Back in the late 80s, game developers had one goal: make sure kids never actually beat their games. That’s where 8 Eyes comes in—a game that looked at Castlevania and said, “Yeah, but what if it sucked?”
Released in 1988 by Taxan, this game has brutal difficulty, janky sword combat, and a falcon that’s somehow both your best weapon and your biggest liability. It’s gritty, weird, and probably hates you. Let’s break it down.
The Plot – It’s the Apocalypse, Who Cares?
The world is wrecked. Civilization has crumbled. There are eight magic jewels that some warlord dudes stole, and apparently, that’s the problem. You play as Orin, a swordsman on a mission to reclaim them, with your pet falcon, Cutrus, who exists to make your life miserable.
Your mission? Travel to eight castles, beat up their bosses, and take back the jewels so humanity can be saved. Somehow. The game doesn’t really explain that part, because this was the 80s, and we didn’t need a reason to stab things.
Gameplay – Castlevania on Hard Mode
Let’s get one thing straight: 8 Eyes is basically Castlevania with a worse sword and Mega Man-style level selection. You pick which order to tackle the castles, but it won’t help you, because this game will destroy you no matter what.
Combat – Your Sword is Useless
Orin’s sword has the range of a baby carrot and the power of a wet noodle. You’ll swing at enemies, and they’ll just shrug it off and stab you in the face.
Cutrus the Falcon – A Weapon or a Troll?
Your only chance of survival is Cutrus, your falcon sidekick. You can send him out to attack, but half the time, he misses the enemy or just refuses to come back. In co-op mode, a second player can control Cutrus, meaning you now have two people struggling to hit anything.
Brutal Level Design – The Game Wants You Dead
Every level is full of enemies that are faster than you, stronger than you, and programmed to ruin your day. The bosses? Forget about it. They take forever to kill and will obliterate you in seconds if you make a mistake.
Oh, and once you collect all eight jewels, you have to solve a cryptic final puzzle. Get it wrong? Back to the start. That’s right—8 Eyes punishes you for beating it wrong.
Why Didn’t 8 Eyes Become a Classic?
Because it’s mean, unforgiving, and looks just enough like Castlevania to remind you it’s worse. But let’s be real—that’s exactly why it deserves a second look.
1. It’s Too Damn Hard
Even by NES standards, this game is next-level brutal. Controls are stiff, enemies are relentless, and you have to be psychic to beat the final puzzle.
2. The Combat Feels Janky
You want fluid, satisfying combat? Too bad. Orin’s sword barely hits anything, and Cutrus has the IQ of a brick.
3. Castlevania Did It Better
This game wanted to be Castlevania so bad, but Castlevania had better graphics, better music, and a whip that actually worked.
Should You Play It Today?
- If you love NES games that hate you → Yes.
- If you want a hardcore challenge and love weird, obscure games → Yes.
- If you value your sanity and like responsive controls → Absolutely not.
8 Eyes is a fascinating disaster. It’s frustrating, confusing, and borderline unfair—but if you’re the kind of gamer who loves conquering old-school pain fests, this might just be your next obsession.
Did You Ever Beat 8 Eyes?
Let us know in the comments—did you actually finish this game, or did you throw your controller at the screen like a normal person?
🚀 Mothetron is here for real gamers—whether you lived through the 80s and 90s or just appreciate when games didn’t hold your hand. Stay tuned for more retro insanity, forgotten gems, and absolute nightmares like this one.