Shadow of the Beast - Mashou no Okite [Model JCCD2008]

シャドー・オブ・ザ・ビースト 魔性の掟 © 1992 Victor Musical Industries, Inc.
(Shadow of the Beast - Mashou no Okite)

Shadow of the Beast is a side scrolling action/adventure game developed by DMA Design and published by Victor Interactive Software. The hero rather normal life is turned upside-down when he finds himself turned into a monstrous beast. During a dark and stormy night, a mysterious horseman known as a beast-mage leaps out of the forest and curses the inhabitant of a modest cottage house. The owner suddenly wakes up and soon realizes his horrible fate - he is now an horrific looking beast and he embarks on a journey of personal and mad revenge, in a desperate attempt to regain his stolen human form. The consequence of his misadventure has one unexpected twist - he now has beast powers and can run farther, jump incredible highs and throw powerful punches and kicks with ease. There are also special attacks but they don't really follow any traditional formulas, instead they only exist in the sole purpose to defeat bosses and to allow the player to move forward in his quest. As a matter of fact, they hardly qualify as special attacks as they simply disappear after fulfilling their purpose. Players can progress through the game in any way they see fit, however they will need to solve puzzles and complete tasks in a specific order - Shadow of the Beast contains many dead ends and this is where the true challenge of the game really lies.