Game of the Month: July 2025 - Shapeshifter

[geise]

Shapeshifter

Sorry for missing last month. Had some major personal family stuff going on as well as my wife losing her job, but things are back on track. So, time for me to finally sit down with some gaming. This month is Shapeshifter. Icom has made some stinkers, but this is a game that I actually like. It kinda reminds me of Wrath of the Deamon on Amiga and ST which is a Shadow of the Beast clone, but this has more action/platforming mixed in. It even has some light role playing mixed in. Much of the game consists of traversing hostile areas, fighting regular enemies on the way and defeating bosses. The town area where Lykos can replenish his health and buy any of the three available weapons (axe, mace, or bow). These weapons can be upgraded by enchanting them or picking up power-ups. After Lykos rescues a wizard he gains access to a transformation power. Transformations require special gems and cannot be performed if Lykos runs out of them. There are four transformations in the game: the panther can jump over large gaps; the shark can swim; the golem can jump higher; and the golden dragon can fly. Each of these forms can also collect power-ups that unlocks a few other attack abilities. The game's stages are interconnected, but usually a new form must be acquired before Lykos can access a new area. Lykos has eight lives consisting of smaller health units (hearts). The game can only be saved in the town. I have never given the game enough time back in the day and never put this on my clear list. Hopefully I have the time to get through this one. Hope you all enjoy!

[Mathius]

I have tried and tried and tried to get into SS since acquiring the game 16 years ago. The SotB-esque multi-plane scrolling is breathtaking, but like with many Amiga titles the gameplay just kinda suffers here and there. The Brothers Duomazov had a great review on their site along with a superb interview with the a dev team member that I would always read before going back in for another go. I miss that site so much!

Geise, did your wife find re-employment?

[Necromancer]

I, too, really like Shape Shifter.  It's a nice looking game, though it plays a tad clunky.  I've never been able to be at it, but maybe nows my chance?

Pity about your wifu.  Hopefully things are good now.

[geise]

My wife found a job within 2 weeks before she was even fully let go from her company. So now she gets to fully work remote and makes even more than her previous job. Her new place is amazing. Now she also gets to collect 8 weeks severance pay on top of her paycheck. Lol! So we bankin'. Anyway. I have actually been enjoying Shapeshifter this time. I was also not a huge fan back in the day, but I have been enjoying it this time around.

[Mathius]

My wife found a job within 2 weeks before she was even fully let go from her company. So now she gets to fully work remote and makes even more than her previous job. Her new place is amazing. Now she also gets to collect 8 weeks severance pay on top of her paycheck. Lol! So we bankin'. Anyway. I have actually been enjoying Shapeshifter this time. I was also not a huge fan back in the day, but I have been enjoying it this time around.

All around good to hear, brother.

[majors]

Can't say I ever played SS before, nor did I have any interest until being GotM. It does have a lot of voice acting and some of the characters in the shop screens have interesting art. (trying to be positive)

I'm not a fan. Maybe it was rushed by Icom or they just didn't have game design chops on the TG-16, but the game play is rough and graphics on the side scrolling action look ugly to me. Was this game a port from a computer? And how the heck did it get a JP release?

At least now I know after 30 years that I wasn't missing much.