Gaming Remembrance #5 - Shadow of the Beast

 Introduction: Shadow of the Beast is a side-scrolling platform computer game produced by Reflections Interactive and published by Psygnosis in 1989. The original version was released for the Commodore Amiga, but the game has been ported to many other systems. The original Amiga release cost £35, an unheard of price for a video game in that era, but it did include a T-shirt in the box, that had a print of the box's artwork on.

Psygnosis had published numerous side scrollers with high quality graphics prior to the release of Shadow of the Beast (most notably Obliterator). Shadow of the Beast, however, was considered revolutionary because its graphics, with many more colours on screen and up to twelve levels of parallax scrolling backdrops, were of a level rarely if ever seen before in action games. It was also notable for its atmospheric score composed by David Whittaker that used high-quality instrument samples.

The first game's story is about a man named Aarbron who was kidnapped as a child and corrupted through magic into a monstrous warrior-servant for the evil beast lord Maletoth. The creature's memory of his human life returns when he watches a man being executed, whom he later recognizes as his father. This prompts Aarbron to seek revenge on Maletoth.

The box artwork of the game, like many Psygnosis releases of the time, was created by fantasy artist Roger Dean, in a style reminiscent of his Yes album cover artwork.
Most reviews were highly positive, although reviewers complained that the game was too difficult and that the game suffered from a focus on style over substance. Regardless, it became a hit and spawned two sequels. Because the game was built for the Amiga's powerful graphics and sound capabilities, ports on other gaming platforms are generally considered less attractive by fans of the game, and such, make the Amiga version the most desired, or 'definitive' version

This game was a real stand out back in 1989 when it was released. The graphics and music were out of this world at the time (probably still is).
I was totally mesmerized by this game with it's weird levels, monsters and feel to it.
The game was very hard and I never finished it without cheating. With the cheat on it only takes around 20 mins to finish this game haha.
Over 20 years later I still love the music to the game and I don't mind playing it again here and there. Shadow of the beast 2 and 3 were also very good especially 3. The first one just has that music and character that is just classic and special.