Note: this was played on the Classic Controller layout!

Pandora's Tower is a incredibly unique and underrated game, utilizing the Wiimote (or Classic Controller) to satisfying effect with a mix between simple yet satisfying weapon combos and a versatile and elaborate chain for use in everything from dungeon puzzles to boss fights.

Struck by a curse that slowly transforms her into a monster, the woman Elena requires that you (Aeron) traverse thirteen mysterious towers to harvest beast flesh and eventually the flesh of powerful master beasts in order to lift her curse. As the flesh devouring continues something feels off, but Aeron will have no choice but to continue his quest to keep Elena human...

Aeron explores each tower bit by bit (starts off linearly but opens up) where each dungeon has several Chains hidden that lock up the door to the master boss of each tower. The player can run through the tower as long as it takes before Elena's transformation starts to take place, and having fresh flesh on handy for each run is critical to survival. Along with flesh, the player can talk to Elena and give her gifts to raise an affinity meter that will help provide the best ending.

While in the towers, the player can use three different weapons with timed button presses to do additional combos (and even more combos when upgraded). Since this is an RPG, Aeron can level up and find/craft new equipment to stay alive in each tower. The chain can also be used for a dizzying amount of attacks - binding, linking enemies, pull damaging specific enemy parts, charge pulling for huge damage, quickly poking enemies, throwing them around to attack other enemies, and more. The chain is also critical to swing around, attach to ledges, and open certain doors. The Classic Controller allowed me to do this with a simple movement of a stick and felt very intuitive.

The high point for the chain might be the bosses - each one can only be taken out by the chain, with a meter that the player has to "pull" off before they can harvest the master flesh. Moving weak points, pulling weak points into place, regenerating armor, taking out protective drones - there's a surprising amount of creativity in each fight and while some are a little frustrating the right combination of items and experimentation can help Aeron survive.

Pandora's Tower's visual design represents the best of the Wii era - moody lighting, gorgeous and gothic architecture, and a high contrast between romantic beauty and fleshy horror. Audio blends some classic compositions (was that Dies Irae?) with familiar-sounding JRPG music. It ends up more exciting than generic, with enough repetition to become an earworm without getting dull.

Pandora's Tower is worth it just to play around with the chain but across its 15-20 hour runtime I found an incredibly innovative and satisfying journey, even if I didn't get the best ending! Just a couple more dresses to gift...