Shadow of the Beast II Longplay (Sega CD) [QHD]

Game Info
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Developer: Digital Developments
Publisher: Psygnosis
Year of Release: 1994
Game Review & Impressions
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Iconic for its brilliant animated intro sequence, this Amiga classic was ported to the Sega Genesis and, latterly, the Sega CD. I wasn't even aware this version existed until I listened to an episode of the RGDS podcast, and so I was really curious to see what changes Digital Developments had made.
The core game design, levels and locations are unchanged, but the CD version does include a full audio CD soundtrack, additional cutscenes, updated graphics, plus voice narration for most of the dialogue. These are not unwelcome additions, but Beast II was still far from exemplary in terms of gameplay, so this feels like an odd choice to give a CD overhaul.
Something which felt like an instant downgrade over the Amiga version was the combat, chiefly because the animation system prevents you from cancelling an attack. The additional number of frames in the attack animation mean you have no way of avoiding damage unless your timing was absolutely impeccable. True, this may have been the same in the standard Genesis version, but it makes the game really frustrating in places, more so than the Amiga version.
Interestingly, the developer's included a couple of additional NPCs in the Karamoon Oasis who you can interact with, probably because they had to remove the Amiga version's chat parser and needed something to replace it with. If I'm honest, these chats are pretty perfunctory and don't add much to the proceedings. I don't think it's possible to ever collect enough gold to buy the throwing axes or potion from the vendor, chiefly because you still need the cash to pay the snail to transport you back to Karamoon.
Ultimately, what Shadow of the Beast II on Sega CD gains in presentation and production values, it loses in the gameplay department. Some of the quirks from the Amiga original are made worse, resulting in a game which, despite looking quite attractive, isn't much fun. Even then, this still feels like an old game to be rehashing in 1994, when there plenty of stock Genesis games better than this.
Information & Trivia
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- Voice narration provided by Tim Bentinck, better known as David Archer from long-running BBC radio drama, The Archers
Video Notes
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Related Longplays & Videos
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Chapters
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[@ArttuTheCat]

I still have all three SHADOW OF THE BEAST games on my Amiga 500. The legendary classics! 😺👍🕹️

[@Glockhead1]

funny thing is it looked 1000x better on amiga than console

[@dragonlord83]

@@Glockhead1 yet the Megadrive version of Beast 2 played much better than the Amiga version. You don't need every single coin to complete the MD version and it has a difficulty select too.

[@MarcGameplays]

All three parts are very good.

[@thetaokan]

Shadow of the beast on amiga 500 has such a great sound design and music. I mean WAY better.

[@user-yt8lm2lf9g]

This is hilarious. I thought it was a parody at first, the punch sounds and voice acting 😂. Whole thing is like when my three year old gets hold of a gold pen. 😂 just got to the tavern music!

[@Nemo_DK]

One thing this version lacks imho, is the more dramatic intro from the Amiga with all the thunder roars, the constantly crying and screaming baby even when abducted, and the lady's heartbreaking scream. That intro freaks me more on Amiga. Though as an Amiga fanboy it's hard to admit that graphically this version looks *~way~* better than the Amiga version, and gameplay-wise it's far more superior. Nevertheless it is true! Thank you for memory lane! 👍 Edit: Just noticed it was CD-version. No wonder then for the enhanced graphics and sounds. Silly me. 😅 Nevertheless above mentioned statement still standing.

[@lbat5276]

The graphics are better, but the design seems a bit off to me - the atmosphere is a bit more cartoony, and the puny size of his ball and chain doesn't help

[@Alysaundre]

@@lbat5276 Agreed, the graphics look worse to me because they just don't fit the grimdark atmosphere of the game.

[@theseeker3771]

I think the music is not as good as on the Amiga as well.

[@WeskerSega]

Too bad the Mega Drive version of Shadow of the Beast III wasn't released and still hasn't appeared up to this day. Its existence was confirmed by Matt Furniss because he actually did all the soundtrack for it. The only Mega Drive version of the series he actually was involved with (the two previous Mega Drive releases were not bad but could have been better, especially regarding the first game) and it never came out, what a shame.

[@MarcGameplays]

SOTB III is very good, it's a pity that it has only been released for Amiga.

[@NeilForshaw]

Interesting. Cool that they added loads of FMV bits into it. Replaced the epic Amiga game over screenshot with an interesting FMV though. Kinda prefered the amiga music (and what's with the Tavern music :D ) . Not sure what's going on with the voice acting though :O :D

[@PedroCouto1982]

21:32 "(...) guaranteed to induce a coma or other seriously debilitating disorders. This must be my lucky day!" And drinks it. Like a classic point and click adventure game character.

[@maestro-zq8gu]

I'm always finding new ports of this game I didn't know about haha. This port looks really slick.

[@Ghoulies]

10:49 for legitimate elevator music 😧😬

[@probe26]

my PAa died in an elevator.

[@probe26]

paw

[@nickblack9891]

An exercise in how to remove all ambience 😢

[@jolupakagames6977]

looks nice

[@Saxdude26]

Interesting, so Beast II had a port on FM Towns, much like Beast I, and in both soundtrack and graphics that seems to have been the base for the Sega CD version, albeit with some pretty drastic overhaulling in the puzzle department. Might explain why the CD version feels so different in presentation, it was originally intended to a different audience to the Amiga player base, and even as early as the first key, which is hanging in this version, the FM Towns port keeps closer to the Amiga original by having the winged goblin holding it. But then there's what the FM Towns had which DIDN'T port across, like drinking animations for when Aarbron uses a potion - he even grins at the player - and the goblin at 6:58 is actually guarding two extra bags of coins in the FM Towns version. Fascinating...

[@nvincenti]

Even better than the amiga version. Stunning!

[@Chilliconcarnage]

I don't think so. Much better atmosphere on the Amiga

[@dragonlord83]

@@Chilliconcarnage actually I'd say the Megadrive version is the best. While music and graphics isn't quite as good as the Amiga version you do have the option to select the games difficulty in the MD version... Also you don't have to collect every single coin in order to pass the snail section in the MD port. In the Amiga version if you missed one single coin you couldn't pass this part and were forced to start the game again.

[@Alysaundre]

Gods, the Amiga version was so much better.

[@stephenhall2980]

I kinda agree with you, the Amiga version Is kinda lower fidelity in a technical sense, it had a far better atmosphere and mood. The brutal intro sequence and the Amiga pcm music along with THAT game over music wins it for me.

[@Alysaundre]

I noticed this with Chaos Engine on the newer AGA chipsets too. It's newer technology but it felt too... oversaturated. It made it feel less bleak and steampunk, more cartoonish. It feels the same here.

[@caucasoidape8838]

Major Zelda CDI vibes from this.

[@Eshaktaar]

36:36 Who cast Strong Mad to voice the main villain?

[@user-vv5bk8fu2b]

Необычно

[@RetroPiero]

This game looks wayy more promising than the Genesis version.

[@ananasstudio6221]

Music on audio-cd era was an absolutely nonesense

[@Henry-zt5zm]

Does this game used 3d renders on its cinematics?

[@Emulous79]

The animated sequences are a nice touch but half the music pieces are so out of place. And that speech at 4:29, lol

[@TheDutchGhost]

Also one of the videos really made the world look way more pleasant than it is in-game

[@user-uk5bx1kz2k]

Interesting at first glance but boring by the 20 min mark.

[@ManuRodriguezOficial]

Un juego demasiado corto

[@UltimaKeyMaster]

This version seemingly adds a lot of basic details the Amiga and Genesis version seemed kinda off without. Namely more than 5% of things in the entire game have actual sound effects. Plus, our MC has actual armor and it's a regular flail instead of a hilariously OP ball and chain. Game Over sequence is more humorous playing with the kid than the abstract...laser...thing of the original, I still don't get that image.

[@hannibalsolo4409]

Well that music is all wrong! Haha. I suppose what you're used to is what seems right to you. Vastly prefer the Amiga tune.

[@hannibalsolo4409]

"You won't escape now, mortal!" ...gets killt by punches.

[@stephenhall2980]

Me too! And this is a cd system. I don't recommend comparing the music from SOTB 1on the Amiga to the megadrive version.

[@cbmeeks]

Looks like a respectable version but the music is not to my liking. Plays more like a 90's dance movie. I prefer the Amiga music.

[@nehemiahpouncey3607]

Hate some of these game companies Are gone now.

[@104d_3rr0r_vince]

Missing the atmosphere. The main sprite is ridiculous.

[@hygieia5672]

Looks pretty good but the sound design and the music, ouch.

[@DrJ3RK8]

That title music completely destroys the mood that the Amiga version set. Voice acting is horrible. :) The VDP of the Genesis is definitely up to the task for the game visuals, but I think they messed with art direction that shouldn't have been messed with.

[@v509-cassiopeiae3]

The Menu track is fantastic, but doesn't fit the game at all. The Amiga version is 10 times better. But the menu music rocks on its own. That is very confusing haha 😂

[@thewise3551]

Well they ruined the ambience 100%.

[@amanloop]

Kinda meh! All atmosphere is lost.

[@retroryan836]

After growing up with the Amiga version, this is horrible, the sound, visuals and voice acting ruin it IMO. The little transitioning area cut scenes are nice though and its nice to have some ending visuals.

[@abizzle100]

Music on this is awful compared to Amiga version.

[@iboyd2824]

Most of the character's voices sound absolutely ridiculous in this version, it absolutely kills the atmosphere..!! It's a shame really, as other than this unnecessary addition to the Amiga original, it looks to be a pretty decent version. Albeit this one definitely lacks the atmosphere of the original.

[@youtubegrim5769]

So many drunken russian voice actors in this game. quite weird. SOTB2 is by far the worst part of the old trilogy.

[@mwaawm]

Terrible game... should never have received any ports and that goes double for the awful original. Tells you a lot about how terrible professional reviewers were back then - yes even worse than today.

[@niledemitri3079]

I like it. YOU CAN GO KICK ROCKS!!!!