Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain

 DS
Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain Image
Metascore
45

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

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  • Summary: Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain is an elaborate roleplaying game based on the legendary book series by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone. The ancient Dwarven Keep at Firetop Mountain has been held by the sinister warlock Zagor for decades. Many have tried to plunder theFighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain is an elaborate roleplaying game based on the legendary book series by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone. The ancient Dwarven Keep at Firetop Mountain has been held by the sinister warlock Zagor for decades. Many have tried to plunder the fabled riches hidden deep within the mountain, and none have returned. Only the evil scourge of the warlock and his minions stand in the way of your prize. [Aspyr Media]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 6 out of 10
  1. Digital Chumps
    72
    RPG fans should make it a point to play this sleeper gem. While certainly not perfect, it's quite good and I think it's safe to say it's one of the best RPGs on the platform to date.
  2. Gamer Limit
    70
    Fans of Dark Spire and other old-school dungeon crawlers will find solace, but most gamers will likely quit a few hours in.
  3. Nintendojo
    60
    Taken as a whole, Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain certainly has a lot going for it. Unfortunately, unclear mechanics, uneven difficulty, uncomfortable controls, and some serious glitches and hiccups do a lot of damage to the overall experience.
  4. RPGamer
    40
    The seven to fifteen hours required for completing Fighting Fantasy will be a by-and-large frustrating experience.
  5. Nintendo Power
    40
    It's no fun facing monsters that are suddenly too tough to kill. [Dec 2009, p.89]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Destructoid
    40
    The old school charm quickly wears off and gives way to a game that simply does not want you to have fun. It's absolutely tragic, because I was just starting to really get into it before the game basically slammed the door in my face and said "f..k off." So I fu..ed off.
  7. 1UP
    16
    The DS game doesn't capture any of the magic inherent in Fighting Fantasy's formula. Instead of an adventure packed with mystery and excitement, the series' first videogame provides a dull story and frustrating controls in a generic dungeon crawl wrapper. It's a shame, because I remember enjoying the "Choose Your Own Adventure" style so much as a kid, and I bet that formula could make for a great game.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. MikeT
    Dec 3, 2009
    10
    One of the best RPG games on pocket platform and by far the best 3D RPG. My DS was collecting the dust for 6 months until I got this game. One of the best RPG games on pocket platform and by far the best 3D RPG. My DS was collecting the dust for 6 months until I got this game. Highly recommended!… Expand
  2. Darkspawn677
    May 27, 2022
    10
    This game is amazing they should make all fighting fantasy games like this one the game should also be more like elder scrolls
  4. timmyisme22
    Dec 1, 2009
    9
    A worthwhile play. Short, yet entertaining throughout the whole game. Controls were much better than quite a few games currently out there, A worthwhile play. Short, yet entertaining throughout the whole game. Controls were much better than quite a few games currently out there, but could always use some tuning. Story is fine and opponents, while troublesome when stumbling into instant death, are rare enough that you won't have trouble avoiding that area until you're stronger! If nothing else, just reload the auto-save and leave the room immediately; I've done that without a hitch. All in all, it's a good game. Short as I had stated, yet quite sweet.… Expand
  5. jeffj
    Dec 9, 2009
    9
    Very Good Game! Asking my self why IUP and Nintendo Power gave it a very low score. Their reviews are based only on game controls and game Very Good Game! Asking my self why IUP and Nintendo Power gave it a very low score. Their reviews are based only on game controls and game difficulty! The game actually is quite tough but who would enjoy a very easy game. 1UP said that the controls are very hard but he's just not using the stylus. Very dumb reviewer. All in all, the graphics are amazing and the game is enjoyable!!!… Expand
  6. rebane2001
    Aug 29, 2016
    9
    This is the only real-time first-person dungeon-crawler for the Nintendo DS and oh how great it is.

    This game is hard. Like the old-school    This is the only real-time first-person dungeon-crawler for the Nintendo DS and oh how great it is.

    This game is hard. Like the old-school RPGs.

    But it's still great fun, because even though you die a lot, you can simply respawn in the same room, with a chance for easier enemies, or the ability to escape.

    You don't even need to grind much

    The game feels like the older Elder Scrolls games, but if you liked Oblivion and Skyrim and want such a game for the DS, then this is your best bet.

    The graphics are amazing, for the DS, everything except for the NPC-s are in 3D and the rooms are detailed.

    The lack of any music doesn't disturb me, since there are still ambient sounds and other SFX.

    The controls, while not the best, are still not a reason to not like this game

    I don't see why this game received so much negative reviews, since I still to this day (2016) often play the game, while I have a capable gaming PC with Skyrim and all the other stuff on it.    … Expand
  7. AaronJ
    Oct 21, 2011
    8
    This game is really underrated, and a good example of how reviews don't always tell the whole story. The number of positive user reviews saysThis game is really underrated, and a good example of how reviews don't always tell the whole story. The number of positive user reviews says it all.

    The graphics are actually quite nice with a lot of cool and detailed environments, and although it looks a lot like an ancient PC game, it seems impressive for the DS. There is next to no story, but that didn't bother me. Gameplay was solid, although it could be a little deeper. My main problem is that it's just too short; you could probably conquer it in a single day if you really worked at it. Don't expect to get dozens of hours out of this one.

    I don't think the comparisons to Elder Scrolls are accurate, but it is an old school first person action RPG and it's worth checking out if you're into that kind of thing. It's not perfect, but I had a great time and was addicted for the short time that it lasted. I think a lot of people wrote it off right away without giving it a fair chance, because it does come across as kind of low budget. Stick with it though, you'll come to like it.    … Expand
  8. retrox40
    Dec 8, 2009
    7
    It's a shame there are only two "professional" reviews out for this game, and both of them are rife with inaccurate information. The 1UP It's a shame there are only two "professional" reviews out for this game, and both of them are rife with inaccurate information. The 1UP review in particular is almost criminal. I was shaking my head throughout the entirety of it, wondering if the reviewer had actually played the game for more than 15 or 20 minutes. While certainly nothing groundbreaking, this game is a breath of fresh RPG air for the platform. Anyone who enjoys old-school western-style RPG gaming should give this one a go.… Expand

See all 16 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Most Discussed DS Game of 2009
45
#45 Most Shared DS Game of 2009