DESCRIPTION

In Acclaim Studios Teesside's horror game Shadow Man, the player takes on the persona of two distinct characters, connected by the worlds in which they interact. The fact, though, that these two are really the same person is just one of many surprises to be found in the dark worlds based on the comic book of the same name. The adventure unfolds through third-person action and takes place in two vast, separate worlds.

Mike LeRoi, the main character in the game, is "modified" when Mama Nettie, a sorceress steeped in the tradition of voodoo, implants a device in his chest — a black magic device known as the Shadow Mask. With this device comes the ability for Mike to crossover into the dark, dreary and dangerous world of Deadside, a place where horrific beings dwell and evil incarnate resides.

As a voodoo-warrior, LeRoi goes back and forth between Deadside and the land of the living, Liveside, in an attempt to derail the horrific apocalypse threatening all of mankind. As Shadow Man, the alter ego of Mike LeRoi when he goes Deadside, he must explore the dark world and flush out the evil minions that dwell within. By doing so, he hopes to foil the plans of a legion of lunatics hell-bent on creating a gateway that would act as a conduit and unleash these evil beings into Liveside, effectively destroying the world.

The game contains over 20 levels spanning the two worlds and features a varied arsenal of weapons and voodoo-based deterrents with which to fight the lost souls trapped within the purgatory of Deadside. As the quest evolves, players must discern the meaning of and uses for the many items and clues encountered.

Shadow Man uses a 3D Virtually Integrated Scenic TerrAin (~VISTA) engine that eliminates far-horizon blurring or shadowing and lets the character see things clearly as far as his line of sight extends. Additionally, the game uses a "softskin" technology in order to create detailed character movement and action. As a follow-up to the games release as a PC title, Shadow Man will be available for the Sega Dreamcast in the fall of 1999. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide