Game:

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991)

Category:

Let's Play

Duration: 22:22

619 views

4

[No Low Torch Alarm]

Shadowgate was my first venture into the point-and-click gameplay before I began playing King's Quest 5 - 7 which brought me into full circle of the entire genre as a whole. Out of all trio of ICOM point-and-click adventures, this is my favorite and arguably the easiest since there are fewer game breaking moments, in which case Uninvited had some, but Deja Vu had PLENTY. Both titles were released and developed before Shadowgate, so it shows that ICOM learned from past mistakes and executed a very good adventure that isn't too challenging to conquer, but can resort to plenty of trial and error if you are a newcomer to the game itself. One thing incorporated that is a major pain, which seemingly stems from Uninvited is the torch system in which if you run out of torches to light your way, EVEN OUTSIDE THE CASTLE (seriously...?) you instantly die and greeted by Death himself. This is obviously similar to the amazingly annoying Ruby item from Uninvited, but whereas back then it was a voluntary annoyance, Shadowgate practically embeds the thing permanently. The low torch music is so unpleasant to listen to, I'm going to make sure I NEVER hear it during my playthrough; it can drive anyone nuts similar to the music heard when Sonic is running out of breath underwater.

Back when I first played this on the NES (and I still have the game cart), this did generally give me the chills from time to time. Of course, it hardly phases me now, but the kind of imagery was pretty intense. Although not as intense as Uninvited and to some extent, Deja Vu, even if the intensity was from the descriptions and text.

This hero only starts out with a torch and an armor... did he never think to bring SOME kind of weapon? Better yet, why didn't the wizard, Lakmir who sent him on this ordeal?

Hiding keys in front doors... do people still do this (only under the carpet)?

I'm surprised the hero thought it wise to actually try to TAKE the mummy rather than remarking in the reverse like it could come alive and eat him.

Having to CLOSE things you opened gets OLD fast and ANNOYING.

And yes... I'm going to be picking up EVERYTHING I can (it's an adventure after all)... and burning all the carpeting... what? it's not like this is a sacred place... it's an EVIL castle lair lol.

*I've heard about a remake for Shadowgate, I think it's for the iOS and Android devices. The graphics look amazing.

Title music is the Sanctuary (Light World) Dungeon theme from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

Shadowgate is owned by ICOM, copyright 1989.

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