Shadowgate

A faithful and quite enjoyable installment in the Shadowgate series, for fans of the original Macventure and/or NES versions of the original game. A total of 4 different difficulty modes including "normal" (should probably be called something else such as novice/beginner) which caters to people unfamiliar with the series and/or point and click adventure games in general. I grew up playing the NES game as a kid and just adored this game. I give much credit to Shadowgate and Zork for making a real gamer out of me in my younger years. I typically hate really hard on modern remakes of my favourite old games, but I gotta say that I am extremely glad that this exists. I just beat it and I look forward to many more playthroughs if this amazing game! Viva Shadowgate!

I owned this on the NES years ago. Back then, I was too young to handle the challenges, but now as an adult with more patience, I managed to beat it. Revisiting the game and really getting into its world was great. It remains cryptic and challenging, but there's something satisfying about finally finishing what I started as a kid.

Remake of an early Macintosh first-person point-and-click adventure from 1987. Nice graphics that had a painting-like quality to them. Lots of screens to explore. Atmospheric with good music. Puzzles were pretty good with lots of possibilities. And if you play in classic mode at journeyman or master, there will be more and harder ones. Lots of red herring items at difficulties other than the default normal. You also encounter creatures but each one has to be dealt in a simple different way, like an adventure, not like a RPG. The interface was functional but was clumsy when it came to using an item from the inventory on something on the scene. You can easily switch between the new and somewhat retro graphics (think pixelated), and a talking skull provides hints. This is a remake done right.

Shadowgate is a carefully crafted modern revival of a landmark adventure game, developed and published by Zojoi, that sets out not merely to preserve a classic but to reinterpret it for a contemporary audience without stripping away its identity. Rooted in the legacy of the original 1987 title, this version feels less like a remake chasing nostalgia and more like a respectful continuation of an idea: a slow, methodical descent into a hostile fantasy stronghold where intellect, caution, and curiosity matter far more than reflexes. From the moment you step inside the ominous castle, the game establishes a tone of foreboding isolation, reminding the player that every action carries consequence and that survival is never guaranteed.
You take on the role of a prophesied hero, the so-called Seed of Prophecy, tasked with infiltrating the cursed fortress of Shadowgate to stop the rise of the Warlock Lord. The narrative is intentionally restrained, delivered through environmental storytelling, cryptic clues, and the occasional piece of lore rather than through overt exposition. This minimalism works in the game’s favor, allowing the castle itself to become the primary storyteller. Each room feels like a fragment of a larger, decaying history, and progression comes not from scripted plot beats but from understanding how the world functions, what dangers lurk within it, and how best to navigate its many traps.
Gameplay adheres closely to traditional point-and-click adventure design, emphasizing exploration, inventory management, and puzzle solving over action. Movement is deliberate and segmented, and each screen is packed with interactive elements that demand careful inspection. Puzzles range from straightforward logical problems to more devious challenges that punish impatience or careless experimentation. The ever-present threat of instant death—whether from a hidden trap, a wrong item choice, or simply letting your torch burn out—creates a constant tension that sets Shadowgate apart from more forgiving modern adventures. Failure is frequent, but it rarely feels arbitrary; instead, it reinforces the idea that knowledge and preparation are your greatest weapons.
One of the most striking aspects of this remake is its flexibility. Zojoi clearly understood that the uncompromising nature of the original could be daunting, so they introduced multiple difficulty settings that subtly adjust puzzle logic, hint availability, and resource pressure. For purists, there is a fully featured Retro Mode that recreates the look and feel of the NES version, complete with pixel art visuals, classic sound effects, and nostalgic interface elements. Conversely, the modern presentation offers richly hand-painted environments, dynamic lighting, and an immersive audio design that heightens the sense of dread and discovery. This duality allows players to tailor the experience to their preferences without undermining the core design philosophy.
Visually, Shadowgate excels at atmosphere rather than spectacle. The castle’s interiors are moody and expressive, filled with crumbling stonework, flickering torchlight, and ominous details that hint at unseen dangers. The art direction strikes a balance between storybook fantasy and dark, oppressive dungeon design, making exploration feel both alluring and threatening. Complementing the visuals is a soundtrack that adapts to the player’s progress, shifting subtly to reinforce moments of tension, discovery, or impending doom. Sound effects, from creaking doors to distant echoes, further immerse the player in the castle’s oppressive presence.
Despite its many strengths, Shadowgate is unapologetically old-school at heart, and that will not appeal to everyone. The pacing is slow, the interface demands patience, and puzzle logic often assumes a willingness to think laterally and accept trial-and-error learning. Players accustomed to constant guidance or streamlined interactions may find the experience frustrating, especially when progress is halted by a single overlooked detail. However, for those who embrace its design, these elements are precisely what give the game its identity and lasting appeal.
Ultimately, Shadowgate stands as an excellent example of how a classic adventure can be reimagined without losing its soul. It respects the intelligence of the player, demands attention and perseverance, and rewards those willing to immerse themselves fully in its world. Whether approached as a nostalgic return to a formative piece of gaming history or as a challenging, atmospheric puzzle adventure in its own right, Shadowgate offers a memorable journey defined by tension, discovery, and the satisfaction of overcoming danger through wit rather than force.
Rating: 8/10

just looking at a few of my games, saw this... i remember my Uncle had it for Gameboy and i loved it, never was good at it but it Really stuck with me... I got this years ago now and never played it much, its not my kind of game, BUT its so great to See this updated! this is what i saw in my head as a kid! when i look at the gameboy game its mind blowing that i was so drawn into it! ah to be young again LOL

I remember playing the original on the Nintendo Entertainment System in the 90's.
(This one even has the option to use the original soundtrack BTW.)
In fact, I know the old game inside out in my sleep but it got me NOWHERE (especially on hard mode). This is a good thing.
As much as I appreciate Double Fine's HD remakes of Day Of The Tentacle and Grim Fandango, they had ZERO replay value because I've known those games inside out in my sleep since I was 10. Here, you basically get an entirely new game that has the same locations and basic plot as the old game but every puzzle has two or three extra steps and everything seems like something that could have existed in the old game (The Sphinx being replaced by a Djinn? The Banshee actually doing something harmful to you?).
Ok, sometimes the puzzles are TOO hard, but then again, that's only if you play on the very hardest difficulty level, so that's on you.
My only complaint is that the "old school" graphics mode are just pixelated versions of the modern graphics. It would have been cool if they actually created pixel art versions of the modern art instead of just scaling down the graphics (there's literally no reason to select that graphics mode).
Newcomers need not start with the old one.
Try this one on the lower difficulty level instead.
You're in for a treat.

I started this game as a child and felt entirely too stupid for it, got hard-stuck and never had that closure... Finally after nearly 30 years, I got to see the ending of ShadowGate, and still felt quite stupid! hah!
I wanted to play without having to use a walkthrough, and I nearly did! But at about the 6 hour mark I broke down and skimmed one as I got so stuck on a handful of puzzles, I had no idea where to go, what to do, or how to progress with a satchel full of random odds and ends, just trying to stab them into everything and firing spells that did nothing.. I had missed only a couple things, and overall - I feel I did pretty well for a game of this sort! I don't usually do point and click adventures, so this is a bit different than my usual games of choice.
So much nostalgia seeing this castle, I couldn't believe I remembered so many different rooms and places I died so many years ago. Hearing that music, using random items on thyself... stumbling around in the darkness and finding new and improved ways to die. I really feel like this remake really gives it the love and respect this old dusty game deserved. The art is fantastic and beautiful. The voice acting is really good and fitting for the characters and design. As far as I remember, I didn't see much straying from the original - though as mentioned, I never actually completed the original... It was just so cool though.
I can certainly recommend this game, with the suggestion of: Be patient with yourself. This game is hard... if you need to - don't feel bad to look it up to complete it - because its pretty darn cool and in my opinion worth a playthrough.