LYNX: Shadow of the Beast
From: Robert Jung (ap803@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 09/07/92-08:00:06 PM Z
From: ap803@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Robert Jung)
Subject: LYNX: Shadow of the Beast
Date: Mon Sep 7 20:00:06 1992
A game a week, no problem. If only Atari can keep up this schedule...
=============================================================================
SHADOW OF THE BEAST
1 player, horizontal game
Atari Corp., for the Atari Lynx
$39.95
Stereo? No
OVERVIEW:
The Beast is back! SHADOW OF THE BEAST for the Lynx is -- no surprise -- a
conversion of the popular Psygnosis computer game. You play an inhuman demon,
stripped of your human identity by the dreaded Beast Lord, and who has just
now learned of your lost heritage. Now driven by rage and revenge, you must
run, jump, and fight through a number of multidirectional scrolling stages to
destroy the fiend and rest your soul. Along the way, you will unravel puzzles
and hunt for tools and weapons, but an army of minions and many traps stand in
your way.
GAMEPLAY:
The original version of BEAST was notorious for being incredibly
difficult, and this version is just as hard; it is one of the toughest Lynx
games you can buy today. You have only one life, and your lifeblood is quickly
whittled away by relentless attacks and sheer drops. The game offers three
continues, but there is no way to save a game or to skip earlier stages. The
game is immensely large, with dozens and dozens of places to explore, and
players are advised to allocate lots of free time for this title. Simple
controls allow you to jump, attack, and select weapons, though you cannot
instantly change directions.
What elevates SHADOW OF THE BEAST from being another rehash of DONKEY KONG
is its adventuring aspects. While there are platforms to jump and enemies to
destroy, blindly going forward will get you nowhere. Instead, the only way to
make progress is to thoroughly explore each area. The adventuring aspects of
this game are simple and very linear. Each problem has one path to the proper
solution, and deviations from that are harder or simply impossible. Also, some
areas require prior knowledge, which you can get only by experience from
earlier games. To be fair, this game pulls no sudden surprises; when you die,
for instance, you know exactly what mistakes led to your demise.
GRAPHICS/SOUND:
The graphics on BEAST are some of the best ever seen on a Lynx. Fantastic
use of color and detail makes for realistic characters and backgrounds, topped
off with fine, multilayered parallex scrolling. Your on-screen personna runs,
turns, and jumps with fluid, lifelike animation, and many of the game's
antagonists are equally well done. The game sounds are slightly above average,
though they do not come too often. Much better, though, are the many
background tunes running throughout the game, all of which are terrific,
atmospheric, and haunting. You can press Option 2 to turn them off, but you
won't want to...
SUMMARY:
SHADOW OF THE BEAST hits the Lynx without losing any of the relentless
challenge from the original. It is an audio-video feast, but the game's high
difficulty level and gameplay may turn off some players. Still, if you relish
a serious, take-no-prisoners video game, this title is just the ticket.
GAMEPLAY: 7
GRAPHICS: 9
SOUND: 8.5
OVERALL: 7.5
Rating values 10 - 8 Great! This game can't get much better.
7 - 5 Good. Average game, could be improved.
4 - 2 Poor. For devotees only.
1 Ick. Shoot it.
=============================================================================
Yeah, it's a tough job, but somebody has to do it.
--R.J.
B-)
//////////////////////////////////////|\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Send whatevers to rjung@usc.edu | If it has pixels, I'm for it.
--------------------------------------+------------------------------Lynx up!
"You weren't chosen because you are the best pilot in the Air Force. You were
chosen because you are the class clown and frankly, you're expendable."
-----------------------------------------
Return to message index
