Shadow Madness
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Shadow Madness | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) | Craveyard Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Crave Entertainment |
| Release date(s) | JPN May 19, 1998 NA June 2, 1999 |
| Genre(s) | RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Platform(s) | Sony PlayStation |
Shadow Madness is a turn-based RPG and the first video game released by Crave Entertainment as an American attempt at Final Fantasy. The game gained mixed reviews. The game also came with a free demo for Jade Cocoon.
Contents |
[edit] Storyline
The storyline is centered around saving the world from the chaos that is spreading quickly. The player takes the role as Stinger, whose town has just been destroyed. The player meets many friends and foes on their way to finding out how the chaos started and how it can be stopped.
[edit] Gameplay
Shadow Madness plays like any other turn based RPG. Your party consists of 3 members, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. In battle, the player has a choice of using physical attacks, magic, items and escape (which allows the player to run from a battle deemed impossible). It also plays the same on the field in terms of using your inventory, moving about and talking to non-player characters.
[edit] Characters
- Stinger (hero) — When the chaos wipes out his hometown, he vows to end the chaos.
- Windleaf — Joins stinger after her secluded sylvan village gets attacked.
- Harv-5 — Robot originally created for harvesting crops, but when the demons destroy his fields and home he sets out to find out his purpose.His catchphrase of sorts is "There will be death."
- Xero Von Moon — Old Mage who has been resurrected from his deep sleep, he has no body so floats around with just his head.
- Clemett — He is a native Gadgeteer, but he didn't agree with how they lived so went to live with the humans, when the chaos started he vowed to protect his 'Friends'.
- Jirina — A Native of the inner world known as Wyldern, her home was turned into a twisted hell by the chaos, she vows to get revenge.
[edit] Reception
The game although an American attempt at the Final Fantasy series, gained quite postive reviews. Notable ones include "Deep, involving storyline and beautiful graphics" by GamePro. It also received positive remarks from PSM: "Epic... Unravels like a good mystery", and OPM: "World of prerendered backgrounds, sharp dialogue and moody music". The game also was greeted with acclaim for introducing a younger audience to the RPG game genre. GameSpot summed it up by saying "Whoever said 'Graphics don't matter' never played Shadow Madness."
The game also gained negative reviews, mainly from experienced RPG gamers and RPG only websites, the level cap is a low 15, which is uncommon for RPG games.
