Nightshade, entitled Nightshade Part 1: The Claws of Sutekh onscreen, is a 1992 action-adventure game developed by Beam Software and published by Ultra Games for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game was meant to be the first part in a series, but no sequels were ever made; however, it served as the basis for Beam Software's video game adaptation of 'Shadowrun.
It was released on the Nintendo Switch for the Nintendo Classics service in December 2020.
Plot
The game takes place in a fictional urban city called Metro City. As the story unfolds, the city's local superhero named Vortex is outnumbered by gangs and killed. Higher popularity meant greater recognition by everyday citizens of Metro City and allowed Nightshade access to more areas.
The game also included fighting segments that required quick button responses.
Development
According to Pauli Kidd, who served as the director, writer and lead designer, she was not allowed to put a battery-backed ROM to allow save files.
The first four traps each had a solution and Nightshade would escape back onto the streets of Metro City (minus some popularity points). The final one does not, and the player would have to start over from the beginning of the game. Additionally the game begins with Nightshade tied to a chair, next to which Sutekh has placed a small bomb. While technically not a deathtrap (the bomb, if not escaped on time, does not do lethal damage) this introduces the trap-escape/problem-solving element early on.
Reception
The game was received poorly for its complicated, yet not adjustable controls.