Beyond Shadowgate
Last updated: 2026-02-12
- True sequel to Shadowgate
- Great music and soundtrack
- Engaging and challenging puzzles
- Retro graphics with modern improvements
- Puzzle design issues and shortcomings
- Game can be overly difficult
Emotions
Players feel nostalgic due to the game's strong ties to the original Shadowgate on the NES, including its story, graphics, music, and atmosphere. The game's callbacks to the old point-and-click adventure games from the 80s, along with its puzzles and references to other MacVenture games, evoke memories of childhood and the classic gaming experience.
The excitement stems from the game's immersive lore, puzzles, and the anticipation of discovering what lies behind specific doors. Players are also thrilled about the modern design decisions, the game's quality, and the developer's dedication, which makes the game hard to put down.
Joy is derived from the game's mix of nostalgia and new elements, making it enjoyable for both retro and modern audiences. The gameplay, reminiscent of the original but more user-friendly, along with great music and a wonderful NES-style aesthetic, contributes to a highly enjoyable experience.
Players feel satisfied with the game's distinct areas, unique musical themes, and its balance between nostalgia and modern quality-of-life improvements. The game's length and the experience of discovering new details and text also contribute to this satisfaction.
Admiration comes from the game's excellent visuals, the protagonist Del, and the overall joy of playing. It is seen as the absolute best thing fans of the original Shadowgate could hope for.
Verdict
Mostly positive
Summary
Positive 96% · Negative 4%. Score: 4 / 100
Positives:
- The game is a continuation and official sequel to the original Shadowgate, capturing the essence and style of the NES classic. It is considered a loving tribute and a worthy successor that fans of the original have long awaited.
- The game's music and soundtrack are highly praised for being close to the original and for their high quality. The soundtrack is considered incredible and a standout feature.
- The game offers a variety of puzzles that are well-designed, challenging, and satisfying to solve. These puzzles are a highlight of the gameplay experience.
- The game features excellent retro graphics and a charming retro-inspired art style that evokes the nostalgia of the original NES game. The visuals are praised for their authenticity and appeal.
- Players report having a great time playing the game, describing it as fantastic and a joy to play. The gameplay is highlighted as a major strength.
Negatives:
- The puzzles in the game are either too obvious or too obscure, and some of them are frustrating or make no sense. There are also issues with object combination puzzles and specific actions required for puzzles that can be missed.
- The music in the game is not as memorable or iconic as the original, and it lacks the horror and heartwarming themes that made the original stand out. Additionally, the music lacks urgency.
- The game is more concerned with being meta than being good, and it goes off the rails in some parts. The pacing is uneven, and the game feels labored with traversal. There are also issues with the order of operations and stretch goals baked into the main game.
- Item management and descriptions are not helpful, and there are issues with door interactions and fan service segments. The game also lacks voice acting and has difficult English text.
- The game offers a few gotcha-moments and head-scratchers, and players can get stuck in various parts of the game. Some screens contain obstacles that may end in premature death.
Gameplay:
- The game is a classic point-and-click adventure with puzzle-solving mechanics and a text-heavy gameplay style. It features a large number of rooms and areas to explore, more than other games in the genre.
- The game includes a variety of puzzles that require thinking and occasional out-of-the-box solutions. Some puzzles have more than one solution and rarely require large leaps in logic.
- The game features retro 8-bit graphics and chip tunes, similar to the original, but also includes modern quality-of-life improvements and modernized graphics.
- The game offers multiple endings, with four different endings based on the choices made by the player throughout the game. There are multiple paths to reach these endings.
- The game has a dark, mysterious, and slightly scary atmosphere with dark sarcastic humor. It features creepy moments and scares, contributing to an engaging exploration experience.
Performance:
- Many players reported that the game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs. This indicates a stable and well-optimized game.
- The game works perfectly on different devices such as Lenovo Legion Go and Steam Deck, indicating good compatibility and optimization across multiple platforms.
- Players appreciated the good control scheme and clear text, which enhances the overall gaming experience by making it easy to navigate and understand.
- Some players noted that if the mouse isn't working, unplugging the controller can resolve the issue. This suggests a potential conflict between controller and mouse inputs.
Recommendations:
- This game is highly recommended for those who are fans of the original MacVenture series or similar titles. It is considered a must-pick for Shadowgate fans and a no-brainer for those who enjoyed the original games.
- The game is worth the time for fans of retro adventure games and is recommended for those who enjoy the genre. It offers a fun experience for retro gamers.
- The game is highly recommended for fans of adventure games or Choose Your Own Adventure style stories. It is considered a must-have for all adventure game enthusiasts.
- The game is suggested for newcomers to the genre, making it accessible for those who are new to adventure games.
- It is highly recommended to play the first Shadowgate, Deja Vu, and Uninvited games before playing Beyond Shadowgate to fully appreciate the experience.
Miscellaneous:
- Players bought the game on both GoG and Steam for different benefits.
- The DLC includes a guidebook similar to 'Nintendo Power', adding significant value.
- The game runs smoothly and efficiently on the Steam Deck.
- The game's small file size of 20mb is impressive and appreciated.
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