Play Shadowgate (France) Online

Game Overview

Shadowgate on the NES is one of those games that makes you feel like you're actually trapped in a creepy, puzzle-filled castle—in the best way possible. You wander through dimly lit halls, poking at everything because half the objects might kill you if you interact with them wrong. Torches burn out, doors slam shut behind you, and the narrator has this way of making even simple mistakes sound like doom. (I still remember the first time I drank the wrong potion and got a sarcastic "How... tasty.")

It's not just about clicking randomly, though. You really have to think—like, "Why is there a skeleton holding a harp in this dungeon?" kind of thinking. The puzzles are tough but satisfying when you finally piece them together. Just don't expect hand-holding. If you're into atmospheric, slightly punishing adventure games, this one's a classic for a reason.