“Beyond Shadowgate” is an upcoming sequel to the classic NES adventure game Shadowgate, set to release on September 19, 2024, for PC platforms including Steam and GOG.
Game Origins and Development
The game is based on a 34-year-old design document that was originally abandoned when ICOM Simulations, the company behind the original Shadowgate, shifted focus to licensed properties. This long-dormant concept has been revived by Zojoi LLC, a studio formed by Dave Marsh and Karl Roelofs, the original designers of the Macintosh version of Shadowgate.
Gameplay and Style
Unlike the 1993 TurboGrafx-CD sequel that used a third-person point-and-click perspective, “Beyond Shadowgate” returns to the first-person view and gameplay style of the original NES classic. This approach aims to capture the essence of the “Macventure” style games, particularly the popular 1989 NES port by Kemco.
Story
The game is set 35 years after the events of the original Shadowgate. Players control Del Thornburrow, a Fenling who escapes from the dungeons of Gwynenthell and embarks on a perilous journey across various lands. The story involves uncovering plots to overthrow kingdoms and battling forces that threaten to plunge the world into darkness.
Development and Release
“Beyond Shadowgate” was successfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter in 2023. The game is being developed in collaboration with GrahfMetal, an experienced 8-bit developer. It’s currently scheduled for release on September 19, 2024, and is available for wishlisting on Steam and GOG.
This sequel represents a significant revival of the Shadowgate franchise, offering both nostalgia for fans of the original and a new adventure for modern gamers, all based on a design concept that has waited over three decades to be realized.
