Play Shadow of the Beast (Europe) Online

Shadow of the Beast was released for the Sega Master System in Europe, developed by Reflections and published by Virgin Games. It arrived late in the console's lifespan, offering a visual showcase with its detailed backgrounds and parallax scrolling, though it was not widely distributed outside Europe. The game stands as a technical achievement for the hardware, even if its gameplay drew mixed reactions from players at the time.

You control Aarbron, a human transformed into a beast, navigating side-scrolling environments filled with hostile creatures and environmental hazards. The main objective is to defeat the evil sorcerer Maletoth, traversing through forests, caves, and castles. Signature mechanics include screen-by-screen exploration, melee combat using claws, and collecting keys to progress. The pacing is deliberate, and the difficulty is notoriously high, with instant death traps and relentless enemy placements. Playing it feels like a tense, unforgiving trial where every step demands precision and patience.