Shadow of the Beast

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Further information: The bazooka graphics glitch needs verifying in both the Japanese and Western Mega Drive versions and moved to Shadow of the Beast/Bugs.

n/a

  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-U/PAL
  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-J
  • Master System

SotB Title.png

ShadowoftheBeast MD JP TitleScreen.png

ShadowoftheBeast SMS Title.png

Shadow of the Beast
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Electronic Arts (US/EU)
Sega Mega Drive
Victor Musical Industries (JP)
Sega Master System
TecMagik
Developer:
Distributor: Tec Toy (BR)
Sega Master System
Electronic Arts (AU)
Sega Mega Drive
Electronic Arts Africa (ZA)
Licensor: Psygnosis
Original system(s): Amiga
Developer(s) of original games: Reflections Interactive
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
Sound Images v1.0
Genre: Action[1], Arcade[2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥8,800 (9,064)8,800e[3] T-60023
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$59.9559.95[5] 709101
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		E195SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
PT 		MDJ0023
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£39.9939.99[9] E195SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
CZ
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Mega Drive
ZA
Sega Master System
EU 		27019-50
Sega Master System
UK 		£34.9934.99[11] 27019-50
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR 		025270
Non-Sega versions

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

Shadow of the Beast, known as Shadow of the Beast: Mashou no Okite (シャドー･オブ･ザ･ビースト 魔性の掟) in Japan, is an action game developed by Reflections Interactive for the Amiga and published by Psygnosis. It was brought to a variety of systems including the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Master System in 1991 and 1992 respectively. It was followed by Shadow of the Beast II and the Amiga-exclusive Shadow of the Beast III.

Story

The player controls the Beast Messenger. Born a human child and kidnapped at a young age by mages who serve the Beast Lord, the Beast Messenger was transformed into a monster and had all his memories wiped to enter a lifetime of servitude. However, suddenly, all his memories return to him, and he now seeks revenge and to escape.

Gameplay

A and C jump. B performs attacks, pressing it while in midair performs a jumpkick. The player has 12 hit points. Losing all of them (gradually or through instant kill attacks/traps) restarts the game as there is no lives system. A bazooka-like weapon can be found later on. A short flying section also exists. The hit detection is very strict; often, the player will run into situations were damage is basically unavoidable, or it's more convenient to take a hit on purpose and use the resulting invincibility to avoid further damage by running away.

The game was a baby step into the realm of non-linear game design, as stages can be at least partially explored and re-explored without having all key items. A fixed set of objectives needs to be performed to play the game in full, however.

After collecting the bazooka, the game's graphics can glitch when dying or after leaving the castle. (TODO: Confirm this also happens in the Japanese version)

Versions

The Amiga version was considered impressive for its time with atmospheric soundtrack and graphics, which had multiple scrolling planes, color usage and diverse graphics, however the Sega Mega Drive was scaled back, with some enemies missing or their positions being altered.

The Mega Drive game was not optimised for NTSC machines, and thus runs too fast. This was corrected in the Japanese release, which also makes adjustments to the graphics, adds a proper ending sequence and includes a much-needed additional healing item in a later stage. The changes were reportedly made at the request of Japanese publisher Victor Musical Industries.

The Master System version is even more scaled back from the Mega Drive port. Most of the interior background art is removed and replaced with simplified dark or blue backgrounds. It has no cutscenes like the ones seen in 16-bit ports and instead they are replaced with black and white text.

The developers of the Master System version somehow felt the need to introduce an inventory system to the game. In every other version, power-ups and other items are instantly used while in the Master System port, they are added to an inventory, which is accessible by pressing the 2 button. While this can be considered a benefical update, as it allows players to stock up and use items later, the inventory can only carry 7 items at a time, and the game gives no indication about the items in the player's possession; not even the manual explains what these items do and the only way to find out their effects is to use them, which may result in players wasting a precious quest item and potentially render the game unwinnable as used quest items do not return. In the original game, all common and important items are used immediately after picking up. Using 2 as an inventory screen also forces players to press Up on the D-Pad to jump, which is not the best button configuration for a side-scrolling platforming game. Why the developers decided to make this change is unknown.

The Master System version also announces a boss every time one appears, making this the only port of the game in which names of the bosses can be seen in-game.

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Shadow of the Beast Shadow of the Beast
English (US) Shadow of the Beast Shadow of the Beast
Japanese シャドー･オブ･ザ･ビースト 魔性の掟 Shadow of the Beast: Mashou no Okite

Production credits

  • Design and Programming: Martin Edmondson, Paul Howarth
  • Art: Reflections
  • Producer: Keith Francart
  • Technical Director: Steve Hayes
  • Sounds and Music: David Whittaker
  • Product Management: Chip Lange
  • Package Design: Lance Anderson
  • Cover Illustration: Roger Dean
  • Documentation: Marti McKenna
  • Documentation Layout: Chandler Briggs
  • Manual Illustration: Adrian Bourne
  • Testing: Jon Medek
  • Quality Assurance: Jonathan Skolnick
Source:
In-game credits
Shadow Of The Beast MD US Manual.pdf
[12]


Magazine articles

Main article: Shadow of the Beast/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Shadow of the Beast/Promotional material.

Artwork

  • SotB MD Art Cover.jpg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[13]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
52
[14]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
58
[15]
Consoles + (FR)
75
[16]
Console XS (UK) PAL
78
[17]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7 (RU)
40
[18]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
51
[19]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
84
[20]
Gamers (DE)
33
[21]
Games-X (UK)
90
[22]
Génération 4 (FR)
78
[23]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
84
[24]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[25]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
90
[26]
Joypad (FR)
84
[27]
Joystick (FR)
83
[28]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
62
[29]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
51
[30]
Mega (UK) PAL
48
[31]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
80
[32]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-U
51
[33]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
50
[34]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
82
[35]
Micro News (FR)
75
[36]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
82
[37]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
82
[38]
Megazone (AU)
79
[39]
Player One (FR)
73
[40]
Play Time (DE)
70
[41]
Power Play (DE)
34
[42]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
66
[43]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
79
[44]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
68
[45]
Sega Force Mega (UK)
54
[46]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
80
[47]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
56
[48]
Tilt (FR)
95
[49]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
52
[50]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
60
[5]
Video Games (DE)
37
[51]
Sega Mega Drive
 66
Based on
40 reviews

Shadow of the Beast

Mega Drive, JP
SotB MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
ShadowoftheBeast MD JP CartTop.jpg
SotB MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Shadow of the Beast MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
SotB MD US Box.jpg
Cover
SotB MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Shadow Of The Beast MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Shadow Of The Beast MD US Poster.pdf
Poster
Mega Drive, EU
SotB MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
SotB MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Shadow of the Beast MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, PT

SotB MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
SotB MD PT manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, CZ (Datart)

SotB MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
SotB MD CZ Manual.png
Manual
Mega Drive, AU
SotB MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
SotB MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
SotB MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, ZA/KE/LS/MZ/NA/BW/SZ/ZW
SotB MD ZA KE LS MZ NA BW SZ ZW box back.jpgNospine.pngSotB MD ZA KE LS MZ NA BW SZ ZW box front.jpg
Cover
SotB MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Shadow Of The Beast MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Shadow Of The Beast MD US Poster.pdf
Poster

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
92
[52]
Console XS (UK) PAL
90
[53]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
82
[11]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
80
[54]
Game Power (IT)
86
[55]
Games-X (UK)
90
[56]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
90
[57]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
90
[26]
Joypad (FR) PAL
94
[58]
Joystick (FR)
92
[59]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
85
[60]
Mega Force (FR)
90
[61]
Mega Force (ES) PAL
90
[62]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
80
[63]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
80
[64]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
80
[65]
Player One (FR)
80
[66]
Play Time (DE)
41
[67]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
79
[68]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[69]
Sega Pro (UK)
90
[70]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[71]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
90
[47]
Supersonic (FR)
92
[72]
Video Games (DE)
66
[73]
Sega Master System
 84
Based on
25 reviews

Shadow of the Beast

Master System, EU
SotB SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
SotB SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU
SotB SMS AU cover.jpg
Cover
SotB SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
SotB SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
Sotb sms br cart.jpg
Cart
Sotb sms br manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Shadow of the Beast/Technical information.

References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  2. ↑ File:SotB SMS EU Box.jpg
  3. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "March 1992" (JP; 1992-02-08), page 10
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 9
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "December 1991" (US; 1991-1x-xx), page 54
  6. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-10-30), page 11
  7. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 7
  8. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1991-12-09), page 27
  9. ↑ Sega Power, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-02), page 33
  10. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-02-10), page 17
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Computer & Video Games, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-15), page 100
  12. ↑ File:Shadow Of The Beast MD US Manual.pdf, page 5
  13. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 203
  14. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Februar 1992" (DE; 1992-01-10), page 128
  15. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1992" (JP; 1992-03-07), page 37
  16. ↑ Consoles +, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 50
  17. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 133
  18. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 250
  19. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 87
  20. ↑ GamePro, "November 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 52
  21. ↑ Gamers, "Februar/März 1992" (DE; 1992-xx-xx), page 33
  22. ↑ Games-X, "21st-27th November 1991" (UK; 1991-11-21), page 34
  23. ↑ Génération 4, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 138
  24. ↑ Game Zone, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-18), page 23
  25. ↑ Hippon Super, "April 1992" (JP; 1992-03-04), page 85
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Hobby Consolas, "Febrero 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 40
  27. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 92
  28. ↑ Joystick, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 182
  29. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 94
  30. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "June 1992" (JP; 1992-05-08), page 83
  31. ↑ Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 21
  32. ↑ Mega Force, "Novembre 1991" (FR; 1991-11-19), page 93
  33. ↑ Mega Fun, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-xx), page 42
  34. ↑ MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 50
  35. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Febrero 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 31
  36. ↑ Micro News, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 204
  37. ↑ Mean Machines, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-28), page 122
  38. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
  39. ↑ Megazone, "April/May 1992" (AU; 1992-0x-xx), page 41
  40. ↑ Player One, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 62
  41. ↑ Play Time, "3/92" (DE; 1992-02-05), page 87
  42. ↑ Power Play, "2/92" (DE; 1992-01-xx), page 167
  43. ↑ Sega Power, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-02), page 32
  44. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 71
  45. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 67
  46. ↑ Sega Force Mega, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-24), page 89
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Sega Force, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 30
  48. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  49. ↑ Tilt, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 46
  50. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 154
  51. ↑ Video Games, "1/92" (DE; 1992-02-03), page 30
  52. ↑ Consoles +, "Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-10-05), page 114
  53. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 144
  54. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 154
  55. ↑ Game Power, "Gennaio 1992" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 40
  56. ↑ Games-X, "27th February-4th March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-27), page 24
  57. ↑ Game Zone, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-18), page 21
  58. ↑ Joypad, "Novembre 1991" (FR; 1991-10-1x), page 104
  59. ↑ Joystick, "Novembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 148
  60. ↑ Mega Force, "Novembre 1991" (FR; 1991-11-19), page 73
  61. ↑ Mega Force, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-05-05), page 70
  62. ↑ Mega Force, "Mayo 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 74
  63. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 85
  64. ↑ Mean Machines, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-29), page 74
  65. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 136
  66. ↑ Player One, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-04-10), page 93
  67. ↑ Play Time, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-03), page 95
  68. ↑ Sega Power, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-05), page 48
  69. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 48
  70. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 28
  71. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  72. ↑ Supersonic, "Mai/Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 20
  73. ↑ Video Games, "4/91" (DE; 1991-12-06), page 39


Shadow of the Beast

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