Nightshade

This is one of my favorite video games for the NES and believe it or not one of my personal favorite video games of all time.

This game came out sometime in the midpoint of the NES's life cycle which is always a time when a console peaks and understandable how some titles get easily overlooked. It was also a game slightly ahead of its time, it kind of predates the "Shenmue" video game franchise well almost. This was a different kind of game as it's one from the "Adventure" genre which were popular mainly on the PC in the 80s and 90s, but on the consoles, it wasn't too common which is understandable as those games were mainly built for the PCs. But it can be a breath of fresh air whenever a console embarks on an uncommon genre and most importantly make it work. The NES had some if not a lot of games for the "Adventure" genre there was "Shadow gate", "Déjà vu", "Uninvited", "King Quest 5" (all in my book good games in their own way and stories for another time) and of course this the being one of those games and believe or not my favorite of the bunch.

I like the storyline which feels like the kind for an "Elseworlds" tale or even "The Tick", it's surprisingly a slightly dark story line as we see this supervillain that looks like Sutek from "Doctor Who" he has slain this Superman like hero and it's up to you a "Batman" like detective hero to save the city from his evil grip. That's pretty much it the plot is simple, it's much like with the TV show "Lost" what more you discover and how much the story develops is where the web gets really tangled but in a good way as it keeps itself simple making it easy to follow.

The graphical presentation is solid, really like the details from the use of darkness and the gray and blue shading which really give the game that gritty noir feel to it, it really looks like a city that is shaded in constant mystery. Every shadow carries either danger or a clue to help shed more light into the elusive answers you seek. Music is solid I wouldn't say anything too memorable but fits the game adding into that mystery feel.

The gameplay is solid, it plays out pretty much like the "King's Quest" games only here you're a detective and it takes place in the comic book world. The game isn't much of an actioneer, there are the one on one fighting segments you run into once in a while. This is a game that is more focused on exploration, investigation, and observation. You really are just feeling your way, looking, and relooking every detail to find certain tools you need to gain access from one place to another as well as advance in the storyline.

It also just gives you the feeling of being a detective; well, you are a comic book hero but along the lines of "Batman", in a way you can say this game is the closest we'll get to an adventure game for that franchise. But anyway like "Batman" and even other DC universe characters like "Rorschach" and "The Question" you're really an ordinary person with ordinary powers. Your only weapons are your fists but most importantly your mind, and I like that showing that you don't have to have superpowers to be powerful.

I really like the open world aspect. At first, you're not sure what to do or where to go. Most of the time I don't like that in video games because it means a lot of slowdown or even make progress come to a dead stop. However, this is an exception because it's the game's strength here the game allows you to have the freedom to go wherever you want and even do anything you want of your choice. It's almost like with the "Chose your Adventure" books where the further you go, you then are left with a set of options that can either bring a good or bad outcome, it's all up to you but remember your actions can affect your progress.

Though if you may have to look at a visual guide as there may 'be places where you get stumped, exhausted all possibilities, or just simply want to get down to business. But still all the exploration business is worth it and works to your advantage as you now have a geography of the land your exploring, making the city almost your own playground or sandbox, and can easily get to where you need to go.

There is also RPG elements, from the one on one fights you I mentioned but also there is another gauge called Popularity. The popularity points are sort of like the experience points. As you built that up your stats will get stronger, depending on how much you do and how much you want to risk. Speaking of risk there are times when all your lives are drained and your put into these "MacGyver" like death traps which are all puzzles by their nature. Most of them are easy to solve and get out of, which will put you back to where you left off.

However, there are going to be traps in which there is no escape, so you still have to defend yourself to keep going. Also, this game has no checkpoints and continues, it's an all in one go kind of game (mainly like all adventure games really isn't very long) so make your ventures count.

Finally, one of the big highlights of the game is the dialog it's pretty darn funny, I'll admit playing this game plastered a smile on my face which doesn't happen often. It reminds me of some of the dialog from the TV show "Batman 66" but also the comic book and animated show "The Tick". What dialog is passed long is just deliciously colorful, absurd, and even bad but in a good way. Part of what makes the game fun and even revisiting is to find more verbal lines and jokes; I can't say what they are you just have to see it to believe it.

But this game does gets its coat caught in a snag or two. One of my problems is the game takes a little while to get going mainly that first part of the game when you get out of the trap and then must get out of the building. It's not that hard don't get me wrong, but still, it takes a while as you won't know at first what and where to find certain tools and where to use them. By its nature this part you can say it's really a tutorial to get you acquainted with the game, but don't fret because as I said this only takes a little while once, you're outside the building the real game begins.

The other problem is the menu system which is a little clunky and not that smooth to operate. That's one of the reasons Adventure games mainly were meant for the PC because of the mouse control function which made the access and function of the menu a lot smoother. Though you do get a handle on the control once you work with it a while, so I can let this slide.

Finally, the one-on-one combat is decent but a little lame which is why it's nothing to really run home about. Though it's understandable with the hardware limitations as they weren't powerful enough to support the Fighting game genre. Let alone repetitive as some enemies you fight are pretty much the same person over and over. Maybe they could have mixed the combat aspect up a little like either when you get further in the game or run into some other kinds of enemies it goes into the "Punch Out" style or even the game "Flying Warriors" (another under the radar gem and story for another time). I know a lot to ask for but it's a thought anyway.

It would be cool if a remaster revival of this game was made and that would then open up the opportunity to make that second sequel. But with the second sequel the game would either you could make it in the same format but with a few modernized improvements or even 3D sort of like with the "Shenmue" video game series. And most importantly have a story that's fun, funny and memorable. Sadly, this probably won't happen despite it's cult popularity it's not a big enough demand for more, but still it's a nice thought to be considered.

If your into the "Adventure" genre and your looking for some vintage games to add on to it, or even just more for your NES console. This is one gem in the shadow's worth shining a light on.

Rating: 4 stars.