Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow Over Mystara – 1996 – Review and Longplay

This game is a lot of fun. I played through it with my son Derek. I did try and record commentary but unfortunately I had the game audio up too loud in the dueling audios make things too difficult to hear at times.

I would say out of all the 1990s beat em ups this game is by far the greatest of all time.

Man, I just got off this wild ride called Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystaraand let me tell you, it’s like someone took my wildest fantasy dreams and crammed them into an arcade cabinet! This game is an absolute beast!

Let me break it down for you: I went full Cleric—a holy warrior with a divine mission—and my son? He picked the Fighter, the classic hero with a sword that’s almost as big as his courageous heart!

A Cleric’s Crusade and a Fighter’s Fury!

There I am, mace in hand, doling out divine justice and blessings like it’s the end times. The undead? Smite city. The wounded? Healed with a touch. And when the hordes got too thick, BAM! Holy light show as I call down the wrath of the gods.

My son, meanwhile, was the embodiment of might makes right. His Fighter was a whirlwind of steel, slicing through enemies like they were made of butter. His combos were a thing of beauty—each slash, block, and power move executed with the precision of a seasoned warrior. Together, we were unstoppable.

A Visual Feast for the Ages!

I swear the graphics in this game must’ve been crafted by an archmage because they’re spellbinding. The animation of my Cleric’s spells was so lifelike, I half-expected to feel the heat of the sacred flames. And the Fighter’s movements? So fluid, it’s like watching an epic poem in motion. Every new area we discovered was a masterpiece, a canvas of pixel art that told tales of mystery and magic.

Choose Your Fate!

The game’s got choices that make you feel like you’re shaping the very fabric of the adventure. We’re talking secret paths that lead to untold treasures and encounters that test your mettle. One moment we’re in a dank dungeon, the next we’re fighting atop a flying fortress. And my son’s eyes were wide as saucers every time we had to make a decision on where to go next.

Loot That Makes You Feel Almighty!

The loot—oh, the loot!—was like Christmas came early. I’m snagging holy relics that boost my healing powers, and my son’s hoarding swords that could cleave a dragon in two. The equipment we decked ourselves out in wasn’t just for show; it changed our playstyle, made us rethink our strategy, and kept the excitement at a fever pitch.

Conclusion

When we finally called it a day, it wasn’t just the end of a game. It felt like we’d returned from a real quest, a journey that tested our bond and our bravery. “Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara” isn’t just a game; it’s a forge for memories, a place where heroes are made, and legends are born. My son and I, we didn’t just play an arcade game—we embarked on an epic tale of valor and virtue. And you can bet your bottom gold piece we’re diving back in at the first chance we get!

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