Shadow of the Beast: The Monster that Shaped the Amiga
Released in 1989 on the Amiga, Shadow of the Beast is still a video game landmark. Developed by Reflections Interactive and published by Psygnosis, this action/platform game both amazed and frustrated a whole generation of gamers with its breathtaking technical achievement and formidable difficulty.
A dark and bewitching universe
You play the role of Aarbron, a warrior who discovers that he has been transformed into a beast by Lord Maletoth. Driven by a thirst for vengeance, he travels through a nightmarish world populated by strange creatures, in an artistic style strongly influenced by the works of Moebius and H. R. Giger.
What strikes you from the very first seconds is the atmosphere. The 13-level parallax scrolling graphics were revolutionary for their time. The soundtrack, by David Whittaker, blends tribal percussion and mystical melodies to create a totally immersive experience.
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Demanding, almost ruthless gameplayShadow of the Beast is often cited for its extreme difficulty. Enemies come at you from all sides, traps abound and life points disappear at breakneck speed. The slightest misstep is fatal. It’s an unforgiving game… but one that rewards perseverance. |
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A cult legacy
There have been several sequels to the game (Shadow of the Beast II and Shadow of the Beast III), as well as a remake on PS4 in 2016, with more accessible gameplay while respecting the original aesthetic. For many, Shadow of the Beast symbolises the artistic and technical power of the microcomputers of the late 80s.
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In conclusion
If you’re a fan of retro-gaming or simply curious to discover a video game classic, Shadow of the Beast deserves your attention. It’s not just a game, it’s a sensory experience, a piece of videogame history that has come down through the decades with its aura intact.