[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/98dab419307fdf34fe46a9aab32b9fe6.jpg]]

''Shamus'' is a 1982 computer game created by William Mataga and published by Creator/SynapseSoftware for Platform/Atari8BitComputers.

Inspired by ''Videogame/{{Berzerk}}'', Shamus, a 21st-century robo-detective, must travel a maze of 128 screens to find and destroy the evil Shadow (himself an {{Expy}} of Evil Otto). He must find the right keys to unlock doors, collecting "mysteries" that give points or extra lives (or summon the Shadow), and defeat many, ''many'' enemies. You're equipped with an unlimited supply of [="Ion-SHIVs"=], laser throwing knives that can vaporize nearly any enemy in your path.

Followed by a very hard-to-find sequel, ''Shamus: Case II''.

Was pretty much on every computer platform (Platform/AppleII, Platform/{{Commodore 64}}, Platform/IBMPersonalComputer, etc.) by 1984. Ported to the Platform/GameBoyColor in 1999.

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!!Tropes:

%%* CoatHatMask: That'd be you.
* DeadlyWalls: Touch any wall and YOU ARE DEAD.
* EverythingTryingToKillYou: Everything, including the walls.
* EvilIsAngular: The "good" Shamus is curved like a humanoid, but the "evil" Shadow has a squarish face and stick-like appendages.
* {{Expy}}: The Shadow is one, of ''Berzerk's'' Evil Otto. Both are fast, unbeatable stalkers that will chase you out of a DeadlyWalls maze (and they ignore said walls) if you don't leave fast enough.
* FriendlyFireproof: Averted with the mooks. Their bullets are as deadly to them as you.
* FunWithAcronyms: Your "Ion-SHIV", a.k.a. the "Ion '''S'''hort '''H'''igh-'''I'''ntensity '''V'''aporizer".
* HitboxDissonance: In the Atari and Platform/ColorComputer versions, it is entirely possible for horizontal enemy bullets to pass safely through the space between the hat and the head.
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: You're a robotic detective.
* OneBulletAtATime: Depending on version, you can have up to two [=Ion-SHIVs=] on the screen at once.
* OneHitPointWonder: Both you and the enemy mooks die in a single poke.
* SpiritualSuccessor: Of ''VideoGame/{{Berzerk}}''. Both involve mazes with deadly walls filled with robots, in which a stalker will chase you out if you don't leave fast enough. Unlike ''Berzerk'', this is ''not'' an EndlessGame.
* StalkedByTheBell: The Shadow. If you don't exit a room fast enough, the Shadow will chase you out.
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