Shadow of the Beast (2016 video game)
| Shadow of the Beast | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Heavy Spectrum Entertainment Labs[1] |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Composer(s) | Ian Livingstone |
| Series | Shadow of the Beast |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 4 |
| Release date(s) | 17 May 2016 |
| Genre(s) | Platform, action-adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Shadow of the Beast is an action-adventure game developed by Heavy Spectrum Entertainment Labs and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 4 in 2016. It is a remake and re-imagining of the 1989 game of the same name.
Gameplay
Gameplay of Shadow of the Beast combines platform and action elements, with the introduction of combos. Players have to defeat enemies. This can be achieved by counter-attacking to strike them down; shield-wielding foes must be ducked behind in order to defeat them.[2] It features a traditional health bar, combos through quick-time events, and traps inside dungeons. The game features the parallax scrolling from the original title, now in 3D.[3]
The original Shadow of the Beast is included in the remake as an unlockable extra. An "infinite lives" mode was added to make the original game easier to play.[4]
Plot
The game follows the story of its original predecessor. Players control Aarbron, who was kidnapped as a child and corrupted through magic into a monstrous warrior-servant; seeking revenge against his master Maletoth who was responsible for Aarbron's corruption into a feral beast form.
Development
Shadow of the Beast was announced during gamescom 2013 for the PlayStation 4.[5] The first trailer was revealed, among with the announcement of Heavy Spectrum Entertainment Labs as developer. Sony showed the first gameplay video during Electronic Entertainment Expo 2015. The release date was originally set as 2 March 2016, but was delayed to 17 May 2016.
The game uses the Unreal Engine 4 as its underlying engine technology, and Audiokinetic Wwise for audio.
Reception
Shadow of the Beast has earned a score of 66% at Metacritic.[6] IGN awarded it a score of 7.6 out of 10, stating: "Bloody, elegant combat and an otherworldly vibe make Shadow of the Beast a successful reboot of the Amiga classic."[7] David Jenkins, writing for Metro's GameCentral, described the game as taking the inspiration from the art and concept of the somewhat flawed original and marrying this with influences from modern action games, such as Bayonetta, to create something greater than its own legacy.[8] GameSpot awarded it a more negative review of 5.0 out of 10, saying "For a remake, it's not a good sign that the best part about the modern Shadow of the Beast is revisiting the game that inspired it."[9]
References
- ↑ "Heavy Spectrum Entertainment Labs". GiantBomb. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- ↑ "The new Shadow of the Beast is one man's dream come true". Eurogamer. April 16, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- ↑ "Take a look at Shadow of the Beast's stunning gameplay". VG247. June 18, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- ↑ Orry, James (May 5, 2016). "Shadow of the Beast PS4 also includes the original Amiga game". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
- ↑ "Shadow of the Beast remake coming to PS4". Gamespot. August 20, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- ↑ "Shadow of the Beast Metacritic rating". Metacritic. Accessed 23 May 2016.
- ↑ INGENITO, Vince, 16 MAY 2016, "SHADOW OF THE BEAST REVIEW" (http://uk.ign.com/articles/2016/05/17/shadow-of-the-beast-review) IGN. Accessed 20 May 2016.
- ↑ "Shadow Of The Beast review – revenge of the Amiga". Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ↑ Concepcion, Miguel, May 23, 2016 "Shadow of the Beast Review" (http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/shadow-of-the-beast-review/1900-6416437/). GameSpot. Accessed 25 May 2016.