ShadowCaster

ShadowCaster is a video game in the action genre developed by Raven Software Corporation and published by ORIGIN Systems, Inc. originally released in 1993. It is currently playable on DOS.

ShadowCaster is one of the most unique and addictive action/RPG games ever made, though unfortunately it never got the attention it deserved from the gaming public, who were too focused on id's successful Doom to play any other game [EG].

The plot is an intriguing fantasy story, which helps set the stage and explain the game's features. You are Kirt, one of the last shapeshifters on Earth. At the beginning of the game, your grandfather tells you that your race, the shifters, was nearly killed in a huge civil war centuries ago. Because this war displeased the gods, the gift of 'shape-shifting' was taken away and 'The People', as they were called, began a slow decline into ruin. However, one god took pity on 'The People' and declared that if they watched for the return of evil (called Veste), they would once again receive the gift of transformation. Just as Grandfather is finishing his story, Veste's henchman appears and takes him away. But not before transporting Kirt to the world of ShadowCaster to fight his way back to his dad and return 'The People' to their ancient heritage.

Wolfenstein-3D meets Ultima Underworld is a fairly accurate description of the gameplay: 3D action mixed with RPG elements and puzzle solving. The best innovation of this game is undoubtedly the ability to 'transform' into 7 different forms, each with their own abilities and weaknesses. The forms range from Maorin, a 6-legged cat that can scratch and see in infrared, to Opsis, a floating eyeball that is physically weak but can cast many powerful spells, to Kahpa the frogman and even SSair the fire dragon.

You start with Kirt, who can kick, jump and punch. It's also the only form in which you can regenerate 'power', which is the mana you need to be able to cast spells, transform and stay in any form other than human. The absolute need for mana adds a fun element of strategic planning, as you must revert to Kirt form from time to time to regenerate. So if you are currently a Kahpa (frog), you have to plan where and when to go to ground to return to Kirt.

The puzzles are a lot of fun to solve, especially since it's less about item quests and more about figuring out what to do with the items you already have and what form you have to transform into to accomplish the objectives. For example, one puzzle consists of finding 4 statue heads to put on a sculpture and be able to pass to the next level. To get to some of these heads you have to transform into different forms, either to navigate (e. g. swim or fly over wells) or to get rid of enemies.

Speaking of enemies, ShadowCaster features the typical AD&D monsters, as well as original ones that you have to kill in a certain way. The combined mouse and keyboard interface is very easy to use and can even be customized to suit your preferences (e. g. where you want the icons to be placed). The automatic mapping is more than adequate, although unfortunately it doesn't allow for annotations. The game is easily one of the most inventive and addictive 3D games you can play.

Just experiencing the environment as the different elementals is worth playing, as each shape has a different height and moves at different rates. The floating eye moves forward at a frustrating speed, while the 'little person' moves forward at full speed, actually passing through the bloody corpses you've already killed (since it's so short). This difference greatly increases the replayability of the game, despite the fact that most of the puzzles have only one solution and the game is quite linear.

A must-have game for all action fans, and for RPG lovers who are not afraid of real-time combat.

It is possible that we have multiple downloads available when different versions exist.