No Way Forward – Shadow of the Beast 2
No list of difficult games is complete without Shadow of the Beast but its sequel went even further. The game allows you to ask questions and this mechanic is explored when you have to hit one of two switches to progress forward. The switches are randomized of course so you need to ask the kind gentlemen who warned you about traps ahead which one would be correct. Of course, then you have to kill a giant monster at the bridge. Except you’re not supposed to. And if you do, your progress is dead. If you don’t kill it, you get transported to an alternate dimension with a snail. Ask the right question – and remember, this game is programmed for thousands of different responses – and you can leave. Except you need to pay coins and you have to gather all 36 coins in the game. We’d continue but it’s obvious at this point that Shadow of the Beast 2 just hates its gamers.
