Shadowgate
Nostalgic game with non-graphic violence will test skills.
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Shadowgate
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Shadowgate is a downloadable action/adventure game for the Nintendo Switch and Windows PCs. The game is a modern remake of a classic action/adventure game found on Macintoshes and the Nintendo Entertainment System. Like its predecessor, this downloadable game is extremely difficult -- to the point that it will frustrate even the most dedicated player. There's copious violence, but because the game sticks with its point-and-click roots, the violence isn't graphically represented. When players die (which happens frequently), they see the Grim Reaper rather than their own blood.
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What’s It About?
In SHADOWGATE, players assume the role of Jair, an adventurer summoned by the wizard Lakmir to free Castle Shadowgate from an evil sorcerer named Talimar the Black. You'll use a new take on old commands to battle enemies and explore the fantasy-filled dungeon (complete with wraiths, zombies, and more). Players must select from a series of written prompts (such as "look," "open," or "hit") and pair these with items in your inventory or your small on-screen avatar in the correct order to progress. Failure to do so often results in death.
Is It Any Good?
This remake of a challenging classic adventure game isn't for the easily frustrated. In fact, Shadowgate may not even be a game for the focused player. It revels in its difficulty and takes great joy in killing off players. It also has a horribly dated user interface that slows things down tremendously, has too many similar choices, and feels incredibly clunky. Plus, the newly added levels don't add much except additional chances to watch the death screens again ... and again ... and again.
So why would anyone consider playing? Shadowgate is beloved by old-school gamers precisely for its difficulty. The original was hard even when the standard for difficulty was a lot higher -- and the remake doesn't water down its source material. What it does do is add some stunning static art backgrounds that are a joy to behold. There may be no better game to test your mettle if you consider yourself a hardcore gamer. But if you lack that sense of challenge or nostalgia, there's little reason to pick this up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the impact of violence in video games. Is the impact of the violence in Shadowgate affected by the fact that violence is implied and not shown. Would the violence be more intensified if it's graphically depicted?
How do you work through your frustration when you're trying to accomplish a task? Is there a point when you give up, or do you keep fighting to the end?
Why do you think some gamers have trouble distinguishing between fantasy and reality?
Game Details
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Abstraction
- Release date: April 11, 2019
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- ESRB rating: T for Fantasy Violence
- Last updated: April 18, 2019
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