About

<h2>Overview</h2><p>The sequel to 1989's <a href="/shadow-of-the-beast/3030-7681/" data-ref-id="3030-7681">Shadow of the Beast</a>, Shadow of the Beast II is a <a href="/side-scrolling/3015-299/" data-ref-id="3015-299">side-scrolling</a> action game developed by <a href="/reflections-interactive-limited/3010-921/" data-ref-id="3010-921">Reflections Interactive </a>and published by <a href="/psygnosis-limited/3010-448/" data-ref-id="3010-448">Psygnosis</a> in 1990. Although side-scrolling platformers were nothing new at this point, the game was considered revolutionary for its high production values, featuring lush graphics consisting of high-quality backdrops and animations never before seen in videogames, and a stunning, atmospheric soundtrack composed by <a href="/david-whittaker/3040-3731/" data-ref-id="3040-3731">David Whittaker</a> and <a href="/tim-wright/3040-18458/" data-ref-id="3040-18458">Tim Wright</a>.</p><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1371/191954-screenbeast2.gif" data-ref-id="1300-191954" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.62654320987654" data-width="324" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 324px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:62.7%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1371/191954-screenbeast2.gif" data-ref-id="1300-191954"><img alt="game over sequence" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/0/1371/191954-screenbeast2.gif" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/1371/191954-screenbeast2.gif 324w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/0/1371/191954-screenbeast2.gif 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a><figcaption>game over sequence</figcaption></figure><p>In particular, the music for SOTB II's game over sequence was of such notable quality that some fans were known to die in-game for the sole purpose of hearing the backing track again. The game, much like its predecessor, is notoriously difficult, and has faced some criticisms of favoring style over substance.</p>