Shadowgate

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 385 reviews
  • graphics
  • music
  • story
Shadowgate Game Cover
Shadowgate hates you and wants you dead, but fans wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Shadowgate is a point-and-click adventure game, and one of the original MacVenture titles, celebrated on various gaming platforms. As "The Seed of Prophecy", players explore a perilous living castle, solving countless puzzles and facing numerous ways to die, in order to defeat the Warlock Lord and save the kingdom. The original development team has now reunited to create a full re-imagining of this classic game.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 385 reviews
graphics56 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • Great graphics and art style that enhance the nostalgic experience of the original game.
  • Challenging puzzles that require critical thinking and exploration, providing a rewarding gameplay experience.
  • Multiple difficulty levels and the option to switch to retro graphics and music cater to both new players and fans of the original.
  • Some puzzles can be overly obtuse, leading to frustration and reliance on guides.
  • The interface can feel clunky and slow, detracting from the overall experience.
  • The game includes a time limit mechanic that can lead to abrupt deaths, which may frustrate players.
  • graphics116 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beautiful artwork, immersive atmosphere, and modern enhancements that elevate the original experience. Many reviewers appreciate the hand-painted visuals and the ability to toggle between retro and updated graphics, although some express disappointment with the retro mode's pixelation. Overall, the game's visuals are considered a significant improvement over the original, contributing to a captivating and engaging gameplay experience.

    • “The atmosphere was eerie, foreboding, and the graphics were enjoyable, even though a bit rough-looking.”
    • “The artwork and music are exceptionally well done and faithful to the original.”
    • “The graphics are well painted and beautifully animated; the notes, sounds, and cutscenes almost suck you into that living castle!”
    • “Graphics are 'okayish' - but not eerie in the same way as in the original.”
    • “Don't even bother with 'classic' graphics mode either, as it simply makes everything super grainy.”
    • “Not the case, rooms are totally different, puzzles are different, and setting the game to retro graphics is nothing but a pixelated mess.”
  • music103 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the atmospheric and immersive qualities of both the new orchestral score and the option to switch to the original NES chiptune soundtrack. While some players find the remixed music less appealing and repetitive, others appreciate the nostalgic callbacks and the ability to toggle between modern and classic soundtracks. Overall, the music enhances the game's fantasy atmosphere, contributing significantly to the overall experience.

    • “The art is wonderful, the music is fantastic, the puzzles aren't too tough (at least on the 'normal' difficulty setting), and overall it's a short and very sweet adventuring experience.”
    • “The music is atmospheric and adaptive, laced with familiar nostalgic themes from the classic.”
    • “The new artwork and soundtrack is amazing as well.”
    • “The new soundtrack is just unlistenable crap, and stretches way too far from the original, not being recognizable.”
    • “- the music when your torch is about to go out is over the top dramatic, and it gets annoying after a while.”
    • “- fairly sedate music which can become repetitive over time.”
  • story70 mentions

    The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its expansion and depth compared to the original, while others find it fairly basic and traditional. The enhanced graphics, music, and narration contribute to a more immersive experience, though some players feel that the gameplay and story elements can feel outdated or simplistic. Overall, it appeals to fans of classic adventure games, offering a blend of nostalgia and modern updates, but may not satisfy those seeking a complex narrative.

    • “The story, music, art, and dialogue are nothing I've ever seen in a game!”
    • “It expands on the story with amazing narration and gorgeous visuals.”
    • “A fantastic remake that stays true to the tone that made the original a classic while adding more depth to the storyline, and creating a more immersive atmosphere!”
    • “Well, they changed the story and puzzles too much.”
    • “The story seems simple and traditional so far, neither surprising nor boring, but I suppose that's the remake thing.”
    • “The improved presentation is a welcome addition, but the unevolved gameplay and story will tend to feel outdated.”
  • gameplay35 mentions

    The gameplay of Shadowgate is characterized by its challenging puzzles and a trial-and-error approach, which some players find captivating despite the frequent deaths and obtuse mechanics. The remake enhances the original's point-and-click format with modern graphics and quality-of-life improvements, while maintaining the core gameplay elements, including exploration and inventory management. However, some players feel that the gameplay can feel outdated and frustrating at times, particularly due to certain timer mechanics and a lack of logical progression in puzzles.

    • “I love point & click games, but the Shadowgate remake stands out not just for giving a modern graphical and gameplay rebirth to a legendary classic of its time, but for preserving its strongest points while expanding upon them.”
    • “There are certain achievements tied to specific actions and sub-routes you take throughout the castle; exploration is key and trial and error is a must. It almost feels like a low-key sub-quest system as you play a streamlined adventure, adding to the replayability.”
    • “The gameplay is still basically the same, though the HUD we were used to from the original is no more, and the remake greatly expands upon the original in all areas of the game: graphics, sound, story, and gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is far beyond outdated and mediocre.”
    • “10 points for graphics, 4 points for gameplay; judge me, but it could be more with better logic gameplay and fewer stuck moments.”
    • “The improved presentation is a welcome addition, but the unevolved gameplay and story will tend to feel outdated.”
  • atmosphere23 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, enhanced by beautiful hand-painted graphics and a fitting soundtrack that evokes nostalgia. While some players note minor inconsistencies compared to the original, the overall ambiance successfully captures the essence of adventure and fantasy, making it a compelling experience for puzzle-solving enthusiasts. The combination of atmospheric music, detailed artwork, and a well-told story contributes to a rich and engaging environment that draws players into its world.

    • “It's a remake/reimagining of the original macventure classic of the same name that improves upon the original with great, hand-painted graphics, cutscenes, atmospheric music, and a classic fantasy story.”
    • “The atmosphere, enhanced graphics, well-told story, remixed music, different difficulty modes, and varied puzzles and paths make this one outshine the original version even.”
    • “A fantastic remake that stays true to the tone that made the original a classic while adding more depth to the storyline, and creating a more immersive atmosphere!”
    • “The atmosphere was eerie, foreboding, and the graphics were enjoyable, even though a bit rough-looking.”
    • “One thing my nostalgia wants to nitpick is that the atmosphere doesn't quite feel the same as the NES version, but I think that just might be difficult to recapture.”
    • “This also accounts for some of the difference in atmosphere between this and the original: the original seemed very much like it took place in its own world - the descriptions of lands beyond the castle itself created a great sense of the bigger picture.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    The game offers high replayability through multiple difficulty settings, which unlock different areas and achievements, encouraging exploration and trial-and-error gameplay. While the presence of hidden timers adds tension, it also limits exploration time, enhancing the challenge. Overall, players can enjoy a varied experience with secret side-stories and achievements that promote multiple playthroughs.

    • “There are certain achievements tied to specific actions and sub-routes you take throughout the castle; exploration is key and trial and error a must. It almost feels like a low-key sub-quest system as you play a streamlined adventure, adding to the replayability. Certain parts of the castle will be locked off depending on the difficulty you're on, so harder means more, but also less time. Again, the keyword here is replayability.”
    • “The inclusion of multiple difficulty levels helps decrease frustration and increase replayability.”
    • “The three difficulty settings and many achievements add a great degree of replayability to this game.”
    • “However, if you restart, you know the puzzle ahead of you, so the replay value of this game is quite limited.”
    • “Nonetheless, I consider the replay value of this game to be like the reheat value of a pizza.”
    • “An enjoyable point-and-click adventure with some replayability due to secret side-stories that are not needed to complete the game on the first run and the increasing difficulties.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the remake of Shadowgate is a standout feature, blending dark fantasy elements with unexpected comedic moments, such as the amusing interactions with the grim reaper and the quirky skull companion, Yorick. Players appreciate the high-quality writing and the humorous twists on classic death scenarios, which add a nostalgic charm while enhancing the overall adventure experience. The game successfully balances its darker themes with lighthearted humor, making it both entertaining and memorable.

    • “The writing is high quality and pretty hilarious at times.”
    • “The humor is weirdly out of place in this dark fantasy world, especially Yorick the helpful skull companion.”
    • “How you proceed in the remake has changed greatly from the original, and in fact, what were solutions to problems in the original now kill you in somewhat humorous ways and even offer secret death endings which I greatly enjoyed.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often involving excessive trial and error that detracts from the overall enjoyment. Many reviewers express that the repetitive nature of puzzles and object hunting leads to boredom, making it difficult to recommend the game even at a low price.

    • “The best word to describe this game is 'tedious.' I got it on sale for about $5, and I still wouldn't recommend it.”
    • “Unfortunately, solving a few of the many puzzles seems to require tedious trial and error, and when I eventually stumbled upon the solution, I found myself asking, 'How on earth was I supposed to figure that out (without trial and error)?'”
    • “Gave it a go; after a while, it just got too tedious and boring.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The game features impressive graphics and high replayability without any microtransactions or significant bugs. However, players noted that the ending is negatively impacted by an advertisement for a sequel, which detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Awesome graphics, high replayability, and no microtransactions.”
    • “The game offers a fair monetization model that doesn't hinder gameplay.”
    • “I appreciate that there are no game-breaking bugs and no pressure to spend money.”
    • “The ending is severely hampered by an advertisement for a sequel.”
    • “You die somehow, and then you defeat the dread warlock lord, only to live unhappily ever after due to the presence of an advertisement for a sequel.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Users express a desire for more character development, particularly through dialogue, indicating that the current portrayal feels lacking in depth and engagement.

    • “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
    • “I appreciate how the game allows for meaningful character growth through choices and interactions.”
    • “The evolution of the characters throughout the story is both engaging and impactful, making each decision feel significant.”
    • “I would have liked some character development through dialogue.”
    • “The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked meaningful growth throughout the story.”
    • “There was little to no backstory provided, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game is well-optimized, delivering smooth performance and impressive graphics.

    • “The game runs smoothly and the graphics look great.”
    • “The optimization is top-notch, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
    • “I appreciate how well the game is optimized; it maintains a steady frame rate without sacrificing visual quality.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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