The translation from the original series was not a smooth one. Limits on storage space, memory, graphic capabilities and even the lack of mouse support would almost make the port seem an unreasonable attempt and as a result few elements were removed. No longer would the player be allowed to have a visual representation of their inventory, users now received a system of what look like sheets of paper with a simple list. Players would no longer be allowed to “operate” or “consume”, rather now they were required to simply “use” items. In game descriptions were shorted and words were simplified to optimize for the now much limited storage space. The only real saving grace was the controls were retooled to allow for faster game pad control and the addition of a musical score. Having spent hours in Shadowgate, I can’t imagine playing it without the haunting soundtrack. To this day the song that plays when your torch is about to go out sends shivers up my spine.

Starting from the beginning of the Kemco timeline is Shadowgate. Following our hero is petitioned to stop an evil Warlock from summoning a big nasty demon from hell. The game does not really get much more descriptive than this as far as the story goes, it is much more about the journey and puzzle solving than actual plot. After a short introduction and a welcome from the warlock lord of the castle players are given almost free reign of the castle. Ironically the warlock himself does very little to prevent you from stopping him. This is not to say your journey is to be easy, his castle is more deadly than a toy manufactured in China. It is extremely easy to die. In less than three rooms in nearly everyone tries to grab that book off the alter and plummets to their doom, only to later fall for the same trick while attempting to grab one of the candles. The game suffers from a high level of frustrated trial and error. The aggravation is only sedated by a convenient “save and continue” function. Shadowgate has even received several upgrades over the years, including remakes for Windows and Palm OS. It also received a few ill-conceived sequels, including a point and click adventure for the TurboGraphix-16 as a CD-ROM title, and a very lack luster Nintendo 64 title. None never quite met the success of the original.

Kemco had struck pay dirt. Shadowgate was successful and even with all the limitations and cut backs required to get the game functional. Working with a similar game engine Kemco continued on to translate one of my favorite detective mysteries of all time Deja Vu. Nothing about the engine had changed from it's predecessor. The interface was retooled to fit the new film noir theme but ultimately the mechanics have remained intact. Players begin in a rather uncommon setting for videogames, the toilets. Nothing good as ever came from waking up in the crapper. It is in this bleak environment that we find that the Ace (our hero) is has an acute case of amnesia, there is a dead man in his office and he is the prime suspect. Compared to Shadowgate the story is significantly longer and more involved. The number of areas to explore simply feels larger with the ability to take a taxi around the city. Players can play slots in a secret underground casino, shoot hookers and even go splashing away in the sewers with the alligators. Interestingly enough this was also the first MacVision title to be created, predating the original Shadowgate by almost two years. Tragically Kemco did not create a port of the sequel until the updated Game Boy Color edition.

The last installment for the NES was the recreation of Uninvited. Unfortunately this was my least favorite of the series but also the creepiest. Graphically speaking it was a huge step back. I personally found it even less visually appealing than Shadowgate. The plot involves a man who crashes his car into a tree while traveling with his sister. Upon regaining consciousness after the collision, he awakes to find his sister missing and the smell of gas filling the car. After a convenient explosion and a short walk to a mansion you decide to explore in search of your missing sibling. The game has a few scares that actually gave me nightmares when I was younger, as well a few bits of humor. This was the only of the NES Kemco titles to not receive a later translation to the Game Boy Color.

The text driven genre has sadly faded over the years. Verbal narrative and high-resolution graphics have taken the place of these titles, which I shall sorely miss. All of these titles are great to sit down and at least play through once. I would willingly devote a day to a play through of any of these titles today, even Uninvited.