to be giant, HornedHumanoid stone heads whose true forms are demonic abominations that lie within. The FinalBoss Gorgon does appear to resemble the head of {{Medusa}}.wrong!
-->'''Algus:'''
'''Algus:''' So your goal of revenge was to kill the innocent? Stop the poison, knight! The villagers did you no
* {{Gorgon}}: The Gorgons of this game appear to be giant, HornedHumanoid stone heads whose true forms are demonic abominations that lie within. The FinalBoss Gorgon does appear to resemble the head of {{Medusa}}.
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* {{Medusa}}: The Gorgons of this game appear to be giant, HornedHumanoid stone heads whose true forms are demonic abominations that lie within. The FinalBoss Gorgon does appear to resemble the head of Medusa herself.
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The old video no longer exists.
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* AIBreaker: During the final battle against the Black Knight, his AI will only perform one of his attacks if he is near the player and is within vertical distance. If the player uses Kyuli to WallJump up the wall before he gets near, [[https://youtu.be/V2J0n-oajG0?t=1347 all he will do is walk left and right]] while she can shoot at him.
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* AIBreaker: During the final battle against the Black Knight, his AI will only perform one of his attacks if he is near the player and is within vertical distance. If the player uses Kyuli to WallJump up the wall before he gets near, [[https://youtu.be/V2J0n-oajG0?t=1347 be/pfPVECq7Mw0?t=833 all he will do is walk left and right]] while she can shoot at him.
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* DevelopersForesight: Being a metroidvania, it's entirely possible to get the Boreas Gauntlet before [[spoiler:Bram joins the team]]. In that case, the ability to douse flames will be given to Arias instead.
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** The items thrown by Zeek include a coin from ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'', what looks like a UsefulNotes/GameBoy, and the elixir from Matt Kap's previous game ''VideoGame/CastleInTheDarkness''.
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** The Zeek is based on the dancing merchants from ''VideoGame/SecretOfMana'', and the items thrown by Zeek he throws for his attack include a coin from ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'', what looks like a UsefulNotes/GameBoy, and the elixir from Matt Kap's previous game ''VideoGame/CastleInTheDarkness''.
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* PressStartToGameOver: You can get a quick NonstandardGameOver by going left and taking Algus out of the NoobCave before reuniting him with his friends.
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** Arias greatly resembles the hero from ''VideoGame/DragonQuestI''.
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** Arias greatly resembles the hero from ''VideoGame/DragonQuestI''. One of his alternate designs in the Dimensional Mirror also resembles the one from ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIII''.
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*** He also [[{{Film/Willow}} calls Arias a "peck"]] during his introductory scene.
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** The gargoyles in the Ruins of Ash resemble [[VideoGame/GhostsNGoblins Red Arremers.]] [[spoiler:Additionally, one of the alternate game modes [[VideoGame/GargoylesQuest lets you play as one.]]]]
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* NoCampaignForTheWicked: Averted -- [[spoiler:Black Knight mode lets you play as the Black Knight himself, going through the tower and fighting the Gorgons (and a copy of himself) as part of his training.]]
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* NoCampaignForTheWicked: Averted -- [[spoiler:Black Knight mode lets you play as the Black Knight himself, going through the tower and fighting the Gorgons (and a copy of himself) as part of his training.TrainingFromHell.]]
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* TrainingFromHell: The [[spoiler:Black Knight Mode, where the Black Knight's training involves the Gorgons putting him through the entire tower, having to fight them all as well as a clone of himself, where failure meant death]].
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* BloodBath: In [[spoiler:Black Knight Mode, the playable Black Knight heals by standing in pools of blood]].
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** The [[spoiler:Black Knight's shadow energy balls]] cost 2 HP to use
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* TheHeavy: While the Black Knight is the most active villain, being responsible for the water poisoning and facing off the characters multiple times, the true villains are the Gorgons who helped to bring him to power.
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* NoCampaignForTheWicked: Averted -- [[spoiler:Black Knight mode lets you play as the Black Knight himself, going through the tower and fighting the Gorgons (and a copy of himself) as part of his training.]]
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* {{Gorgon}}: The Gorgons of this game appear to be giant, HornedHumanoid stone heads whose true forms are demonic abominations that lie within. The FinalBoss Gorgon does appear to resemble the head of {{Medusa}}.
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* OurGorgonsAreDifferent: The Gorgons of this game appear to be giant, HornedHumanoid stone heads whose true forms are demonic abominations that lie within.
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* OurGorgonsAreDifferent: The Gorgons of this game appear to be giant, HornedHumanoid stone heads whose true forms are demonic abominations that lie within.
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** Algus' Meteor Rain spell is a screen-filling attack that costs 15 HP to use.
** Zeek's Magic Block ability allows him to create a block from thin air at the cost of 5 HP.
** Zeek's Magic Block ability allows him to create a block from thin air at the cost of 5 HP.
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** Algus' Meteor Rain spell is a screen-filling attack that costs 15 5 HP to use.
** Zeek's Magic Block abilityallows him originally cost 5 HP to create a block from thin air at use. Patches later reduced the cost of 5 HP.to 1 HP before removing it entirely.
** Zeek's Magic Block ability
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** Ending 2: Defeat the final boss at the Apex. This ending has two variations depending on whether you [[spoiler: complete the Homunculus]] or not. Either way, after the battle, [[spoiler:the Black Knight tries to take the party down with him, with Algus saying his goodbyes to Arias and Kyuli before sacrificing himself to stop him. The Tower of Serpents collapses, the village's water supply is purified, and Arias and Kyuli are hailed as heroes.]]
*** If you didn't fulfill the condition, [[spoiler:Algus accepts the end after his sacrifice. He reminisces on the time he spent with Arias and Kyuli, hopeful that they will build a better future and glad he got to know them. TheStinger shows Algus becoming one of the people trapped inside the bubbles on Epimetheus' body, with Epimetheus quipping that he "saved [him] a spot."]]
*** If you didn't fulfill the condition, [[spoiler:Algus accepts the end after his sacrifice. He reminisces on the time he spent with Arias and Kyuli, hopeful that they will build a better future and glad he got to know them. TheStinger shows Algus becoming one of the people trapped inside the bubbles on Epimetheus' body, with Epimetheus quipping that he "saved [him] a spot."]]
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** Ending 2: Defeat the final boss at the Apex. This ending has two variations depending on whether you [[spoiler: complete the Homunculus]] Homunculus and achieve OneHundredPercentCompletion of the castle]] or not. Either way, after the battle, [[spoiler:the Black Knight tries to take the party down with him, with Algus saying his goodbyes to Arias and Kyuli before sacrificing himself to stop him. The Tower of Serpents collapses, the village's water supply is purified, and Arias and Kyuli are hailed as heroes.]]
*** If you didn't fulfill thecondition, criteria, [[spoiler:Algus accepts the end after his sacrifice. He reminisces on the time he spent with Arias and Kyuli, hopeful that they will build a better future and glad he got to know them. TheStinger shows Algus becoming one of the people trapped inside the bubbles on Epimetheus' body, with Epimetheus quipping that he "saved [him] a spot."]]
*** If you didn't fulfill the
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** The items thrown by Zeek include a coin from ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' and what looks like a UsefulNotes/GameBoy.
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** The items thrown by Zeek include a coin from ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' and ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'', what looks like a UsefulNotes/GameBoy.UsefulNotes/GameBoy, and the elixir from Matt Kap's previous game ''VideoGame/CastleInTheDarkness''.
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The game was released on June 3, 2021 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC.
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The game was released on June 3, 2021 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, and PC.
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* BladeSpam: Arias' attack begins to verge into this as you upgrade his attack speed.
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* EvilIsVisceral: In their true forms, most of the gorgons appear as grotesque fleshy monstrosities.
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* GruesomeGoat: Epimetheus, the Titan of Death, appears as a towering pile of flesh with a goat skull for a head.
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* SequelHook: Completing all of the secrets unlocks one last secret titled "Final Scene." It shows [[spoiler:Epimetheus being confronted by a mysterious cloaked figure seeking his services. Epimetheus reacts with amusement followed by rage to their demands, until the figure pulls out some kind of glowing white spear. Whatever the significance of this item is, Epimetheus is astonished by the sight, and the figure says "Let us begin." before the scene fades to black.]]
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* WaterSourceTampering: A village's water supply has become poisoned, and the heroes travel to the Tower of Serpents to put a stop to it.
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* CallAPegasusAHippogriff: One enemy found in the Ruins of Ash is called a "harpy" by the bestiary. It's a disembodied, marble-white human head with angel wings.
* {{Cyclops}}: They are muscular, vaguely insectoid creatures with scythes for arms who are created when a cyclops larva attaches itself to a human.
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* MisanthropeSupreme: The Black Knight. As a result of [[spoiler:having an abusive father who handed him to a cult to be sacrificed to the gorgons, who in turn raised him as a TykeBomb intended to serve them against the humanity]], he wants nothing less than the total extinction of the human race.
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* MassMonsterSlaughterSidequest: To reach the boss of the Cyclops Den and get the Prince's Crown, you first have to kill all 35 of the cyclopes in the area.
* MisanthropeSupreme: The Black Knight. As a result of [[spoiler:having an abusive father who handed him to a cult to be sacrificed to the gorgons, who in turn raised him as a TykeBomb intended to serve them againstthe humanity]], he wants nothing less than the total extinction of the human race.
* MisanthropeSupreme: The Black Knight. As a result of [[spoiler:having an abusive father who handed him to a cult to be sacrificed to the gorgons, who in turn raised him as a TykeBomb intended to serve them against
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* NightmareFace: BonusBoss Dullahan has a goblin-like face with black pits for eyes and a toothy, gaping mouth.
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* OurCentaursAreDifferent: Giant blue centaurs called "Rhaecus" are fought as a type of miniboss. Dullahan, a stronger red version of the enemy capable of detaching its head, can be fought late in the game.
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* ArtStyleDissonance: The game features colorful 8-bit graphics with SuperDeformed character designs from the artist behind Dragon Half. It also features some very dark backstory and lore, as well as ghoulish monster designs.
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* ArtStyleDissonance: The game features colorful 8-bit graphics with SuperDeformed character designs from the artist behind Dragon Half.''Manga/DragonHalf''. It also features some very dark backstory and lore, as well as ghoulish monster designs.
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* DamnYouMuscleMemory: Unlocking one of the SecretCharacters means that the character-swapping order of Athena's Bell changes to accommodate them. Instead of switching from Kyuli to Arias, you'll switch from Kyuli to the unlockable. This happens all over again when you unlock the second one.
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* DamnYouMuscleMemory: Unlocking one of the SecretCharacters {{Secret Character}}s means that the character-swapping order of Athena's Bell changes to accommodate them. Instead of switching from Kyuli to Arias, you'll switch from Kyuli to the unlockable. This happens all over again when you unlock the second one.
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* CurbStompBattle: The first encounter with the BlackKnight is not even a HopelessBossFight, it's a cutscene where he kills all three player characters without any effort.
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* AIBreaker: During the final battle against the Black Knight, his AI will only perform one of his attacks if he is near the player and is within vertical distance. If the player uses Kyuli to WallJump up the wall before he gets near, [[https://youtu.be/V2J0n-oajG0?t=1347 all he will do is walk left and right]] while she can shoot at him.
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/astalon_tropes.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:From left to right: Algus, Arias, and Kyuli.]]
[[caption-width-right:350:From left to right: Algus, Arias, and Kyuli.]]
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->''"We traveled through hell to get here, but we finally made it. This cold tower... I can feel its evil energy in my soul, stabbing like shards of glass. We are tired, injured and hungry, but we must continue forward. The lives of the people back home depend on us... but I have no one. Just a promise to a dead man, and the ultimate debt..."''
''Astalon: Tears of the Earth'' is a {{Metroidvania}} developed by LABS Works and published by Creator/DangenEntertainment.
The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting where, in the year 21XX, the rulers of the world brought it to ruin in a struggle for power, leaving only a few survivors in an irradiated wasteland. Decades later, ruins of the old world begin arising from the earth; these are the "tears of the earth" the title refers to.
A village's water supply has become tainted. Three explorers—Arias the fighter, Algus the wizard, and Kyuli the thief— set out to find the cause of this and save their people. They eventually discover the Tower of Serpents, a dark tower that emanates evil energy and seems to be poisoning the water.
The trio will die. However, that will not be the end of it. Unbeknownst to his companions, Algus made a deal with Epimetheus, the Titan of death, in the past. Should any of them fall in their quest, Epimetheus will rewind time back to when they first entered the tower. In exchange, however, the titan will take Algus' soul once their task is complete...
The game was released on June 3, 2021 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC.
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!! This game contains examples of:
* ArtShift: Recruiting Zeek unlocks a set of alternate portraits for the characters that are drawn in a more realistic style.
* ArtStyleDissonance: The game features colorful 8-bit graphics with SuperDeformed character designs from the artist behind Dragon Half. It also features some very dark backstory and lore, as well as ghoulish monster designs.
* AttackReflector: One of Arias' items, the Sword of Mirrors, allows him to deflect enemy projectiles with his sword.
* BigBoosHaunt: The Hall of Phantoms, as its name suggests, is filled with skeletons, floating demon heads, and ghosts that can only be harmed with Algus' Banish spell.
* BigCreepyCrawlies: Giant beetles serve as the first enemies encountered by the player.
* BodyHorror: The Black Knight's flesh is seen grotesquely bulging out of his armor in his first appearance. [[spoiler:When he loses to the party for the final time, it happens again, and the bulging gets worse to the point where he ''collapses'' under a pile of bulbous tumors.]]
* BreakoutMookCharacter: [[spoiler: One of the unlockable game modes is Monster Mode, where you play as a gargoyle named Nevus who rebels against the gorgons' tyrannical rule over the monsters.]]
* CastFromHitPoints:
** Algus' Meteor Rain spell is a screen-filling attack that costs 15 HP to use.
** Zeek's Magic Block ability allows him to create a block from thin air at the cost of 5 HP.
* CastFromMoney: Kyuli's Shining Ray technique costs 500 orbs to use.
* DamnYouMuscleMemory: Unlocking one of the SecretCharacters means that the character-swapping order of Athena's Bell changes to accommodate them. Instead of switching from Kyuli to Arias, you'll switch from Kyuli to the unlockable. This happens all over again when you unlock the second one.
* DealWithTheDevil: Algus made one with Epimetheus in the past. In exchange for the Epimetheus rewinding time for Algus after he dies, the Titan gets Algus' soul after he's finished with the Tower of Serpents.
* DegradedBoss: Stronger versions of the cyclops minibosses appear as normal enemies in the later game.
* DidYouJustScamCthulhu: It's possible for [[spoiler:Algus to escape his pact with Epimetheus by tricking the Titan into taking his homunculus, which was made with a part of his soul, rather than his entire soul.]]
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Volantis, the second gorgon fought by the heroes, swears to take revenge on them for killing his brother Tauros.
* EvilTowerOfOminousness: The Tower of Serpents is a huge black tower in the desert that's responsible for poisoning the heroes' village's water supply. The protagonists repeatedly note that the tower seems to give off evil energy.
* FighterMageThief: Arias is the fighter, Algus is the mage, and Kyuli is the thief.
* FistBump: If you recruited Bram, he and Arias are seen doing one in the end credits.
* FlashSideways: Arias and Kyuli have faint memories of their previous deaths undone by Epimetheus.
* FreudianExcuseIsNoExcuse: In the climax, Algus calls the Black Knight out, saying that while he sympathizes with his plight, his plan to wipe out all humanity is nonetheless beyond the pale.
-->'''Algus:''' I understand your suffering, but you don't have to do this!
-->'''Black Knight:''' I... I MUST! YOU ARE FOOLS! SHEEP! DESERVING ONLY OF SLAUGHTER! I... HATE YOU ALL!
-->'''Algus:''' So your goal of revenge was to kill the innocent? Stop the poison, knight! The villagers did you no wrong!
* HeartContainer: In addition to Epimetheus' upgrades, the party can also upgrade their stats by collecting crystal shards scattered throughout the tower. These come in two forms: red shards that increase health, and white shards that increase attack power.
* HeroicSacrifice: In the ending, [[spoiler:Algus gives his life defending the rest of the party from the Black Knight's attempt to take them down with him. Whether he actually dies depends on what variation of the ending the player got.]]
* HyperactiveMetabolism:
** When resting, Algus heals the party by making food out of slain monsters.
** In [[spoiler:Monster Mode]], the protagonist heals by eating meat dropped by slain enemies.
* {{Hypocrite}}: When a child is sacrificed to the gorgons in the Tower of Serpents, they express pity for the boy and disgust towards humans for being capable of doing such a thing. They then proceed to [[spoiler:turn him into a TykeBomb with the intent of letting him die should he fail his training, only electing not to eat him because he's too small]].
* InSeriesNickname: Algus is called "Al" by Arias.
* JustifiedExtraLives: After one of the player characters is killed, Epimetheus rewinds time as part of his deal with Algus.
* KungFuProofMook: Ghosts can only be damaged by Algus using a special banishing spell.
* LivingOnBorrowedTime: Algus is doomed to be claimed by Epimetheus after he's fulfilled their bargain and taken down the tower.
* MisanthropeSupreme: The Black Knight. As a result of [[spoiler:having an abusive father who handed him to a cult to be sacrificed to the gorgons, who in turn raised him as a TykeBomb intended to serve them against the humanity]], he wants nothing less than the total extinction of the human race.
* MonsterCompendium: One sidequest involves being tasked by the last surviving member of the Order of Beast Hunters to document the monsters living in the Tower.
* MultipleEndings:
** Ending 1: When taking control of Arias at the beginning of the game, have him turn back and leave the tower rather than following the others. Arias dies after living a life of regret, and Algus and Kyuli are unable to complete their quest without him. The game then states that "that's not how the story went" and returns the player to where the game begins. More of a NonstandardGameOver than a full ending.
** Ending 2: Defeat the final boss at the Apex. This ending has two variations depending on whether you [[spoiler: complete the Homunculus]] or not. Either way, after the battle, [[spoiler:the Black Knight tries to take the party down with him, with Algus saying his goodbyes to Arias and Kyuli before sacrificing himself to stop him. The Tower of Serpents collapses, the village's water supply is purified, and Arias and Kyuli are hailed as heroes.]]
*** If you didn't fulfill the condition, [[spoiler:Algus accepts the end after his sacrifice. He reminisces on the time he spent with Arias and Kyuli, hopeful that they will build a better future and glad he got to know them. TheStinger shows Algus becoming one of the people trapped inside the bubbles on Epimetheus' body, with Epimetheus quipping that he "saved [him] a spot."]]
*** If you did, [[spoiler:Algus defies Epimetheus when he comes for his soul. Enraged, Epimetheus impales Algus on his finger, only for Algus to trick him into attacking his homunculus instead. Since the homunculus was made using his soul, this gives Epimetheus part of Algus' soul but not all of it, technically fulfilling the deal. Epimetheus allows Algus to escape but swears that he will "come to claim what is owed" someday. Algus survives with his companions and joins them in the festivities that follow their victory.]]
* NumberOfTheBeast: Epimetheus' "Gift" deal costs 666 orbs.
* OhCrap: Tauros and Volantis react with terror when their true forms are defeated and their stone faces start falling apart.
* OlderThanTheyLook: Zeek the merchant looks like a child, but he's actually 24 years old.
* PrecisionFStrike: After Algus reveals the details of his deal with Epimetheus, Arias tells him "what the hell?!" for keeping it hidden from him and Kyuli.
* SayMyName: [[spoiler:Epimetheus]] screams [[spoiler:Algus']] name with fury after [[spoiler:being tricked by him in the good ending.]]
* SealedEvilInACan: The gorgons are demonic creatures who are trapped inside the Tears of the Earth. They can escape from their prison if they become powerful enough, allowing them to wreak as much havoc as they want, and this is the goal of the gorgons in the Tower of Serpents.
* SecretCharacter: In addition to the main trio, two more characters can be added to the team: Bram the hunter and Zeek the merchant.
* ShoutOut:
** Arias greatly resembles the hero from ''VideoGame/DragonQuestI''.
** The deal that reduces the amount of knockback you suffer from taking damage is called [[VideoGame/DarkSouls Poise]].
** SecretCharacter Bram plays just like the protagonist of a classic {{VideoGame/Castlevania}} game. His name, by extension, is presumably a reference to Creator/BramStoker.
** The items thrown by Zeek include a coin from ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' and what looks like a UsefulNotes/GameBoy.
** The achievement/trophy for getting Ending 1 is titled "[[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Fly, you fool!]]"
** The Dimensional Mirror is a set of concept art pieces, some of which are references:
*** "'Your poison comes from another tower.'": A re-enactment of the boss fights from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'' with Arias and a cyclops in place of Mario and Bowser.
*** "Burning Emblem": A pastiche of ''Franchise/FireEmblem''.
*** "[[{{VideoGame/Gradius}} Astalius]]: [[VideoGame/RType The Second Lightning]]": Algus as the protagonist of a shoot-em-up game battling Epimetheus in a spaceship.
* StabTheSky: Arias strikes this pose during his "become the hero that I was meant to be" moment in the intro. He does it again when the party is about to enter the final battle, as well as whenever he activates his LastChanceHitPoint skill Lionheart.
* StartOfDarkness: After your first fight with the Black Knight, "insight" becomes available to buy from Epimetheus. It can be bought three times, each of which shows a cutscene explaining how the Knight became what he is.
* ToServeMan: The gorgons see the humans as nothing more than food, which they repeatedly remind the protagonists of.
* VariableMix: A more relaxed variation of the area's music plays in save rooms.
* WombLevel: The Serpent's Path, a cavern of red flesh and blue veins where the heroes must fight beating hearts that fire poison at them. Secret rooms with the same appearance as this area are also scattered throughout the tower.
* WouldHurtAChild: When Kyuli mentions that even the village's children were poisoned by his plan, the Black Knight laughs it off as "a small price to restore purity."
* YearX: The apocalyptic event that precedes the game takes place in Year 21XX.
----
''Astalon: Tears of the Earth'' is a {{Metroidvania}} developed by LABS Works and published by Creator/DangenEntertainment.
The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting where, in the year 21XX, the rulers of the world brought it to ruin in a struggle for power, leaving only a few survivors in an irradiated wasteland. Decades later, ruins of the old world begin arising from the earth; these are the "tears of the earth" the title refers to.
A village's water supply has become tainted. Three explorers—Arias the fighter, Algus the wizard, and Kyuli the thief— set out to find the cause of this and save their people. They eventually discover the Tower of Serpents, a dark tower that emanates evil energy and seems to be poisoning the water.
The trio will die. However, that will not be the end of it. Unbeknownst to his companions, Algus made a deal with Epimetheus, the Titan of death, in the past. Should any of them fall in their quest, Epimetheus will rewind time back to when they first entered the tower. In exchange, however, the titan will take Algus' soul once their task is complete...
The game was released on June 3, 2021 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC.
----
!! This game contains examples of:
* ArtShift: Recruiting Zeek unlocks a set of alternate portraits for the characters that are drawn in a more realistic style.
* ArtStyleDissonance: The game features colorful 8-bit graphics with SuperDeformed character designs from the artist behind Dragon Half. It also features some very dark backstory and lore, as well as ghoulish monster designs.
* AttackReflector: One of Arias' items, the Sword of Mirrors, allows him to deflect enemy projectiles with his sword.
* BigBoosHaunt: The Hall of Phantoms, as its name suggests, is filled with skeletons, floating demon heads, and ghosts that can only be harmed with Algus' Banish spell.
* BigCreepyCrawlies: Giant beetles serve as the first enemies encountered by the player.
* BodyHorror: The Black Knight's flesh is seen grotesquely bulging out of his armor in his first appearance. [[spoiler:When he loses to the party for the final time, it happens again, and the bulging gets worse to the point where he ''collapses'' under a pile of bulbous tumors.]]
* BreakoutMookCharacter: [[spoiler: One of the unlockable game modes is Monster Mode, where you play as a gargoyle named Nevus who rebels against the gorgons' tyrannical rule over the monsters.]]
* CastFromHitPoints:
** Algus' Meteor Rain spell is a screen-filling attack that costs 15 HP to use.
** Zeek's Magic Block ability allows him to create a block from thin air at the cost of 5 HP.
* CastFromMoney: Kyuli's Shining Ray technique costs 500 orbs to use.
* DamnYouMuscleMemory: Unlocking one of the SecretCharacters means that the character-swapping order of Athena's Bell changes to accommodate them. Instead of switching from Kyuli to Arias, you'll switch from Kyuli to the unlockable. This happens all over again when you unlock the second one.
* DealWithTheDevil: Algus made one with Epimetheus in the past. In exchange for the Epimetheus rewinding time for Algus after he dies, the Titan gets Algus' soul after he's finished with the Tower of Serpents.
* DegradedBoss: Stronger versions of the cyclops minibosses appear as normal enemies in the later game.
* DidYouJustScamCthulhu: It's possible for [[spoiler:Algus to escape his pact with Epimetheus by tricking the Titan into taking his homunculus, which was made with a part of his soul, rather than his entire soul.]]
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Volantis, the second gorgon fought by the heroes, swears to take revenge on them for killing his brother Tauros.
* EvilTowerOfOminousness: The Tower of Serpents is a huge black tower in the desert that's responsible for poisoning the heroes' village's water supply. The protagonists repeatedly note that the tower seems to give off evil energy.
* FighterMageThief: Arias is the fighter, Algus is the mage, and Kyuli is the thief.
* FistBump: If you recruited Bram, he and Arias are seen doing one in the end credits.
* FlashSideways: Arias and Kyuli have faint memories of their previous deaths undone by Epimetheus.
* FreudianExcuseIsNoExcuse: In the climax, Algus calls the Black Knight out, saying that while he sympathizes with his plight, his plan to wipe out all humanity is nonetheless beyond the pale.
-->'''Algus:''' I understand your suffering, but you don't have to do this!
-->'''Black Knight:''' I... I MUST! YOU ARE FOOLS! SHEEP! DESERVING ONLY OF SLAUGHTER! I... HATE YOU ALL!
-->'''Algus:''' So your goal of revenge was to kill the innocent? Stop the poison, knight! The villagers did you no wrong!
* HeartContainer: In addition to Epimetheus' upgrades, the party can also upgrade their stats by collecting crystal shards scattered throughout the tower. These come in two forms: red shards that increase health, and white shards that increase attack power.
* HeroicSacrifice: In the ending, [[spoiler:Algus gives his life defending the rest of the party from the Black Knight's attempt to take them down with him. Whether he actually dies depends on what variation of the ending the player got.]]
* HyperactiveMetabolism:
** When resting, Algus heals the party by making food out of slain monsters.
** In [[spoiler:Monster Mode]], the protagonist heals by eating meat dropped by slain enemies.
* {{Hypocrite}}: When a child is sacrificed to the gorgons in the Tower of Serpents, they express pity for the boy and disgust towards humans for being capable of doing such a thing. They then proceed to [[spoiler:turn him into a TykeBomb with the intent of letting him die should he fail his training, only electing not to eat him because he's too small]].
* InSeriesNickname: Algus is called "Al" by Arias.
* JustifiedExtraLives: After one of the player characters is killed, Epimetheus rewinds time as part of his deal with Algus.
* KungFuProofMook: Ghosts can only be damaged by Algus using a special banishing spell.
* LivingOnBorrowedTime: Algus is doomed to be claimed by Epimetheus after he's fulfilled their bargain and taken down the tower.
* MisanthropeSupreme: The Black Knight. As a result of [[spoiler:having an abusive father who handed him to a cult to be sacrificed to the gorgons, who in turn raised him as a TykeBomb intended to serve them against the humanity]], he wants nothing less than the total extinction of the human race.
* MonsterCompendium: One sidequest involves being tasked by the last surviving member of the Order of Beast Hunters to document the monsters living in the Tower.
* MultipleEndings:
** Ending 1: When taking control of Arias at the beginning of the game, have him turn back and leave the tower rather than following the others. Arias dies after living a life of regret, and Algus and Kyuli are unable to complete their quest without him. The game then states that "that's not how the story went" and returns the player to where the game begins. More of a NonstandardGameOver than a full ending.
** Ending 2: Defeat the final boss at the Apex. This ending has two variations depending on whether you [[spoiler: complete the Homunculus]] or not. Either way, after the battle, [[spoiler:the Black Knight tries to take the party down with him, with Algus saying his goodbyes to Arias and Kyuli before sacrificing himself to stop him. The Tower of Serpents collapses, the village's water supply is purified, and Arias and Kyuli are hailed as heroes.]]
*** If you didn't fulfill the condition, [[spoiler:Algus accepts the end after his sacrifice. He reminisces on the time he spent with Arias and Kyuli, hopeful that they will build a better future and glad he got to know them. TheStinger shows Algus becoming one of the people trapped inside the bubbles on Epimetheus' body, with Epimetheus quipping that he "saved [him] a spot."]]
*** If you did, [[spoiler:Algus defies Epimetheus when he comes for his soul. Enraged, Epimetheus impales Algus on his finger, only for Algus to trick him into attacking his homunculus instead. Since the homunculus was made using his soul, this gives Epimetheus part of Algus' soul but not all of it, technically fulfilling the deal. Epimetheus allows Algus to escape but swears that he will "come to claim what is owed" someday. Algus survives with his companions and joins them in the festivities that follow their victory.]]
* NumberOfTheBeast: Epimetheus' "Gift" deal costs 666 orbs.
* OhCrap: Tauros and Volantis react with terror when their true forms are defeated and their stone faces start falling apart.
* OlderThanTheyLook: Zeek the merchant looks like a child, but he's actually 24 years old.
* PrecisionFStrike: After Algus reveals the details of his deal with Epimetheus, Arias tells him "what the hell?!" for keeping it hidden from him and Kyuli.
* SayMyName: [[spoiler:Epimetheus]] screams [[spoiler:Algus']] name with fury after [[spoiler:being tricked by him in the good ending.]]
* SealedEvilInACan: The gorgons are demonic creatures who are trapped inside the Tears of the Earth. They can escape from their prison if they become powerful enough, allowing them to wreak as much havoc as they want, and this is the goal of the gorgons in the Tower of Serpents.
* SecretCharacter: In addition to the main trio, two more characters can be added to the team: Bram the hunter and Zeek the merchant.
* ShoutOut:
** Arias greatly resembles the hero from ''VideoGame/DragonQuestI''.
** The deal that reduces the amount of knockback you suffer from taking damage is called [[VideoGame/DarkSouls Poise]].
** SecretCharacter Bram plays just like the protagonist of a classic {{VideoGame/Castlevania}} game. His name, by extension, is presumably a reference to Creator/BramStoker.
** The items thrown by Zeek include a coin from ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' and what looks like a UsefulNotes/GameBoy.
** The achievement/trophy for getting Ending 1 is titled "[[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Fly, you fool!]]"
** The Dimensional Mirror is a set of concept art pieces, some of which are references:
*** "'Your poison comes from another tower.'": A re-enactment of the boss fights from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'' with Arias and a cyclops in place of Mario and Bowser.
*** "Burning Emblem": A pastiche of ''Franchise/FireEmblem''.
*** "[[{{VideoGame/Gradius}} Astalius]]: [[VideoGame/RType The Second Lightning]]": Algus as the protagonist of a shoot-em-up game battling Epimetheus in a spaceship.
* StabTheSky: Arias strikes this pose during his "become the hero that I was meant to be" moment in the intro. He does it again when the party is about to enter the final battle, as well as whenever he activates his LastChanceHitPoint skill Lionheart.
* StartOfDarkness: After your first fight with the Black Knight, "insight" becomes available to buy from Epimetheus. It can be bought three times, each of which shows a cutscene explaining how the Knight became what he is.
* ToServeMan: The gorgons see the humans as nothing more than food, which they repeatedly remind the protagonists of.
* VariableMix: A more relaxed variation of the area's music plays in save rooms.
* WombLevel: The Serpent's Path, a cavern of red flesh and blue veins where the heroes must fight beating hearts that fire poison at them. Secret rooms with the same appearance as this area are also scattered throughout the tower.
* WouldHurtAChild: When Kyuli mentions that even the village's children were poisoned by his plan, the Black Knight laughs it off as "a small price to restore purity."
* YearX: The apocalyptic event that precedes the game takes place in Year 21XX.
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