Shadow of the Beast – Mashou No Okite is one of those Sega Genesis games that looks incredible but will absolutely wreck you if you're not careful. Right from the start, you're thrown into this eerie, almost painterly world full of weird creatures and jagged landscapes—it's got that classic '80s dark fantasy vibe, like someone mixed Conan the Barbarian with a prog rock album cover.

The controls take some getting used to—your guy moves stiffly at first, and the enemies hit hard. But once you figure out the timing for attacks and dodges, it clicks. The music? Haunting. That synth soundtrack sticks with you, especially when you're creeping through some cursed temple or fighting a giant, screen-filling monster.

It's not an easy game, and some sections feel downright unfair (you'll die a lot), but there's something weirdly satisfying about finally beating a boss after like 20 tries. If you're into old-school, punishing action games with a dark fantasy twist, this one's worth a look—just don't expect a walk in the park.