PS4 Shadow of the Beast returns to its roots with unlockable Amiga game

By Danny Cowan Published May 4, 2016

Developer Heavy Spectrum revealed that its upcoming reboot of the classic action-platformer Shadow of the Beast will include an emulated version of the original Amiga game as an unlockable bonus.

The included Amiga version of Shadow of the Beast will also offer up optional cheats, giving players a fighting chance in navigating its notoriously difficult platforming challenges.

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“As fans of the original, we wanted to make sure that we did everything we could to give new players that same experience that inspired us,” Heavy Spectrum CEO Matt Birch said. “To that end we’ve implemented a full emulation of the original game as an unlockable bonus. So you get the entire original game playable on your PS4 included within the new Shadow of the Beast.”

Originally released for the Commodore Amiga and other computer platforms in Europe in 1989, Shadow of the Beast won acclaim for its lushly detailed backgrounds and character art. The game later saw a worldwide release via 16-bit consoles and portables, and a pair of sequels followed in its wake.

Aside from its impressive graphics, Shadow of the Beast is also known for its high degree of difficulty. The game gives players a single attempt to complete its lengthy quest, and the main character’s health drains rapidly throughout due to relentless assaults from enemies and traps.

Fortunately, the emulated PlayStation 4 version of Shadow of the Beast will give players access to an optional infinite-lives cheat, along with “other helpful features that should give you a fighting chance of reaching the end,” according to Birch. Hardcore players can disable these features for a true challenge.

Heavy Spectrum also revealed that players can unlock Shadow of the Beast‘s original Amiga music as a replacement for the rebooted game’s soundtrack. Shadow of the Beast‘s original Amiga cover art, created by Roger Dean, is also available as an unlockable bonus.

Shadow of the Beast premieres digitally for the PlayStation 4 on May 17.

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