Beyond Shadowgate

About

"Beyond Shadowgate" is a point-and-click adventure game, serving as a sequel to the classic "Shadowgate". It offers a large world that is over five times larger than its predecessor, with vibrant graphics and modern design sensibilities. Players can choose to play with a controller or by mouse and key binds, reliving the nostalgia of the original 8-bit version with updated gameplay mechanics. The story follows 35 years after the events of Shadowgate, where players must navigate through the living castle Shadwood to save the world once again.

Genres & Tags

Adventure

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 435 reviews

music84 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

Beyond Shadowgate is a delightful return to the world of Shadowgate, capturing the nostalgia and charm of the original NES game while expanding its gameplay and story.
The game features clever puzzles, engaging exploration, and a captivating story with multiple endings, making it a rewarding experience for both new players and fans of the original.
The graphics and music are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersing players in the adventure.

Some players found the puzzles to be hard to grasp, with not enough hints provided, leading to frustration in certain areas.
The game can feel a bit linear at times, with some backtracking required that may disrupt the flow of exploration.
A few players expressed disappointment with the lack of autosave features, which can lead to significant progress loss if not managed carefully.

music
150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The music in the game has been widely praised for its nostalgic chiptune style, effectively capturing the essence of the original Shadowgate while incorporating modern enhancements. Composed by Orie Falconer, the soundtrack features distinct themes for different environments, creating an immersive atmosphere that resonates with both old fans and new players. Overall, the music is described as excellent, engaging, and a significant highlight of the game's experience.
- “The music is perfect, and the graphics are perfect.”
- “The soundtrack was exceptional, and I found myself parking in new areas of the game to just let it play on more than one occasion.”
- “The music is fantastic and varies from room-to-room, environment-to-environment.”
- “Same as the reboot, it is great but it lacks what made the original NES game so heartwarming. I mean they tried, I can't deny that they tried, but nothing landed 100%, not the art, not the music. I dare you to play the game and end up remembering one single track after a few days. I am still humming the music of the NES version 30 years later.”
- “The serviceable music, I think, is lacking a touch of ambiance, the echoey notes from the NES game (or, rather, the pauses between them) that made the dampness of Shadowgate's halls audible.”
- “The music is on par with the OG Shadowgate, lots of Easter eggs for Shadowgate & you visit both uninvited and deja vu worlds.”
story
114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
72%
3%
The story of "Beyond Shadowgate" unfolds 35 years after the original, seamlessly connecting to its predecessor while inviting players to engage in a rich, imaginative narrative filled with humor and dark undertones. It features a captivating main storyline with multiple endings influenced by player choices, alongside engaging side quests that pay homage to classic games. While familiarity with the original enhances the experience, newcomers can still enjoy the game's depth and charm without prior knowledge.
- “If you take one thing away from reading this review it should be this: Beyond Shadowgate is the evolution of storytelling that made me fall in love with games to begin with.”
- “The game offers clever puzzles, engaging exploration, and a captivating story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.”
- “This game perfectly captures not only the feel and nostalgia of those games, but also adds a fresh layer of modern gameplay with new game mechanics, an extensive story with multiple endings (the way you solve puzzles matters!) and a cast of characters both new and returning that'll take you right back to the golden era of point-and-click adventure games.”
- “These parts of the game were loosely tied to the main story, but they made me lose track of the overall plot and end goals.”
- “If you got frustrated with the original Shadowgate or its modern remaster, you'll likely experience the same headaches as the game does very little handholding (only a hint on what you're working on story-wise).”
- “I had high hopes for a Shadowgate story, but this game was just a huge disappointment to me.”
graphics
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
44%
4%
The graphics of "Beyond Shadowgate" are widely praised for their charming retro-inspired aesthetic, effectively blending enhanced "8-bit" visuals with modern design elements. Players appreciate the detailed art style, vibrant color palettes, and immersive atmosphere that evoke nostalgia for classic NES games while offering a fresh experience. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant highlight, contributing to the game's engaging and nostalgic point-and-click adventure feel.
- “Its beautiful hand-drawn graphics and atmospheric soundtrack create an immersive experience that’s both nostalgic and fresh.”
- “The atmosphere is unique and stakes its claim with a prominent art style that draws the player deeper; almost forcing you to look closer at the environment than you may have otherwise.”
- “Visuals are excellently rendered and without the palette limitations of the NES.”
- “After a very short introduction, an obscure eighties adventure interface and pixel graphics with a few colors appeared before my eyes.”
- “The game presentation is very much NES Shadowgate-like, with limitations to graphics being removed, making things clearer with a few modern animation elements added in to the screen transitions and events.”
- “Everything from the interface, the graphics, and music all feels like upgraded versions of the original Kemco Seika games.”
gameplay
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
72%
4%
The gameplay of "Beyond Shadowgate" is praised for its inviting mechanics that are easy to grasp, making it accessible for newcomers while still appealing to fans of the original. It successfully blends retro charm with modern quality-of-life improvements, such as the removal of frustrating mechanics like torch management, and introduces new elements like timed events that add urgency without overwhelming players. Overall, the game captures the essence of classic point-and-click adventures while offering a rich, engaging experience with a compelling story and multiple endings.
- “Beyond Shadowgate is a fantastic adventure that masterfully blends old-school charm with modern gameplay elements.”
- “The gameplay is fantastic and the game is massive, with really good nods to the other games.”
- “This game perfectly captures not only the feel and nostalgia of those games, but also adds a fresh layer of modern gameplay with new game mechanics, an extensive story with multiple endings (the way you solve puzzles matters!) and a cast of characters both new and returning that'll take you right back to the golden era of point-and-click adventure games.”
- “My main issue with the original game was the torch mechanic.”
- “I fondly remember the first game (on NES) but I always quit it out of frustration because the torch mechanic sucks.”
- “Unlike the original Shadowgate, there's no persistent 'ticking clock' mechanic (like torch management) to worry about so you can play at your own speed with only timed events to throw some urgency into your quest.”
atmosphere
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
38%
9%
The atmosphere of "Beyond Shadowgate" is praised for its authentic 8-bit point-and-click experience, enhanced by modern graphics and sound while maintaining the nostalgic feel of its predecessor. Players appreciate the game's unique art style, immersive hand-drawn graphics, and atmospheric soundtrack, which evoke a sense of nostalgia while also offering fresh elements. However, some critics note that it doesn't fully capture the original game's atmosphere, despite its strong world-building and engaging gameplay mechanics.
- “The atmosphere is unique and stakes its claim with a prominent art style that draws the player deeper; almost forcing you to look closer at the environment than you may have otherwise.”
- “Its beautiful hand-drawn graphics and atmospheric soundtrack create an immersive experience that’s both nostalgic and fresh.”
- “So much atmosphere and world building and lore to get lost in!”
- “However, even if it is a bit nostalgic, it really failed to capture the atmosphere of the first game and took liberties that should not have occurred.”
- “While this game may not capture the same atmosphere as the original Shadowgate, Beyond Shadowgate creates something unique that is just as thrilling, if not more, than its predecessor.”
- “It provides an authentic '8-bit' point-and-click experience while running on modern hardware without emulation, which results in slightly enhanced assets compared to what would be possible on a NES in addition to mouse and keyboard, widescreen, etc. However, it really failed to capture the atmosphere of the first game.”
humor
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its dry, edgy wit and frequent, gory death descriptions that often elicit laughter, making the experience both entertaining and darkly comedic. Players appreciate the snarky dialogue and clever references, which enhance the nostalgic feel reminiscent of the original Shadowgate, while the abundance of humorous deaths and self-parodying elements contribute significantly to its charm. Overall, the game successfully combines rich, hilarious writing with engaging gameplay, appealing to fans of the genre.
- “There are laugh-out-loud hilarious moments in this game like the 'death to the philistine' reference, and the game parodies itself brilliantly in that 'the story takes place 35 years after the events of the last story' in-game just as in reality.”
- “From the snarky dialogue to the hilarious deaths, clicking move and throwing myself off random edges to certain doom never got old.”
- “The deaths and funny/snarky writing are a big part of the appeal for many of us who loved Shadowgate, Uninvited, and the Deja Vu games, as well as similar graphic adventures.”
replayability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game offers notable replayability through multiple endings and varying outcomes based on player choices, enhancing the experience for those who enjoy exploration and challenge. While it may not match the replay value of similar titles due to fewer difficulty options and playstyles, it still provides a nostalgic journey with hidden secrets that encourage players to revisit it. Overall, the combination of challenging puzzles and engaging music contributes to its appreciated replay value.
- “The puzzles are challenging, yet if you pay attention, you'll have all the answers you need. The music is fantastic, and the replay value is very much appreciated.”
- “There are several endings to view, depending on how you approach the final foe, so some replayability is offered.”
- “Not quite as replayable as the Shadowgate remake due to its lack of difficulty options or alternate playstyles, but if you want a more pure NES game experience, you really can't go wrong with this.”
- “Furthermore, the game has multiple endings and changes in the outcomes along the way depending on how you play, so it has some replayability as well.”
- “There are also several endings to view, depending on how you approach the final foe, so some replayability is offered.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits mixed responses; while some players experience genuine heartfelt moments that resonate deeply, others feel that it lacks the charm and lasting impact of the original NES version, particularly in its music and overall emotional depth. The humor can sometimes overshadow the more serious themes, leading to a tonal imbalance that affects the overall emotional experience.
- “I cried.”
- “I know that one was an outlier and the tone here is in line with the original: often a little hoary, as you play a fenling rascal that likes 'buxom ladies' and the dadness of it all can be a bit much, but then there are some really heartfelt moments and not everything is treated as a joke – except death maybe.”
- “Same as the reboot, it is great but it lacks what made the original NES game so heartwarming. I mean they tried, I can't deny that they tried, but nothing landed 100%. Not the art, not the music. I dare you to play the game and end up remembering one single track after a few days; I am still humming the music of the NES version 30 years later.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The reviews highlight that the game's optimization is satisfactory, with users noting a positive experience regarding its overall performance, including visuals and audio. However, specific details on any performance issues or enhancements were not provided.
- “The look, feel, performance, and sound of the game are exceptional.”
- “The optimization of the game enhances the overall experience, making it smooth and enjoyable.”
- “The performance improvements really elevate the gameplay, allowing for a seamless experience.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be enjoyable, noting that the achievement set is not overly tedious. Many express satisfaction with their experience after spending a few days completing puzzles and finishing the game.
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report mixed stability experiences, noting that while the PC versions are generally stable, the NES versions exhibit some bugs that affect gameplay.
- “I own them on Steam now, both the PC versions and the NES versions (though that one's a bit buggy).”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users feeling that it detracts from the overall experience and tone, which may not be adequately conveyed in promotional materials.
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development is a notable highlight, with even supporting characters, such as the navi, experiencing growth throughout the adventure, enhancing the overall narrative depth.
- “Even your Navi goes through character development as the adventure progresses.”

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Beyond Shadowgate
$17.99
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7h Median play time

7h Average play time

7-7h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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