**Curse of the Dead Gods** is an action roguelike video game developed by Passtech Games and published by Focus Home Interactive. It was released on the PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch in early 2021, receiving positive ratings from players and critics. The game takes players on a thrilling journey through a cursed temple filled with treacherous traps, deadly enemies, and mysterious artifacts. As players delve deeper into the temple, they must make strategic decisions to overcome challenges and unlock ancient secrets. One of the standout features of Curse of the Dead Gods is its unique rating system. After completing a run, players are given a rating based on their performance.
"Today, in dedicating this marker to commemorate the trial of Widow Krieger, we seek to remind ourselves and future generations of the dangers of seeking to harass and harm our neighbors, literal and figurative, simply because they may be different than us," said Franklin, the museum curator. "Let us be wiser and better than those who came before us."
Today, in dedicating this marker to commemorate the trial of Widow Krieger, we seek to remind ourselves and future generations of the dangers of seeking to harass and harm our neighbors, literal and figurative, simply because they may be different than us, said Franklin, the museum curator. In the next sixty-five years, the park board spent less than 1,000 on improvements for the park, however the city spent 13,000 in repairs after lightning struck the tower in 1955 and caused structural damage to the upper portion.
After completing a run, players are given a rating based on their performance. This rating takes into account factors such as time taken, amount of damage taken, and number of enemies defeated. The better the rating, the more rewards and upgrades players receive.
Tower Hill Park Home to the Witch’s Hat water tower, the natural splendor of Tower Hill, with its wooded, hilly terrain, has been popular with park goers for over a century.
Maintenance is increasing at all neighborhood parks, thanks to additional annual funding from the 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan (NPP20). This initiative also funds ongoing rehabilitation and major project to restore neighborhood parks and help address racial and economic equity.
Park Details
Size: 4.54 acres
Neighborhood: Prospect Park – East River Road
Service Area: Southeast
The Water Tower
Visible from miles around, the “Witch’s Hat” water tower was designed by Frederick W. Cappelen and constructed on one of the highest points in the city. Completed in 1914, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. Capable of holding 150,000 gallons of water, the tower served area residents until 1952.
The 60-foot-tall tower is topped with a 51-foot-tall steeply pitched conical roof of green tiles. The tower’s octagonal-shaped observation deck of Romanesque windows is open one day a year, during the Pratt Ice Cream Social, which is held across the street at the Pratt Community School – typically the first Friday evening after Memorial Day.
Rentals & Permits
Outdoor Use and Event Space: Learn how to reserve park space for corporate events, community celebrations, and more. Application [PDF]
History
Name: The park was formally named St. Anthony Heights by the park board on January 18, 1908. The Committee on Designation and Acquisition of Grounds had recommended on December 23, 1907 that the park be named Tower Hill, but the full board rejected that name. However, acquiescing to a petition from residents of the area, the park board renamed the park Tower Hill on April 19, 1909.
The name refers to a private tower once located on the hill, not the “Witch’s Hat” tower. Anyone who wanted a spectacular view of the city from the tower could climb the steps of the old tower for ten cents. It was demolished before the park board acquired the land. The “Witch’s Hat” water tower was not built until 1913, seven years after the park was acquired and four years after the park was officially re-named. The water tower was not built by the park board, but by the city water department.
Acquisition and Development
Tower Hill was acquired as a park following a petition in late 1905 from residents of the neighborhood. On May 7, 1906 the park board accepted a proposition from the unnamed owner of the property to sell it for $19,500 payable over ten years. The full amount of the purchase price was assessed on property in the neighborhood. The financing terms were approved by the board on May 21, 1906.
In his first annual report as superintendent of parks in 1906, Theodore Wirth noted that the park needed little work. However in 1907, a tennis court was built in the southwest corner of the park, the park’s only level ground.
In his 1908 report, Wirth submitted a plan for the improvement of the park, but noted that the park “will never call for very heavy expenditure for improvements.” His plan included walks to the summit, where he suggested that an observation tower 50-60 feet in height could be built.
The following year Wirth noted that the “steep, abrupt and unsightly gravel banks” along University and Malcolm avenues had been graded to “graceful slopes.” Along with those improvements Tower Hill was added to the park concert schedule for two concerts, which became annual events in the park.
A second tennis court was added to the park in 1912, and backstops were built for both courts. Tennis balls must have rolled forever down the surrounding streets until those backstops were built. Most early tennis courts in the park system were built without backstops. Most were also not provided with nets; players had to bring their own.
Wirth suggested in the 1910 annual report that if a water tower were to be built on Tower Hill, it should be planned to serve as an observatory, too. His reference to a water tower suggests that it was already being discussed at that time.
Three years later, the city council requested permission to build a water tower in the park, one of the highest pieces of ground in the city, and it was completed in 1914 with what Wirth called “a very roomy observation platform” that provided a “magnificent view.”
When the water tower, now called the “Witch’s Hat” for its conical roof, opened in 1914, the city council requested that the park board provide a caretaker for the park so the tower could be open to the public. The park board complied, employing a caretaker at the park five days a week.
After the construction of the tower, Wirth’s prediction that Tower Hill would never require “heavy expenditure” proved true. In the next sixty-five years, the park board spent less than $1,000 on improvements for the park, however the city spent $13,000 in repairs after lightning struck the tower in 1955 and caused structural damage to the upper portion. Other park improvements—laying walks, building retaining walls, and resurfacing tennis courts—were done by federal work-relief crews in the 1930s. The park gained 0.17 acres in 1950 when Malcolm Street was closed.
In 1979, Tower Hill got a bit of attention from the park board when it corrected erosion problems on the steep slopes of the park. More extensive improvements were made to Tower Hill Park in 1995, which resulted in the park winning an award from the Committee on Urban Environment.
In 1996, the neighborhood submitted an application to put the park and water tower in the National Register of Historic Places. The listing was granted in 1997.
The most recent addition to Tower Hill park was the installation of a prairie garden by the park board in 2000, with an agreement that it would be maintained by the Prospect Park Garden Club.
Owing to its steep terrain, Tower Hill is one of the few parks in the city that has remained primarily for passive recreation use, rather than being converted to more active uses. Nearby Luxton Park, a few blocks down the hill, which was acquired in 1912, became the playground for the neighborhood.
In 2011 the park was one of three sites where stingless wasps were released to help combat Emerald Ash Borer. The wasp is a natural enemy of the ash borer.
The tower in the park is now opened one day a year during the Pratt neighborhood picnic.
History through 2008 written by David C. Smith, with updates from 2009 to present written by MPRB.
A witch party was held at Strobridge Park in North Pownal Saturday in commemoration of the only witch trial to occur in Vermont. A "witch walk" processes across Dean Bridge Road as part of the day's festivities, Sept. 16, 2023.
The rating system adds an extra layer of challenge and replayability to the game. It encourages players to strive for perfection and pushes them to improve their skills. It also provides a sense of accomplishment when a high rating is achieved, motivating players to continue playing and exploring the depths of the cursed temple. The Curse of the Dead Gods rating system has been praised for its fairness and accuracy. It consistently rewards skillful play and punishes careless mistakes. This adds a competitive aspect to the game, as players strive to outperform their friends and climb the online leaderboards. Overall, the Curse of the Dead Gods rating system enhances the gameplay experience by creating a sense of progression, incentivizing skillful play, and adding a competitive element. It is a key feature of the game that has contributed to its positive reception among players and critics alike..
Reviews for "Master the Dark Arts: A Rating of Curse of the Dead Gods"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with Curse of the Dead Gods. The gameplay felt repetitive and monotonous, with each run feeling like a carbon copy of the last. The graphics were also underwhelming, lacking in detail and creativity. The story was barely existent, and the characters were forgettable. Overall, I found the game to be lackluster and not worth the hype.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - Curse of the Dead Gods was a complete letdown for me. The combat mechanics were clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to play. The difficulty level was also absurdly high, to the point where it felt unfair and impossible to progress. The overall design of the game was uninspired and generic, lacking any innovation or originality. I regret spending my money on this game and would not recommend it to others.
3. David - 2/5 - I had high hopes for Curse of the Dead Gods, but it fell short of my expectations. The controls were awkward and difficult to get used to, which hindered my enjoyment of the gameplay. The level design also felt repetitive, with little variation or surprises. The narrative was thin and didn't engage me at all. While the game has some potential, it needs significant improvements to be truly enjoyable.