Shamus (video game)
A robotic detective navigates a 128-room electrified maze.
Shamus is a shooter with light action-adventure elements, originally released for the Atari 8-bit computers in 1982. Written by Cathryn Mataga (credited as William Mataga) and published by Synapse Software, the game helped establish the company's reputation for quality. It was later ported to several platforms and received a Game Boy Color remake in 1999.
Quick Facts
- Designer
- Cathryn Mataga
- Publisher
- Synapse Software
- Atarisoft
- Atari Corporation
- Developer
- Synapse Software
- Released
- 1982
- Genre
- Shooter
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- Atari 8-bit
- Apple II
- VIC-20
- Commodore 64
- IBM PC
- TI-99/4A
- TRS-80 Color Computer
- Game Boy Color
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Inspired by the arcade game Berzerk, Shamus tasks the player with guiding the robotic detective through a 128-room maze of electrified walls across four skill levels, ultimately reaching "The Shadow's Lair. Items such as bottles (extra lives), mystery question marks, and keys (which open exits) can be collected. Enemies include spiral drones, robo droids, and snap jumpers. Touching an electrified wall causes instant death. Each level speeds up upon completion, increasing the risk of wall collisions. The player clears rooms of enemies, collects items, and exits; enemies regenerate upon re-entry. Lingering too long in a room summons the Shadow, who hops directly at Shamus unhindered by walls; shooting the Shadow freezes it briefly. Lock-and-key mechanics require completing the four levels in a specific order. Completing the entire game takes several hours, and the lack of a pause function (except on the IBM version), combined with the need to remember room and key locations, makes it extremely difficult. Each maze layout is named after a famous fictional detective or secret agent.
Reception
Shamus sold 60,000 copies. Softline in 1983 called it "the best cross between arcade and adventure games currently on the Atari market" and noted that to know it is to love it. That year, Softline's readers ranked it seventh on the magazine's Top Thirty list of Atari 8-bit programs, and in 1984 they placed it tenth for 1983. Electronic Fun gave the Atari version a 3 out of 5, praising the graphics as "superb" and stating it "doesn't look like it could ever get boring." ROM Magazine rated the Atari version 9.4 out of 10. Creative Computing advised ensuring no pressing appointments before playing, as one would not want to stop. Ahoy! in 1984 described the Commodore 64 version as "thoroughly enjoyable" with action and suspense for both novices and sophisticated gamers. Computer Gaming World in 1982 praised the animation and graphics over Berzerk but noted the inability to pause and a speed control bug, calling Shamus "the most addictive" of four games reviewed. Matthew J. Costello in Space Gamer No. 68 commented that the game is not easy but that Synapse gave Atari owners their money's worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who published Shamus (video game)?
Shamus was published by Synapse Software, Atarisoft and Atari Corporation.
What platforms is Shamus (video game) available on?
Shamus was released for Atari 8-bit, Apple II, VIC-20, Commodore 64, IBM PC, TI-99/4A, TRS-80 Color Computer and Game Boy Color.
Is Shamus (video game) single-player or multiplayer?
Shamus offers single-player play.
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