NES CHALLENGE - Castelian in 3:46:54 [146/714]
1Puzzle game with great graphics, sound, and design. 3 lives, 3 continues, extra life every 5000 points, so it is very fair in that aspect. The hit box collision detection feels atrocious. The jumping mechanic is near pixel perfect at times and feels like it eats inputs. There is also an automatic stair climb that is detrimental when you just want to bump against a wall.
Clearly there were limited programmers on this job. The circular tower effect is amazing and cannot be understated. The music is catchy and better than it should be. The puzzles can be tricky, but not devastatingly difficult - the lives and limited continues really get you to memorize the early stages so you have time in the later ones. Also the puzzles in the later stages are early on so you have time to figure them out and can usually race to the top. Mistakes can really cost you and then you treat the remaining time on the clock as practice.
It all boils down to the clunky controls at the end of the day. The game is frustrating not due to the puzzles, but the missed jumps and times enemies are flying in the wrong direction or you need them to be on screen to knock you down, but they don't show up. It would have been nice to be able to change their path as well or auto knock yourself down.
I give this game a 5. It's a rental that you might not get through as a kid because of what feels like cheap shots. If the controls were good, I would easily bump it to an 8 and a keeper.