Shadow of the Beast

1. TransientGamer

   May 25, 2016

   10

   Really cool game. Super demanding, you have to learn to play well, but this game is something really special! If you like challenging combatReally cool game. Super demanding, you have to learn to play well, but this game is something really special! If you like challenging combat and a rich world you're happy to revisit repeatedly (the game isn't too big) you'll love it, so just ignore the negative reviews if that sounds like you.… Expand

   • 3 of 3 users found this helpful
2. MajidoRc

   May 18, 2016

   10

   best remake for ever , i play Original this game when im have 4 years old :)
   but please update game and put shadow of the beast original IIbest remake for ever , i play Original this game when im have 4 years old :)
   but please update game and put shadow of the beast original II and III .
   thanks you Sony , thank you Heavy Spectrum :)… Expand

   • 9 of 9 users found this helpful
4. MightyM

   May 17, 2016

   10

   If you play this game mashing the attack button you've failed! The combat is really intricate once you get used to the fact that it's aboutIf you play this game mashing the attack button you've failed! The combat is really intricate once you get used to the fact that it's about considered timing. With the amount of secrets to find and unlock, and all the psygnosis references for old school players, the replay value is high! I've enjoyed going back into the levels and getting better at combat as I discover more. I really don't understand what the low score reviews are talking about, I think they just haven't understood that this is a proper game that requires skill to play. I love it and hope they make a sequel!… Expand

   • 16 of 19 users found this helpful
5. DD64

   Apr 9, 2019

   9

   Shadow of the Beast 2016 is a reimagining of the 1989 hit Platformer of the same name, made exclusively for the PS4. The game streamlines aShadow of the Beast 2016 is a reimagining of the 1989 hit Platformer of the same name, made exclusively for the PS4. The game streamlines a lot of features from the original, such as the openly connected gameworld and the combat mechanics. Beast 2016 is what I consider a "Rhythm beat 'em up". I use that term because the combat is extremely basic, but also extremely rewarding with a steep curve.
   
   You have a standard "heavy" attack, which basically acts as push Square to kill, until you realize that doesn't work on all enemies. You have a dodge roll mechanic that leaves you defenseless if spammed, and then also a stun attack that lets you get some breathing room on one side if you are overrun. There is a skill tree and other abilities, to learn, but that's the core combat mechanics. Like the original, which emphasized timing over spamming an attack button, the meat and potatoes of the combat comes down to how well you can judge an enemies attack and kill them before they attack you. Some enemies have a yellow glow before they attack letting you know the "PERFECT" timing to get down for maximum points. Otherwise, you can just spam square for like the first level and get away with it. After that, blocking and making sure you aren't over run in one corner becomes paramount or you'll quickly die numerous times. Making mistakes constantly and thinking this is just a 1d combat system is a very quick way to meet the death screen over and over, however, patience and virtue is rewarded substantially, allowing you to mow down absolute droves of opponents in one seamless flow of bodies dropping one after the other if you master it. Engaging in an encounter and walking away 15 seconds later after getting all perfects on over 25 enemies non stop is a rush of adrenaline that honestly can't be matched in most other modern games.
   
   In that regard, this reimagining really tries to keep the idea of timing integral to the experience like the original, a commendable ideology by the developer. Really though, besides that, Shadow of the Beast 2016 is just a gem to play. Right from the start you can feel this is a game made with care and attention, made from fans of the original Amiga title to let modern audiences experience the thrill one more time.
   
   Atmosphere is absolutely amazing. Every environment is recreated from the Amiga game with the Unreal 4 engine, which just look stellar. Some liberties are taken, as this is not a "remake", and the modernization of the original games story is well deserved and enjoyable at that. Every location is just dripping with ambiance, even though it's only 6 levels long.
   
   The soundtrack is hit or miss for some people. Personally, I greatly enjoyed the modern soundtrack, as it is dynamic, fitting with whats going on on-screen. Some tracks also incorporate classic Beast tunes into it and it's a delight to hear those parts in some of the tracks.
   
   As an added bonus, the entire original Shadow of the Beast created for the Amiga500 is unlockable as an extra, complete with retrospective article, along with the original Roger Dean artwork piece, the original games soundtrack (which can also be used in the modern game as a toggle option), as well as an option to just watch a playthrough of the original game. This alone makes this game worth it as Shadow of the Beast has not appeared on any other modern console or os ever. Outside of emulation, there's not much in terms of options to play the original game, and this version allows you play with either NTSC (60) or PAL (50) frame options depending on where you are playing from. These options alone show how passionate for this project the developers were.
   
   For 19.99 at release, and available for purchase now for 14.99 on the PSN store, Shadow of the Beast is a great modernization of a classic platformer that is notorious for it's difficulty. Modern combat mechanics, the same ethereal atmosphere, and similar soundtrack make this a really great game to just turn on and get lost in. Multiple play-throughs are encouraged for the unlockable content and multiple endings in the game. If you like platformers, or just really love games with unique atmospheres and mechanics, you really won't be disappointed with it.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. kraster

   May 17, 2016

   8

   This game is nowhere near as bad as the negative reviews would have you believe. The presentation is top notch with excellent visual designThis game is nowhere near as bad as the negative reviews would have you believe. The presentation is top notch with excellent visual design and a great soundtrack. Combat is deeper than would first appear. The whole point of the combat is to rack up high scores so simply mashing the attack button will yield a low score.
   High scores allow you to purchase upgrades and other unlockables and also give you bragging rights on the leader boards. There are also lots of branching paths, different endings and secrets that add a great deal of replayability to the game. There are a few flaws that have been mentioned. Platforming is quite clunky (but not downright awful). Some of the scenery gets in the way of combat and the actual rhythm of combat takes a little getting used to because it's not adequately explained. Overall though it's a very good game at a very good price.… Expand

   • 11 of 14 users found this helpful
7. newb

   Apr 24, 2022

   8

   Shadow of the beast is fun platformer with a nice story. Even though I never played the original I enjoyed the variety of puzzels, exploringShadow of the beast is fun platformer with a nice story. Even though I never played the original I enjoyed the variety of puzzels, exploring the maps, trying to get too scores on each map, and the general combat. While this isn't a full blown 60$ game I don't think it ever set out to be so if you find this for 15-20$ grab it and enjoy.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. partyintheback

   May 19, 2016

   1

   This ISN'T Shadow of the Beast. As a fan of the two games on the Sega Genesis, this is absolutely nothing like those games. This feels moreThis ISN'T Shadow of the Beast. As a fan of the two games on the Sega Genesis, this is absolutely nothing like those games. This feels more like a generic hack & slash with little to no difficulty. This should've just been called something else since it's NOT Shadow of the Beast.… Expand

   • 2 of 27 users found this helpful

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