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{{Short description|1996 arcade game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title
|image = Shadow over Mystara sales flyer.png
|caption = Japanese arcade flyer
|developer = [[Capcom]]
|publisher = Capcom
|composer = Masato Kouda
|artist = [[Kinu Nishimura]]<ref name="CDW">{{cite book |author=Famitsu |author-link=Famitsu |title=Capcom Design-Room Staff Interview: 西村キヌ (Nishimura Kinu) |work=Capcom Design Works |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |date=1 January 2001 |pages=234–235 |language=ja |isbn=978-4757704121}} ([http://shmuplations.com/kinunishimura/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225212557/http://shmuplations.com/kinunishimura/|date=2020-02-25}}).</ref>
|writer = Alex Jimenez
|designer = Kenji Kataoka <br/> "Malachie"
|series = ''[[Mystara]]''
|released = '''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|February 1996|NA/EU|1996}}'''Saturn'''{{vgrelease|JP|March 4, 1999}}
|genre = [[Beat 'em up]], [[Action role-playing game|action role-playing]]
|modes = Up to 4 players ([[Cooperative video game|cooperative]])
|platforms = [[Arcade game|Arcade]], [[Sega Saturn]]
|arcade system = [[
}}
{{Nihongo foot|'''''Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara'''''|ダンジョンズ&ドラゴンズ シャドーオーバーミスタラ|Danjonzu & Doragonzu Shadō ōbā Misutara|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is an 1996 [[beat 'em up]] game developed and published by [[Capcom]] for [[arcade video game|arcades]]. It is a sequel to ''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom]]''.<ref name="PO62">{{cite magazine |last1=Delpierre |first1=Christophe |last2=Seddiki |first2=Reyda |last3=Sam |first3=Magic |url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Player%20One/playerone_numero062/Player%20One%20062%20-%20Page%20030%20%281996-03%29.jpg |title=L'arcade dépasse les bornes! - Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara (Capcom) |magazine=[[:fr:Player One (magazine)|Player One]] |issue=62 |publisher=[[:fr:Média Système Édition|Média Système Édition]] |date=March 1996 |page=30 |lang=fr}}</ref><ref name="CAPCOM">{{cite news |last=Ishii |first=Zenji |url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/product/detail.php?id=202 |title=ダンジョンズ&ドラゴンズ －ミスタラ英雄戦記－ |publisher=[[Capcom]] |date=22 August 2013 |access-date=2020-06-28 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518222104/http://www.capcom.co.jp/product/detail.php?id=202 |archive-date=2020-05-18 |url-status=live}} ([http://shmuplations.com/dnd2/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230191710/http://shmuplations.com/dnd2/|date=2019-12-30}}).</ref> The game is set in the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[campaign setting]] of [[Mystara]].
Combining the side-scrolling gameplay of a [[beat 'em up]] with some aspects found in a [[role-playing video game]], ''Shadow over Mystara'' has many game mechanics not commonly found in arcade games, such as finding and equipping new gear and earning new spells as the player gains experience. Players can wield a large variety of weapons and armor, although this selection is limited by the character the players chooses; there is also an extensive assortment of magical and hidden items in the game, many of which are completely unknown to exist to the typical video gamer. This, along with the addition of multiple endings and forking paths, gives the game much re-playability and has led to a [[cult following]] among fans of the genre.
It was one of the last 2-D arcade [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrollers]] created by Capcom; only ''[[Battle Circuit]]'' (1997) came after ''Shadow over Mystara''. The game has seen two home releases as part of the compilations: ''Dungeons & Dragons Collection'' published for the [[Sega Saturn]] in 1999, and ''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara]]'' made available on the [[Nintendo eShop]], [[PlayStation Network]], [[Xbox Live Arcade]] and [[Steam (service)|Steam]] in 2013.
==
[[File:Shadow over Mystara screenshot.png|thumb|left|250px|Gameplay screenshot with Cleric and Elf.]]
In addition to the original four heroes found in its predecessor, ''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom]]'' ([[Cleric (Dungeons & Dragons)|Cleric]], [[Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)|Dwarf]], [[Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)|Elf]] and [[Fighter (Dungeons & Dragons)|Fighter]]), ''Shadow of Mystara'' adds a [[Rogue (Dungeons & Dragons)|Thief]] and a [[Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)|Magic-User]] to the selection of [[player character]]s. Furthermore, with the inclusion of two separate versions of each character's [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]] set, the game allows up to two players to select the same character (in ''Tower of Doom'' each of the characters could only be selected once), effectively giving the game 12 "different" characters to choose from. The two Clerics and two Magic Users also have subtle differences within their [[Magic of Dungeons & Dragons|spell]] books.
The controls use four buttons: Attack, Jump, Select (brings up a small inventory ring around the character allowing the player to choose what item is set in the Use slot) and Use. The Cleric, Elf and Magic-User also have two extra rings for their spells, with the Jump button used to switch from ring to ring. While the game uses the same [[kick harness]] as the previous game, the Select and Use buttons are reversed.
''Shadow over Mystara'' also introduced a selection of special moves which are executed by moving the [[joystick]] and tapping the buttons in certain combinations, in a way similar to the ''[[Street Fighter]]'' series. The characters (except for the Magic-User) have a Dashing Attack as well as a Rising Attack which can be used to combo monsters or even juggle them in the air. Most characters (again, with the exception of the Magic-User and also Cleric) also have a Megacrush, a move common to nearly all of Capcom side-scrollers, which damages all enemies standing close enough to the character but in turn also damaging the player themselves.
The game offers a small selection of [[Arcane caster|arcane magic]], available for the Magic-User and Elf, and [[Divine caster|divine magic]], available to the Cleric. Instead of an [[Magic points|MP]] system, characters use ''D&D''{{'}}s [[Jack Vance|Vancian]] magic system where a certain amount of each spell ready to cast. Extra uses of the spells can be picked up off the ground, represented graphically as [[Scroll (parchment)|scrolls]] of paper, or occasionally recharged after certain [[Boss (video gaming)|boss]] fights. When a spell is cast the entire game is momentarily paused during which the spell effect is played out (some spells can be controlled during this time).
Every character starts with their armor (the second slot) already filled, specific to their character, and remains unchanged the entire game. The character's helmet (the first slot) and shield (the fifth slot) are the other two items that lend to a character's defensive ability. Most characters also begin with a shield, except the Magic-User and Thief, who cannot use shields. While magical items in traditional ''D&D'' rules are practically invulnerable or tough, the magical items in ''Shadow over Mystara'' are very fragile. Magical boots (slot three), gauntlets (slot four), and rings (slot six) are all destroyed after the player is damaged a few times. The eighth slot is used for miscellaneous items, such as the "Skin of the Displacer Beast" or the "Eye of the [[Beholder (Dungeons & Dragons)|Beholder]]"; many bosses drop rare items such as these and they either grant special abilities or can be traded in for special magical equipment. There are also many unique hidden items (for example, hidden near the end of the game is a treasure chest which contains the Staff of Wizardry when opened by the Magic-User: if the Magic-User wields the staff during the final boss fight and there are at least three players with a combined total of over 1 million [[experience points]], the Staff will glow and the team will be able to use the powerful Final Strike attack).
In between many stages the players find themselves inside small town stores where they can restock on common items such as arrows, burning oils, throwing daggers and healing potions. Players can sell items for gold and also trade special items found during boss battles with shopkeepers (by clicking on the shopkeepers head) to earn unique magical items. The players can also come across a special [[Gnome (Dungeons & Dragons)|gnome]] village where the townfolk beg to be saved from a [[Chimera (Dungeons & Dragons)|chimera]] (the gnomes, unlike traditional ''Dungeons & Dragons'' gnomes, are very minuscule, standing about a foot tall).
==
After defeating the Arch [[Lich (Dungeons & Dragons)|Lich]] Deimos, the heroes continued on their journey through the [[Glantri|Broken Lands of Glantri]] after realizing that Deimos was only part of an even greater evil plan, and he was in fact being used by a mysterious sorceress named Synn, who appears to be a young woman but commands a powerful magical abilities, has been scheming to control the Kingdom of Glantri and conquer the humanoids of the Republic of Darokin. After Deimos was defeated, Synn vowed to punish the land that she desired.
At the game's end the player discovers that Synn is in fact a centuries-old [[Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)|red dragon]], bent on harnessing the mystical forces of the lands she has conquered, in order to awaken a creature of even more devastating physical prowess than herself - known and described only as The Fiend. The heroes then fight against Synn in her lair; when she is slain, her monster is also destroyed by an airship bombing.
==
[[File:Shadow over Mystara Characters.png|thumb|The character select screen]]
* '''Cleric''' (default name Greldon / Miles*): The Cleric's role is to be the party's [[Healer (gaming)|healer]] and buffer, but he is also a formidable warrior, possessing the best rushing attack in the game. He also has the ability to turn undead, instantly destroying [[Skeleton (Dungeons & Dragons)|skeletons]] and [[Ghoul (Dungeons & Dragons)|ghouls]], and can cast from a large library of clerical spells that can heal, strengthen allies, and debilitate or damage enemies. In line with classic ''Dungeons & Dragons'' rules, the cleric cannot wield any weapon that is bladed, but he can wield a spiked morningstar from which he gains new special attacks.
* '''Dwarf''' (default name Dimsdale / Hendel*): The Dwarf is a hardy character that has the most hit points in the game, and is able to deal the most physical damage in a short amount of time. His short stature allows him to safely pass under enemy projectiles. The Dwarf has strengths that lie in his special attacks rather than his normal attacks; he also has the unique ability to bash opened treasure chests to reveal extra gold and treasure.
* '''Elf''' (default name Lucia / Kayla*): The Elf is a female fighter-mage, combining the offense of a Fighter with the spells of a Magic-user. Although her capabilities in such are less powerful than that of the Fighter and Magic-User respectively, she remains a versatile and useful character. Her disadvantages are her low constitution and defense, and the shortest melee weapon reach in the game; the Elf's attack hitbox remains the same and is not improved even when using weapons longer than her default short sword. Much like the Dwarf, she reaches her maximum level fairly early in the game, which gives her an early advantage but just as well halts her progression abruptly and reduces the effectiveness of consumable magic items such as the Bottle of Efreet.
* '''Fighter''' (default name Crassus / Jarred*): The Fighter is a melee character with an excellent moveset, long weapon reach, high endurance, and the best armor class, making him suitable for beginners and experts alike. He can wield nearly every weapon in the game, including the two-handed sword, and is the only character with the ability to dual-wield with a short sword in his offhand. The Sword of Legends item in the game is named after the highest ranking Fighter in the [[Score (game)|high scores]].
* '''Magic-User''' (default name Syous / D'raven*): The Magic-User is a master of devastating spells but is physically the weakest character in the game; as such, he is quick to die when played by novices due to his low constitution and relatively weak melee abilities. To offset his low amount of health, the Magic-User has a useful teleportation move which allows him to dodge all physical attacks (and can be used to perform elaborate and damaging combos by experienced players), along with a spell that grants him temporary invulnerability. The Magic-User is a difficult but rewarding character to use that requires previous knowledge of the game and effective management of his spells. His offensive spells are greatly enhanced by the Staff of Wizardry, arguably making him the most powerful character in the game.
* '''Thief''' (default name Moriah / Shannon*): The female Thief is a quick and dexterous warrior with many unique acrobatic skills, such as a double jump, wall jump, back flip, and leap across the screen. She has the abilities to pick locks, detect traps, pickpocket enemies, and even back stab enemies for severe damage. The Thief also has an unlimited supply of rocks to sling with and utilizes flasks of burning oil in some of her special attacks, but suffers defensively due to her moderate constitution and lack of a shield. The Thief has the highest maximum level in the game and thus benefits the most from consumable magic items, such as the Bottle of Efreet, that increase in effectiveness with the character level.
* ''Default name playing with second version of these characters''.
Players, upon completion of their first stage, are prompted to enter a character name. Unlike many games at the time which only allow a person to enter three letters, ''Shadow over Mystara'' has space for six. The game provides a default name for each of the characters; the default name is also automatically used if the player tries to submit a blank name or use vulgarity.
==Release==
The arcade version of the game was released in 1996.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Consoles%20Plus/consoleplus_numero053/Consoles%20%2B%20053%20-%20Page%20034%20%281996-04%29.jpg |title=Salon (AOU 96): Le Japon En Direct - Dungeons & Dragons |magazine=[[:fr:Consoles +|Consoles +]] |issue=53 |publisher=[[:fr: M.E.R.7|M.E.R.7]] |date=April 1996 |page=34 |lang=fr}}</ref> The guide/art book was published by Shinseisha in the ''Gamest Mook'' series that same year.<ref name="GM34">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/gamest-mook-vol34-shadow-over-mystara |title=D&Dシャドーオーバーミスタラ |work=[[Gamest|Gamest Mook]] |volume=34 |publisher=[[Shinseisha]] |date=30 June 1996 |pages=1–200 |language=ja |isbn=978-4881992562}} ([http://shmuplations.com/dnd/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230192611/http://shmuplations.com/dnd/|date=2019-12-30}}).</ref>
===''Dungeons & Dragons Collection''===
''Dungeons & Dragons Collection'' is a two-disc [[Video game compilation|compilation]] of ''Tower of Doom'' and ''Shadow over Mystara''. It was released only in Japan on March 4, 1999, exclusively for the [[Sega Saturn]]. The ports have minor differences in gameplay, and there is a maximum of two players instead of the original four.<ref name=EGM97>{{cite magazine|title=Dungeons & Dragons Collection: Elves, Dwarves, Clerics and Knights|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=97 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=August 1997|page=94}}</ref> Originally Capcom planned to release ''Tower of Doom'' as a standalone title on Sega Saturn and [[PlayStation (console)|Sony PlayStation]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c7/EGM_US_080.pdf|title=Next Wave - Tower of Doom|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=80|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=March 1996|page=99}}</ref> but cancelled the plan early on. It was initially announced that the collection would be released for both the Saturn and PlayStation,<ref name=EGM97/><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Ken|last=Ogasawara|title=Tokyo Game Show '97|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=106 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=July 1997|pages=32–33}}</ref> with the PlayStation version due for a U.S. release,<ref name=EGM104>{{cite magazine |title=Dungeons & Dragons Collection |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=104 |date=March 1998 |page=48}}</ref> but the PlayStation version was never completed.
In 1999, [[GameSpot]]'s James Mielke criticized the loading times as "horrendous", with mid-level battles occasionally pausing to let data stream in, and "as a very basic scrolling hacker", he called it simply "OK" and average.<ref name="gspot1">{{cite web |last1=Mielke |first1=James |title=Dungeons & Dragons Collection Review for Saturn |url=https://www.gamespot.com/saturn/adventure/dungeonsdragonscollection/review.html |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=1 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040501231654/https://www.gamespot.com/saturn/adventure/dungeonsdragonscollection/review.html |archive-date=1 May 2004 |date=17 March 1999 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2005, [[IGN]] picked the ''Dungeons & Dragons Collection'' as one of the top ten co-op games.<ref>{{cite web | last=IGN Staff | title=Game Help Editors' Picks Co-Op Games | url=http://au.faqs.ign.com/articles/623/623396p1.html | website=IGN | access-date=2008-02-15 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210170648/http://au.faqs.ign.com/articles/623/623396p1.html | archive-date=February 10, 2012}}</ref> ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' included it on their list of ten essential Saturn imports, praising its "stunning animation thanks to using the 4MB ram pack" and opining that while it suffers from lengthy loading times, they called it the best scrolling fighter game on the system, and felt to be superior to [[Taito]]'s ''[[Pu·Li·Ru·La|PuLiRuLa]]'' and Capcom's own ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]'' (the ''Retro Gamer'' team were confusing ''Dynasty Warriors'' with ''[[Dynasty Wars]]'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retrogamer.net/top_10/top-ten-essential-saturn-imports/ |title=Top Ten Essential Saturn Imports |publisher=Retrogamer.net |date=2015-01-09 |access-date=2015-04-05}}</ref> In 2023, Time Extension included the collection on their top 25 "Best Beat 'Em Ups of All Time" list.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Banks |first1=George |title=Best Beat 'Em Ups Of All Time |url=https://www.timeextension.com/guides/best-beat-em-ups-of-all-time |website=Time Extension |publisher=Hookshot Media |access-date=19 February 2023 |date=14 February 2023}}</ref>
===''Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara''===
{{main|Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara}}
''Tower of Doom'' and ''Shadow over Mystara'' were released as part of the ''Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara'' compilation for the [[Wii U]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]] and [[Microsoft Windows]] in the summer of 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/capcoms-dungeons-and-dragons-collection-confirmed-6405781 |title=Capcom's Dungeons & Dragons collection confirmed |publisher=GameSpot.com |date=2013-03-22 |access-date=2013-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701084214/http://www.gamespot.com/news/capcoms-dungeons-and-dragons-collection-confirmed-6405781 |archive-date=2013-07-01 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==
{{Video game reviews
|Allgame = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="AGARCd&d:som">{{cite web |last=Thompson |first=Jon |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9970&tab=review |title=Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow Over Mystara (Arcade) - Review |work=[[AllGame]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |year=1998 |access-date=2020-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115014616/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9970&tab=review |archive-date=2014-11-15 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|NGen = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="NGenARCd&d:som">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-016#page/n101/mode/2up |title=Finals - Arcade - Dungeons and Dragons 2: Shadow over Mystar |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=16 |date=April 1996 |pages=98–101}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''[[:fr:Player One (magazine)|Player One]]''
|rev1Score = 95%<ref name="POARCd&d:som">{{cite magazine |last1=Delpierre |first1=Christophe |last2=Pottier |first2=Christophe |url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Player%20One/playerone_numero064/PlayerOne_N64-Page%200041.jpg |title=L'arcade dépasse les bornes! - Dungeons & Dragons 2: Shadow over Mystara (Capcom) |magazine=[[:fr:Player One (magazine)|Player One]] |issue=64 |publisher=[[:fr:Média Système Édition|Média Système Édition]] |date=May 1996 |page=41 |lang=fr}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[:pt:Supergamepower|Super Game Power]]''
|rev2Score = 4.0/5.0<ref name="SGPARCd&d:som">{{cite magazine |last=Kamikaze |first=Marcelo |url=https://archive.org/details/SuperGamePower_Ano_03_No._030_1996-09_Nova_Cultural_BR_pt/page/n38/mode/1up |title=Arcade - Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara |magazine=[[:pt:Supergamepower|Super Game Power]] |issue=30 |publisher=[[:pt:Editora Nova Cultural|Nova Cultural]] |date=September 1996 |page=39 |lang=pt}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[:pt:VideoGame|VideoGame]]''
|rev3Score = 9/10<ref name="VGARCd&d:som">{{cite magazine |last=Andrade |first=Mateus |url=https://retroscans.org/scans/revistas/video_game/videogame_61.pdf |title=Arcade - Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara |magazine=[[:pt:VideoGame|VideoGame]] |issue=61 |publisher=Editora Sigla |date=May 1996 |page=34 |lang=pt}}</ref>
|award1Pub = ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' (2008)
|award1 = #16 [[List of video games considered the best|Top 25 Arcade Games]]<ref name="RG54">{{cite magazine |title=Retro Gamer's Top 25 Arcade Games |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |issue=54 |publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]] |date=August 2008 |pages=60–69}}</ref>
|award2Pub = ''[[GameSpy]]'' (2011)
|award2 = #50 [[List of video games considered the best|Top 50 Arcade Games of All-Time]]<ref name="GSpy">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/115/1151159p1.html |title=GameSpy's Top 50 Arcade Games of All-Time - We pick the greatest coin-op games ever made |work=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=February 25, 2011 |access-date=2020-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211112613/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/115/1151159p1.html |archive-date=December 11, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|award3Pub = ''[[Heavy.com]]'' (2013)
|award3 = #18 [[List of video games considered the best|Top 25]] [[Beat 'em up|Beat 'Em Up]] [[Video Games]]<ref name="H.com">{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Elton |url=https://heavy.com/games/2013/05/the-top-25-beat-em-up-video-games-part-1/ |title=The Top 25 Beat 'Em Up Video Games – Part 1 |work=[[Heavy.com]] |publisher=Heavy Inc. |date=May 1, 2013 |access-date=2020-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917195046/https://heavy.com/games/2013/05/the-top-25-beat-em-up-video-games-part-1/ |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
''Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara'' has been very well received.<ref name="CVGARCd&d:som">{{cite magazine |last=Quan |first=Slasher |url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_174_1996-05_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n15/mode/1up |title=News: ACME Arcade Show Report - Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara (By Capcom) |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |issue=174 |publisher=[[EMAP]] |date=May 1996 |page=16 |access-date=2020-06-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324182645/https://archive.org/stream/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_174_1996-05_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n15/mode/1up |archive-date=2016-03-24 |url-status=live}}</ref> In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed the game on their April 1, 1996 issue as being the sixth most-popular arcade game at the time.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software) |magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]] |issue=515 |publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]] |date=1 April 1996 |page=25 |lang=ja}}</ref> On release, a reviewer for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' said that the game is "full of the stuff" that made the original fun. He further said that the game had refined ''Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom'', improving the animation quality to ''[[X-Men: Children of the Atom (video game)|X-Men: Children of the Atom]]'' level, expanding the number of playable characters, adding more stage branches and endings to create deeper gameplay and story, and incorporating more interesting character abilities such as wielding two swords. Despite this, he gave it only three out of five stars.<ref name="NGenARCd&d:som"/> Wataru Maruyama of ''[[VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine|VideoGames]]'' praised the game's "astounding" graphical details and called it "Capcom's latest masterpiece".<ref name="VGTUGMd&d:som">{{cite magazine |last=Maruyama |first=Wataru |url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AVideoGames_US_87.pdf&page=67 |title=RPG Attack - Dungeons And Dragons 2 (Arcade) |magazine=[[VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine]] |issue=87 |publisher=[[Larry Flynt Publications]] |date=April 1996 |page=67}}</ref> According to Allen Rausch of ''[[GameSpy]]'' in 2004, ''Shadows Over Mystara'' was a stellar game back when arcades were a place to find the hottest games, and that the game is still fun today.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rausch |first=Allen |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/540/540115p2.html |title=A History of D&D Video Games - Part IV: There have been some great D&D video games over the years, along with some we'd like to forget (Page 2) |work=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=August 18, 2004 |access-date=2020-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812221708/http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/540/540115p2.html |archive-date=August 12, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Spanish website ''MeriStation'' also gave it a positive retrospective outlook.<ref name="MSd&d:som">{{cite web |url=https://as.com/meristation/2008/10/25/reportajes/1224914700_037254.html |title=Regreso al pasado: Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara |work=[[:es:MeriStation|MeriStation]] |publisher=[[PRISA]] |date=March 2, 2012 |access-date=2020-06-28 |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628023514/https://as.com/meristation/2008/10/25/reportajes/1224914700_037254.html |archive-date=2020-06-28 |url-status=live}}</ref> Both ''Tower of Doom'' and ''Shadow over Mystara'' have since gained a cult following.<ref name="NLife">{{cite web |last=McFerran |first=Damien |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/03/feature_the_making_of_dungeons_and_dragons_tower_of_doom_and_shadow_over_mystara |title=Feature: The Making of Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom & Shadow Over Mystara - Hey waiter, you got some RPG in my beat 'em up! |work=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=March 25, 2013 |access-date=2020-06-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325122040/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/03/feature_the_making_of_dungeons_and_dragons_tower_of_doom_and_shadow_over_mystara |archive-date=2020-03-25 |url-status=live}}</ref>
''[[Retro Gamer]]'' ranked ''Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara'' as the sixteenth top retro arcade game.<ref name="RG54"/> In 2011, ''GameSpy'' ranked the game as number 50 on their list of the top arcade games, calling it "one of the most purely entertaining titles ever released" for any platform.<ref name="GSpy"/> In 2013, the title was ranked as the eighteenth top beat 'em up video game of all time by ''[[Heavy.com]]''.<ref name="H.com"/> ''[[Kotaku]]'' included it among the best looking beat 'em up games from the [[16-bit]] era.<ref>{{cite web |last=Vas |first=Gergo |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2013/03/the-best-looking-beat-em-up-games-from-the-16-bit-era/ |title=The Best Looking Beat 'em Up Games From The 16-Bit Era |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=March 13, 2013 |access-date=2020-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409114516/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2013/03/the-best-looking-beat-em-up-games-from-the-16-bit-era/ |archive-date=April 9, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'' ranked ''Shadow Over Mystara'' number 9 on their list of "The Top 11 Dungeons & Dragons Games of All Time" in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nix |first=Marc |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/05/the-top-11-dungeons-dragons-games-of-all-time |title=The Top 11 Dungeons & Dragons Games of All-Time - Decades of epic adventuring |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=February 5, 2014 |access-date=2020-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902005437/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/05/the-top-11-dungeons-dragons-games-of-all-time |archive-date=September 2, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{clear}}
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/dungeons-dragons-shadow-over-mystara}}
* {{KLOV game|7667}}
* [http://www.fantasyanime.com/valhalla/ddarcade.htm FantasyAnime's D&D section] - covers both D&D video games with full character bios, multimedia downloads, and an interview with one of the developers.
* {{IAg|arcade_ddsom}}
{{Dungeons & Dragons video games}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dungeons and Dragons: Shadow over Mystara}}
[[Category:1996 video games]]
[[Category:Action role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Cancelled PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:Capcom beat 'em ups]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:CP System II games]]
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Mystara]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:
[[Category:
[[Category:Video games about dragons]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Masato Kouda]]
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