Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara

Imagine a beat 'em up with the soul of an adventurous RPG campaign. Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara from 1996 is exactly what Capcom used to prove that the street-brawler genre can have unexpected depth. The game follows the previous title Tower of Doom and pushes its concept of a fantasy brawler with role-playing elements to its peak.

Instead of a single hero template, the player chooses from six classes, from a fighter through a cleric and a mage to an elf, a dwarf and a thief. Each character has its own abilities, combat style and role in the party. Added to this are spells, an inventory with items, scrolls and potions, and the ability to collect and use various weapons. The game moreover offers branching paths, so you can head in different directions through the adventure, which markedly increases replayability.

Mechanically it is still a brisk action brawler for up to four players, in which you fight, cast spells and combine equipment on the move. It is precisely the fusion of addictive arcade action with elements of tabletop Dungeons & Dragons that gives the game its unique character. Fights against varied fantasy creatures, from goblins to dragons, feel epic and co-op in a full foursome is breathtaking fun.

Visually the game shines with the typical Capcom quality of the mid-1990s. Detailed sprites, fluid animation and colorful fantasy environments evoke the atmosphere of a classic adventure. The enemy and boss design draws on the rich world of Dungeons & Dragons and every location has its own flavor.

Because of the Dungeons & Dragons license, the game was long hard to obtain outside arcades, which made it a sought-after title. Today you can find it in an official collection for modern platforms, so everyone can finally enjoy this unusually deep brawler.

Why play: For players who want a beat 'em up with the soul of an RPG, where the choice of class, spells and branching paths make every playthrough a different adventure.