Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers

Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers
Developers: TNS, Infinite Ventures Publisher: Kemco Platform: Nintendo 64 Released in JP: August 13, 1999 Released in US: June 9, 1999 This game has unused areas. This game has unused text. This game has a prerelease article

To do: Cover:   This prototype is documented on Hidden Palace.

Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers is a unique first-person puzzle-adventure game, and sequel to Beyond Shadowgate and the highly-popular original. It was a critical and commercial flop, with reviews of the era criticizing it for feeling dated, but has since gained a cult following.

A sequel titled Shadowgate Rising for the Nintendo 64 was planned but cancelled. A PC port was considered but never materialized.

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Prerelease Info

Unused Areas

There are 128 levels defined (not coincidentally 0x7F, signed byte). 118 were for levels (though seems cut down to 116 and didn't need the last 2), and 10 for cutscenes.

There are 3 levels that are called Incorrect Data, which are a placeholder room between 116 and 118, which are just a basic enclosed room. The last 6 digits (122-127) are copies of the Belzar Dragon Eye cutscene, and were likely placeholders for more cutscenes.

• 

  Incorrect Data 1

• 

  Incorrect Data 2

The game appeared to have unique scripting interactions the first time entering an area. Due to game bugs, these extra interactions do not appear to ever be used.

Unused Collision Data

One level, Trials Tower 4F, seems like it instead ended up reusing Trials Tower 4F #3's geometry/collision, but originally had something different. It's earlier in the list and called Trials Tower, while the rest are Trials Tower 1-4 in a row later.

There is an unused collision file associated, but nothing else, which does not appear to correspond to any known levle.

• 

  Unused Trials Tower 4F Collision Data

Unused Text

Item Placeholders

• ITEM70
• ITEM71
• ITEM72
• ITEM73
• BOOK26
• BOOK27
• BOOK28
• MEMO12
• MEMO13
• MEMO14
• MEMO15

Text Bank Digits

Id	Text	Comment
0037	You slide the bone into the hole in the grate.
0038	Do you want to pry the grate open with the bone?
008F	The title is "The Book of The Orders."[br 2]Will you take the book?	Added "The"
0090	You take the book intrigued by its contents.
00C5	You found "Points to Heed."[br 2]Will you take it?
00C6	You took possession of "Points to Heed."
01A8	Not yet written
01A9	Not yet written
01AA	Not yet written
01EA	This is a heavy crossbow. Its use was always beyond your skill.
024B	Now you are beginning to try my patience![br 2]I would not loan you any money for that!
024C	My young friend, you must stop making sport of me.[br 2]What use have I for an old and dusty tome?
024D	Ah no, my impetuous friend! I would care little for that![br 2]It has the stench of magic about it! And in a place like this, that is very bad.[br 2]There are many dangers in this castle- with magic being the most deadly.
024E	Please, good sir! I wish none of that![br 2]I have heard rumors of magical artifacts which bring death, despair and worse.[br 2]I care not for the ring!
024F	Ah, you are very kind to offer such a... thing.[br 2]But I would not know what todo if such an obvious magical artifact.[br 2]You see, I have had much bad luck with magic in my lifetime!
0250	Ah, I might take that to sell to the sorcerers.[br 2]But alas, they have little money and do not make good customers![br 2]I humbly decline your offer.
0251	Now you wish to give me flowers?[br 2]I am speechless... for me? Or do I misunderstand? You wish to sell these?[br 2]Please, I am not a florist nor a shrubbier. Take it else where.
0252	Ah, now you ask too much! That is clearly something from the thieves.[br 2]I would sooner take a bath in boiling oil than to barter with that item.[br 2]Please take it elsewhere!
0257	Not yet written
0258	Not yet written
025B	You find a worn shovel! Shall you take the shovel?
025C	With visions of buried treasure in your head, you take the shovel!
025D	You found a discarded piece of scrap iron![br 2]Will you take the iron?
025E	The heavy iron adds to your load of items!
0268	A worn and tattered cloak hangs from here! Maybe this was Agaar's.[br 2]Not really my style, you think. Besides it looks too big for you anyway.
02C1	NONE
02C2	NONE
034D	"No, no! Please keep your gifts! You have saved me- have you not?[br 2]It is I, friend Del, that should be giving you something.[br 2]And what I have I give to you- my eternal friendship!"

Obscure Item Uses

Some items that seem unused actually have some small reactions:

• If you talk to the musician with a Quill, he says "Perhaps you want me to sign my name for you?".
• The inn keeper says with a Quill, "Take any room you want. It's my way of apologizing to you".
• The poisonous herb also has a use: A Castle guard will say "If you are so desperate to give this plant to me then you should eat it" (nothing further happens though, you don't eat it or lose).

There are still items that appear to have no use, such as the items bought with the ancient coins.