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* ReptilesAreAbhorrent: Several obstacles are reptilians in the first two games. Averted with the dragon in ''64''.
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* CanonDiscontinuity: ''Shadowgate 64'' completely disregards ''Beyond Shadowgate'', probably because so few people would have been able to play it in the first place.
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[[TheManyDeathsOfYou Your torch runs out, you die. Open the wrong door, you die. Teleport inaccurately, you die. Move forward when a monster is still standing, you die. Use the wrong weapon on a monster, you die. Use a weapon on yourself, you die. Reach for the wrong item, you die. Etc. Etc.]]
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[[TheManyDeathsOfYou Your torch runs out, you die. Open the wrong door, you die. Teleport inaccurately, you die. Move forward when a monster is still standing, you die. Use the wrong weapon on a monster, you die. Use a weapon on yourself, you die. Reach for the wrong item, you die. Etc. Etc. Die.]]
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Since it\'s not an actual quote
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[[caption-width-right:256:[-[[Literature/TheDivineComedy Abandon all your free time, ye who enter.]]-] ]]
to:
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* TheManyDeathsOfYou: Taken UpToEleven . Either this game's greatest strength or its greatest weakeness: You are going to die. A lot. But at least theirs a good variety.
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Famous among adventure games for its innovative and groundbreaking story. Just kidding. The story is just a typical story of a hero venturing into the lair of the BigBad to take him out and save the world. [[TropesAreTools So what?]] The real stars of the game are [[HaveANiceDeath how many deaths are possible,]] and the diversity and size of the castle itself. It's hard to say the exact percentage, but there are actually a few YouTube videos of all the possible deaths.
Your torch runs out, you die. Open the wrong door, you die. Teleport inaccurately, you die. Move forward when a monster is still standing, you die. Use the wrong weapon on a monster, you die. Use a weapon on yourself, you die. Reach for the wrong item, you die. Etc. Etc.
Your torch runs out, you die. Open the wrong door, you die. Teleport inaccurately, you die. Move forward when a monster is still standing, you die. Use the wrong weapon on a monster, you die. Use a weapon on yourself, you die. Reach for the wrong item, you die. Etc. Etc.
to:
Famous among adventure games for its innovative and groundbreaking story. Just kidding. The story is just a typical story of a hero venturing into the lair of the BigBad to take him out and save the world. [[TropesAreTools So what?]] what? The real stars of the game are [[HaveANiceDeath how many deaths are possible,]] and the diversity and size of the castle itself. It's hard to say the exact percentage, but there are actually a few YouTube videos of all the possible deaths.
[[TheManyDeathsOfYou Your torch runs out, you die. Open the wrong door, you die. Teleport inaccurately, you die. Move forward when a monster is still standing, you die. Use the wrong weapon on a monster, you die. Use a weapon on yourself, you die. Reach for the wrong item, you die. Etc.Etc.
Etc.]]
[[TheManyDeathsOfYou Your torch runs out, you die. Open the wrong door, you die. Teleport inaccurately, you die. Move forward when a monster is still standing, you die. Use the wrong weapon on a monster, you die. Use a weapon on yourself, you die. Reach for the wrong item, you die. Etc.
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It got a couple of sequels, ''Beyond Shadowgate'' for the [[TurboGrafx16 Turbo CD]] and ''Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers'' for the {{Nintendo 64}}. Additionally, a {{Kickstarter}} [[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zojoi/shadowgate/ has been started with the goal of remaking the original game]].
Compare ''{{Uninvited}}'' and ''VideoGame/DejaVu'', and all these three games are by {{Kemco}}.
Compare ''{{Uninvited}}'' and ''VideoGame/DejaVu'', and all these three games are by {{Kemco}}.
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Compare ''{{Uninvited}}'' and ''VideoGame/DejaVu'', and all these three games are by {{Kemco}}.
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''Shadowgate'' is an adventure game originally for the AppleMacintosh Macintosh, and ported to many other systems, such as [[IBMPersonalComputer Windows]], {{Amiga}}, GameBoyColor, and, perhaps most famously, the NintendoEntertainmentSystem.
to:
''Shadowgate'' is an adventure game originally AdventureGame created by Creator/ICOMSimulations, the third of their [=MacVenture=] series. Originally released in 1987 for the AppleMacintosh Macintosh, and AppleMacintosh, it was ported to many other systems, such as [[IBMPersonalComputer Windows]], {{Amiga}}, GameBoyColor, and, perhaps most famously, the NintendoEntertainmentSystem.
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* EverythingTryingToKillYou: And how!
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* EverythingTryingToKillYou: And how!It's an old school dungeon crawler CRPG, a la Wizardry or MightAndMagic, so expect most a LOT of ugly, angry opposition.
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A revival project funded by {{Kickstarter}} is currently on the verge of being funded is currently being campaigned [[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zojoi/shadowgate here]].
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A revival project funded by {{Kickstarter}} is currently on the verge has reached its goal of being funded securing funding and is currently being campaigned [[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zojoi/shadowgate here]].
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** Which begs the question: [[FridgeLogic even falling over kills you here, how the HECK did he get to the bottom of the dungeon without killing himself 20 times over?]]
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** Which begs the question: [[FridgeLogic even falling over kills you here, how the HECK did he that darned Warlock get to the bottom of the dungeon without killing himself HIMSELF 20 times over?]]
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** Which begs the question: [[FridgeLogic even falling over kills you here, how the HECK did he get to the bottom of the dungeon without killing himself 20 times over?]]
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A revival project funded by {{Kickstarter}} is currently on the verge of being funded is currently being campaigned [[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zojoi/shadowgate here]].
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* DeathIsASlapOnTheWrist: If you die in this game (and, [[EverythingTryingToKillYou rest assured]], [[TheManyDeathsOfYou you will]]), the game starts you one screen back from where you died.
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It got a couple of sequels, ''Beyond Shadowgate'' for the [[TurboGrafx16 Turbo CD]] and ''Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers'' for the {{Nintendo 64}}.
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It got a couple of sequels, ''Beyond Shadowgate'' for the [[TurboGrafx16 Turbo CD]] and ''Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers'' for the {{Nintendo 64}}.
64}}. Additionally, a {{Kickstarter}} [[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zojoi/shadowgate/ has been started with the goal of remaking the original game]].
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Compare ''{{Uninvited}}'' and ''VideoGame/DejaVu'', both by the same developer.
to:
Compare ''{{Uninvited}}'' and ''VideoGame/DejaVu'', both and all these three games are by the same developer.{{Kemco}}.
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''Shadowgate'' is an adventure game originally for the [[AppleMacintosh Macintosh]], and ported to many other systems, such as [[IBMPersonalComputer Windows]], {{Amiga}}, GameBoyColor, and perhaps most famously the {{N|intendoEntertainmentSystem}}ES.
Famous among adventure games for its innovative and groundbreaking story. Just kidding. The story is just a typical story of a hero venturing into the lair of the BigBad to take him out and save the world. [[TropesAreNotBad So what]]? The real stars of the game are [[HaveANiceDeath how many deaths are possible,]] and the diversity and size of the castle itself. It's hard to say the exact percentage, but there are actually a few [=YouTube=] videos of all the possible deaths.
Your torch runs out, you die. Move forward when a monster is still standing, you die. Teleport inaccurately, you die. Use a weapon on yourself, you die. Reach for the wrong item, you die. Open the wrong door, you die. Etc. Etc.
Yet, for some, that is half the fun of the game. For others, it's the still challenging puzzle solving, since this game has a time limit, which is relatively uncommon now.
Famous among adventure games for its innovative and groundbreaking story. Just kidding. The story is just a typical story of a hero venturing into the lair of the BigBad to take him out and save the world. [[TropesAreNotBad So what]]? The real stars of the game are [[HaveANiceDeath how many deaths are possible,]] and the diversity and size of the castle itself. It's hard to say the exact percentage, but there are actually a few [=YouTube=] videos of all the possible deaths.
Your torch runs out, you die. Move forward when a monster is still standing, you die. Teleport inaccurately, you die. Use a weapon on yourself, you die. Reach for the wrong item, you die. Open the wrong door, you die. Etc. Etc.
Yet, for some, that is half the fun of the game. For others, it's the still challenging puzzle solving, since this game has a time limit, which is relatively uncommon now.
to:
->''[[GameOver "It is a sad thing that your adventures have ended here!"]]''
''Shadowgate'' is an adventure game originally for the[[AppleMacintosh Macintosh]], AppleMacintosh Macintosh, and ported to many other systems, such as [[IBMPersonalComputer Windows]], {{Amiga}}, GameBoyColor, and and, perhaps most famously famously, the {{N|intendoEntertainmentSystem}}ES.
NintendoEntertainmentSystem.
Famous among adventure games for its innovative and groundbreaking story. Just kidding. The story is just a typical story of a hero venturing into the lair of the BigBad to take him out and save the world.[[TropesAreNotBad [[TropesAreTools So what]]? what?]] The real stars of the game are [[HaveANiceDeath how many deaths are possible,]] and the diversity and size of the castle itself. It's hard to say the exact percentage, but there are actually a few [=YouTube=] YouTube videos of all the possible deaths.
Your torch runs out, you die. Open the wrong door, you die. Teleport inaccurately, you die. Move forward when a monster is still standing, you die.Teleport inaccurately, Use the wrong weapon on a monster, you die. Use a weapon on yourself, you die. Reach for the wrong item, you die. Open the wrong door, you die. Etc. Etc.
Yet, for some, that is half the fun of the game. For others,it's the appeal the still challenging puzzle solving, since this game has a time limit, which is relatively uncommon for such games, even now.
''Shadowgate'' is an adventure game originally for the
Famous among adventure games for its innovative and groundbreaking story. Just kidding. The story is just a typical story of a hero venturing into the lair of the BigBad to take him out and save the world.
Your torch runs out, you die. Open the wrong door, you die. Teleport inaccurately, you die. Move forward when a monster is still standing, you die.
Yet, for some, that is half the fun of the game. For others,
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* PimpedOutDress: The princess is wearing one at the end, in the versions she appears.
* PressXToDie: Using your SOCKO power -- er, the "Hit" command -- on nearly any enemy will get YOU killed.
* PressXToDie: Using your SOCKO power -- er, the "Hit" command -- on nearly any enemy will get YOU killed.
to:
* PimpedOutDress: The princess is wearing one at the end, in the versions she appears.
appears. The NES version has her in a white dress, possibly with [[PrettyInMink white fur trim]] (the [[http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shadowgate_ending_modded_01.png bitmap image]] leave it up in the air).
* PressXToDie: Usingyour SOCKO power -- er, the "Hit" command -- on nearly any enemy will ''will'' get YOU you killed.
* PressXToDie: Using
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* StandardHeroReward
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* StandardHeroRewardStandardHeroReward: [[spoiler:"You are bestowed a kingdom to rule, and the king's fair daughter's hand!!"]]
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----
->It is a sad thing that your adventures have ended here!
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* LetsPlay: A rather hilarious one by DeceasedCrab and [=MadamLuna=].
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* LetsPlay: A rather hilarious one by DeceasedCrab LetsPlay/DeceasedCrab and [=MadamLuna=].
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->It is a sad thing that your adventures have ended here!
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->It is a sad thing that your adventures have ended here!
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''Shadowgate'' is an adventure game originally for the [[AppleMacintosh Mac OS]], and ported to many other systems, such as Windows, {{Amiga}}, GameBoyColor, and perhaps most famously the {{N|intendoEntertainmentSystem}}ES.
to:
''Shadowgate'' is an adventure game originally for the [[AppleMacintosh Mac OS]], Macintosh]], and ported to many other systems, such as Windows, [[IBMPersonalComputer Windows]], {{Amiga}}, GameBoyColor, and perhaps most famously the {{N|intendoEntertainmentSystem}}ES.
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Also has a fantastic soundtrack (the NES and GameBoy Colour versions that is).
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Also has a fantastic soundtrack (the NES and GameBoy Colour Game Boy Color versions that is).
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Compare ''{{Uninvited}}'' and ''DejaVu'', both by the same developer.
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----
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Compare ''{{Uninvited}}'' and ''DejaVu'', ''VideoGame/DejaVu'', both by the same developer.
----
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** Since the room with that spell is ''before'' the Troll Bridge it's not much of a problem. In fact, the LetsPlay mentioned above shows what to do in that situation.
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** There are a couple cases where the hero is dumb of his own volition. For example, the player telling the hero to go down a well results in the hero ''diving head first''!
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* LetsPlay: A rather hilarious one by DeceasedCrab and [=MadamLuna=].
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** This is even true in rooms where there's a visible light source or if the "room" is outside.
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** It would be easier to list the traps that aren't fatal, and at least one is randomly fatal.
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*** Anything except the specific weapon designed for a particular enemy is useless.
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* NoOSHACompliance: There are more than a few things in the game that will collapse if you try to walk on them or climb them.
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* NoOSHACompliance: There are more than a few things in the game that will collapse if you try to walk on them or climb them. In some versions of the game this is justified, since the backstory establishes that Castle Shadowgate had been abandoned for centuries before the Warlock Lord moved in, and presumably fixing the place up wasn't high on his list of priorities.
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* UnwinnableByMistake: After defeating the Bridge Troll for the first time and making it a significant amount further, don't backtrack to the other side again before you learn the "Humana" spell, or you'll never be able to cross the bridge again once the troll has climbed back up.
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[[quoteright:256:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shadowgate_title.gif]]
[[caption-width-right:256:[-[[Literature/TheDivineComedy Abandon all your free time, ye who enter.]]-] ]]
''Shadowgate'' is an adventure game originally for the [[AppleMacintosh Mac OS]], and ported to many other systems, such as Windows, {{Amiga}}, GameBoyColor, and perhaps most famously the {{N|intendoEntertainmentSystem}}ES.
Famous among adventure games for its innovative and groundbreaking story. Just kidding. The story is just a typical story of a hero venturing into the lair of the BigBad to take him out and save the world. [[TropesAreNotBad So what]]? The real stars of the game are [[HaveANiceDeath how many deaths are possible,]] and the diversity and size of the castle itself. It's hard to say the exact percentage, but there are actually a few [=YouTube=] videos of all the possible deaths.
Your torch runs out, you die. Move forward when a monster is still standing, you die. Teleport inaccurately, you die. Use a weapon on yourself, you die. Reach for the wrong item, you die. Open the wrong door, you die. Etc. Etc.
Yet, for some, that is half the fun of the game. For others, it's the still challenging puzzle solving, since this game has a time limit, which is relatively uncommon now.
Also has a fantastic soundtrack (the NES and GameBoy Colour versions that is).
It got a couple of sequels, ''Beyond Shadowgate'' for the [[TurboGrafx16 Turbo CD]] and ''Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers'' for the {{Nintendo 64}}.
Compare ''{{Uninvited}}'' and ''DejaVu'', both by the same developer.
----
!!This game provides examples of:
* AscendedExtra: Lakmir plays a ''much'' greater role in ''Shadowgate 64'' than he did in the original title.
* ArmorIsUseless: The game and instruction manual gives a few references to your hero's armor... and you can get a spiffy new helmet, shield, and gauntlets from the castle. But everything still kills you. You should have been a purple-underwear-clad nudie like Ace Harding in the beginning of ''Deja Vu II''.
* AwesomeButImpractical: The "Hit" command shows a screen-filling, dramatic "POW!"... but it is ''worthless worthless worthless'' except for two occasions (entering the arrow room, and accessing the gem bag). Use it on almost any enemy and you are MEATSAUCE.
** Hell, even the ''sword'' is only useful on one enemy, and ''he'' has to already be unconscious for it to work.
* BoobyTrap: Numerous, such as for instance floors that open up, a mirror that leads to outer space, and what not.
* [[ChainedToARock Chained to a Wall]]: The chained woman in the original [[spoiler:who's really a werewolf and will handily kill the player if freed]].
* DarknessEqualsDeath: You have two torches. You have to keep at least one of them lit, or else you'll stumble around in darkness until you die.
* EmphasizeEverything: The NES version has all text in ALLCAPS, and some sentences (particularly involving surprises or deaths) end with TWO EXCLAMATION POINTS!!
** [[http://zanyvgquotes.com/ The drama! The drama!]]
* EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses: At the end, you are offered her hand as part of the standard reward.
* EverythingTryingToKillYou: And how!
* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: The NES version had most of the deaths intact, most of which described some pretty gory scenes, even though they were in text.
** At the time this game came out, Nintendo was pretty tight on the censorship. Yet the word "Hell" appears in at least four instances of gameplay.
** And even now that isn't enough for a "T for Teen" rating. The Game Boy Color version (which was a minor remake of the NES version, but with enhanced graphics and extra language options) received an "E for everyone" rating, which means the game managed this ''twice''.
* GuideDangIt
* HaveANiceDeath: The descriptions are varied, and can get fairly graphic.
* HeroicMime: Inverted. The hero actually seems to be perfectly capable of speech; it just so happens that no-one in Castle Shadowgate can actually understand what you're saying. Weirdly, this includes the sphinx (who speaks to you during the course of the game) and the BigBad. The only person that ''can'' understand you is the troll, and even then he just says that he doesn't feel like speaking, and tells you to get lost.
* HintSystem: The most useless one in adventure gaming. When you get to the point where you'd really ''need'' it, all it does is tell you some variation on, "Don't give up!"
* HollywoodTorches: Horrifyingly averted.
* InterfaceScrew: Three instances in ''Shadowgate 64''. A room in the Tower of Trials (filled with spinning blades) alters your directional movement. Wearing the Blue Ring also alters them in the same way. Finally, drinking either the Liquid Sunset or the Night Elixir makes your vision swagger around as if you're drunk for a while.
* MalevolentArchitecture: Someone would have to make a video game of TombOfHorrors to make a more dangerous place.
* TheManyDeathsOfYou
* MoonLogicPuzzle: How was I supposed to know that [[spoiler: the replica of a shooting star would turn into a ''real'' shooting star when I threw it]], or that it was [[spoiler: the only way to kill the wyvern]]?!
** So what do I do with this wand? Why point it at a snake statue that is halfway across the castle so it....turns into a staff. Yeah.
*** Well, the wand does have a picture of a snake on it.
** So what's the "special" torch for? Killing a wraith. Wait, what?
** Well, you obviously need that cloak for heat protection.
** The hellhound's only weakness? A vial of water. Not holy water, just water (at least there is no indication until you throw it). Must suffer from Wicked Witch syndrome.
*** It is indicated somewhat; examining the vial reveals that there's a cross printed on it.
* NintendoHard
* NoOSHACompliance: There are more than a few things in the game that will collapse if you try to walk on them or climb them.
* PimpedOutDress: The princess is wearing one at the end, in the versions she appears.
* PressXToDie: Using your SOCKO power -- er, the "Hit" command -- on nearly any enemy will get YOU killed.
* RedHerring: All over the place.
* RiddleOfTheSphinx: One room has a Sphinx, and the player must answer his riddle by showing him the item that it describes. ([[TheManyDeathsOfYou Surprisingly enough]], you don't die if you answer incorrectly; instead, you just get transported to another room.)
* SchmuckBait: No shortage of this. Word to the wise: EXAMINE things before you take/use/etc. them.
* SdrawkcabName: The "Epor" spell.
* SequelHook: "The first story's end." Fortunately there were sequels.
* SequenceBreaking: If you go into the room of flames, you get sent back to the previous room. You're expected to go find the cloak to protect you from the heat. However, if you kill yourself after being sent back, the game respawns you in the last room you where in; the flaming room, allowing you to bypass the cloak altogether.
* SongsInTheKeyOfPanic: In the NES version, a creepy tone plays when you have one torch remaining and it's close to being snuffed out.
* StandardHeroReward
* SubvertedRhymeEveryOccasion: The game tells you what must be done in the form of your typical rhyming prophecy, the last two lines of which are ''"Joining two, the Golden Blade/The last to invoke, the Platinum Horn"''. There is no obvious reason this was done except to break the rhyme, as the item referred to is indeed called the Golden Thorn.
* TrialAndErrorGameplay: Loads of it.
** One room is a hall of mirrors, and you have to guess which mirror to smash to continue. Smash the wrong one, and you get sucked out into space, or the broken glass kills you.
* TimedMission: The limited amount of torches. Also, in the PC version, taking too long anyway will allow the Warlock Lord to summon the Behemoth, and you lose no matter where you are at that point.
* TooDumbToLive: The main protagonist, depending on how you play the game.
* TrollBridge: A troll who wants a toll. Or he'll kill you. [[spoiler:Of course, this being Shadowgate, he'll kill you even if he gets it. Possibly justified in the first time you see him you don't ''have'' gold, and can only get by him by hitting him with a spear. The second time, you ''do'' have gold, but he's probably pretty sore about you hitting him with a spear.]]
* UnwinnableByDesign: If you take too long to solve the game's puzzles, eventually you'll run out of torches, and then you're utterly screwed. Thankfully, the torches have a much longer burn duration in the console versions.
** Worse in the PC version. Each spell can be used only once (unlike the console version, where you can use a spell multiple times), and using the wrong spell at the wrong time can make the game unwinnable.
* ViolationOfCommonSense
* WithThisHerring: You enter Castle Shadowgate with merely a torch and worthless armor.
----
->It is a sad thing that your adventures have ended here!
[[caption-width-right:256:[-[[Literature/TheDivineComedy Abandon all your free time, ye who enter.]]-] ]]
''Shadowgate'' is an adventure game originally for the [[AppleMacintosh Mac OS]], and ported to many other systems, such as Windows, {{Amiga}}, GameBoyColor, and perhaps most famously the {{N|intendoEntertainmentSystem}}ES.
Famous among adventure games for its innovative and groundbreaking story. Just kidding. The story is just a typical story of a hero venturing into the lair of the BigBad to take him out and save the world. [[TropesAreNotBad So what]]? The real stars of the game are [[HaveANiceDeath how many deaths are possible,]] and the diversity and size of the castle itself. It's hard to say the exact percentage, but there are actually a few [=YouTube=] videos of all the possible deaths.
Your torch runs out, you die. Move forward when a monster is still standing, you die. Teleport inaccurately, you die. Use a weapon on yourself, you die. Reach for the wrong item, you die. Open the wrong door, you die. Etc. Etc.
Yet, for some, that is half the fun of the game. For others, it's the still challenging puzzle solving, since this game has a time limit, which is relatively uncommon now.
Also has a fantastic soundtrack (the NES and GameBoy Colour versions that is).
It got a couple of sequels, ''Beyond Shadowgate'' for the [[TurboGrafx16 Turbo CD]] and ''Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers'' for the {{Nintendo 64}}.
Compare ''{{Uninvited}}'' and ''DejaVu'', both by the same developer.
----
!!This game provides examples of:
* AscendedExtra: Lakmir plays a ''much'' greater role in ''Shadowgate 64'' than he did in the original title.
* ArmorIsUseless: The game and instruction manual gives a few references to your hero's armor... and you can get a spiffy new helmet, shield, and gauntlets from the castle. But everything still kills you. You should have been a purple-underwear-clad nudie like Ace Harding in the beginning of ''Deja Vu II''.
* AwesomeButImpractical: The "Hit" command shows a screen-filling, dramatic "POW!"... but it is ''worthless worthless worthless'' except for two occasions (entering the arrow room, and accessing the gem bag). Use it on almost any enemy and you are MEATSAUCE.
** Hell, even the ''sword'' is only useful on one enemy, and ''he'' has to already be unconscious for it to work.
* BoobyTrap: Numerous, such as for instance floors that open up, a mirror that leads to outer space, and what not.
* [[ChainedToARock Chained to a Wall]]: The chained woman in the original [[spoiler:who's really a werewolf and will handily kill the player if freed]].
* DarknessEqualsDeath: You have two torches. You have to keep at least one of them lit, or else you'll stumble around in darkness until you die.
* EmphasizeEverything: The NES version has all text in ALLCAPS, and some sentences (particularly involving surprises or deaths) end with TWO EXCLAMATION POINTS!!
** [[http://zanyvgquotes.com/ The drama! The drama!]]
* EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses: At the end, you are offered her hand as part of the standard reward.
* EverythingTryingToKillYou: And how!
* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: The NES version had most of the deaths intact, most of which described some pretty gory scenes, even though they were in text.
** At the time this game came out, Nintendo was pretty tight on the censorship. Yet the word "Hell" appears in at least four instances of gameplay.
** And even now that isn't enough for a "T for Teen" rating. The Game Boy Color version (which was a minor remake of the NES version, but with enhanced graphics and extra language options) received an "E for everyone" rating, which means the game managed this ''twice''.
* GuideDangIt
* HaveANiceDeath: The descriptions are varied, and can get fairly graphic.
* HeroicMime: Inverted. The hero actually seems to be perfectly capable of speech; it just so happens that no-one in Castle Shadowgate can actually understand what you're saying. Weirdly, this includes the sphinx (who speaks to you during the course of the game) and the BigBad. The only person that ''can'' understand you is the troll, and even then he just says that he doesn't feel like speaking, and tells you to get lost.
* HintSystem: The most useless one in adventure gaming. When you get to the point where you'd really ''need'' it, all it does is tell you some variation on, "Don't give up!"
* HollywoodTorches: Horrifyingly averted.
* InterfaceScrew: Three instances in ''Shadowgate 64''. A room in the Tower of Trials (filled with spinning blades) alters your directional movement. Wearing the Blue Ring also alters them in the same way. Finally, drinking either the Liquid Sunset or the Night Elixir makes your vision swagger around as if you're drunk for a while.
* MalevolentArchitecture: Someone would have to make a video game of TombOfHorrors to make a more dangerous place.
* TheManyDeathsOfYou
* MoonLogicPuzzle: How was I supposed to know that [[spoiler: the replica of a shooting star would turn into a ''real'' shooting star when I threw it]], or that it was [[spoiler: the only way to kill the wyvern]]?!
** So what do I do with this wand? Why point it at a snake statue that is halfway across the castle so it....turns into a staff. Yeah.
*** Well, the wand does have a picture of a snake on it.
** So what's the "special" torch for? Killing a wraith. Wait, what?
** Well, you obviously need that cloak for heat protection.
** The hellhound's only weakness? A vial of water. Not holy water, just water (at least there is no indication until you throw it). Must suffer from Wicked Witch syndrome.
*** It is indicated somewhat; examining the vial reveals that there's a cross printed on it.
* NintendoHard
* NoOSHACompliance: There are more than a few things in the game that will collapse if you try to walk on them or climb them.
* PimpedOutDress: The princess is wearing one at the end, in the versions she appears.
* PressXToDie: Using your SOCKO power -- er, the "Hit" command -- on nearly any enemy will get YOU killed.
* RedHerring: All over the place.
* RiddleOfTheSphinx: One room has a Sphinx, and the player must answer his riddle by showing him the item that it describes. ([[TheManyDeathsOfYou Surprisingly enough]], you don't die if you answer incorrectly; instead, you just get transported to another room.)
* SchmuckBait: No shortage of this. Word to the wise: EXAMINE things before you take/use/etc. them.
* SdrawkcabName: The "Epor" spell.
* SequelHook: "The first story's end." Fortunately there were sequels.
* SequenceBreaking: If you go into the room of flames, you get sent back to the previous room. You're expected to go find the cloak to protect you from the heat. However, if you kill yourself after being sent back, the game respawns you in the last room you where in; the flaming room, allowing you to bypass the cloak altogether.
* SongsInTheKeyOfPanic: In the NES version, a creepy tone plays when you have one torch remaining and it's close to being snuffed out.
* StandardHeroReward
* SubvertedRhymeEveryOccasion: The game tells you what must be done in the form of your typical rhyming prophecy, the last two lines of which are ''"Joining two, the Golden Blade/The last to invoke, the Platinum Horn"''. There is no obvious reason this was done except to break the rhyme, as the item referred to is indeed called the Golden Thorn.
* TrialAndErrorGameplay: Loads of it.
** One room is a hall of mirrors, and you have to guess which mirror to smash to continue. Smash the wrong one, and you get sucked out into space, or the broken glass kills you.
* TimedMission: The limited amount of torches. Also, in the PC version, taking too long anyway will allow the Warlock Lord to summon the Behemoth, and you lose no matter where you are at that point.
* TooDumbToLive: The main protagonist, depending on how you play the game.
* TrollBridge: A troll who wants a toll. Or he'll kill you. [[spoiler:Of course, this being Shadowgate, he'll kill you even if he gets it. Possibly justified in the first time you see him you don't ''have'' gold, and can only get by him by hitting him with a spear. The second time, you ''do'' have gold, but he's probably pretty sore about you hitting him with a spear.]]
* UnwinnableByDesign: If you take too long to solve the game's puzzles, eventually you'll run out of torches, and then you're utterly screwed. Thankfully, the torches have a much longer burn duration in the console versions.
** Worse in the PC version. Each spell can be used only once (unlike the console version, where you can use a spell multiple times), and using the wrong spell at the wrong time can make the game unwinnable.
* ViolationOfCommonSense
* WithThisHerring: You enter Castle Shadowgate with merely a torch and worthless armor.
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->It is a sad thing that your adventures have ended here!
