Shadow of Memories
| Shadow of Memories | |
 | |
| Developer: | Konami |
| Publisher: | Konami |
| Release dates: | March 5, 2001 February 2, 2001 Japan |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Game modes: | Single player |
| ESRB rating: | Teen (T) |
| Platform: | PlayStation 2, PC |
| Media: | DVD, CD |
A video game released by Konami in 2001. It is also known as Shadow of Destiny which is the US-American release title of the game. Shadow of Memories is the release title for the European market.
The main story revolves around a man named Eike Kusch who dies in the beginning of the game, from a stab to the back. However, he wakes up in a dark, strange place, where he's offered to go back in time to remove the underlying cause of his death. In this game, death is only the beginning.
Given the magical ability to travel through time, Eike has to visit four realities - the present day, 1980, 1902 and 1580 - in which he will meet people that are all somehow connected to Eike's life and destiny.
Basically, the game takes place in only one day and is real-time based. It has six VERY different endings, depending on the actions the player has taken throughout the course of his actions. Each one is a separate ending, and yet, only if you have seen them all you may be able to figure out the whole truth.
The game explores the deep question of who we really are and asks many philosophic questions. Some of the questions in the game stay unanswered - much like real life.
Characters
Eike Kusch
The leading character Eike repeatedly visits the town in which the game is set, a town he is very fond of. Standing 5'11" tall, Eike is a mild-mannered person. He doesn't talk much about himself. But an inexplicable shadow shrouds him. He dies at the beginning of this game, but his death also gives him the ability to travel back to related past times. Taking advantage of this magical ability, Eike tries to reverse his fate. He handles all developments calmly. There is a reason for his composure.
Homunculus
Homunculus is the name used by a mysterious creature who seeks to help Eike escape his death. He is the one who gives Eike the Digipad with which he may use to travel through time. Does he have a hidden agenda, however for helping Eike like this?
Dana
Dana is a woman who works part-time at the coffee shop where Eike wakes from his death. Having no family, Dana is somewhat timid and shy, but has a quiet strength at her core. She tends to think mainly of herself, often feeling that no one understands her. She suffers from a persistent sense of loneliness.
The Fortune Teller
A dweller of the present day, the mysterious-looking Fortune-teller makes Eike a prophecy concerning his destiny.
Eckart Brum
A broad-minded man and the director of a private art museum, Eckart has known Eike for many years. His museum houses many items associated with the area, including paintings by artists native to the area and old photographs. Eckart appears to be hiding something from Eike.
Miriam Brum
Eckart's wife, who died in an horrific random shooting in 1980.
Dr. Wolfgang Wagner
Doctor Wagner lives in the medieval era, selling medicines and studying alchemy in an underground laboratory. He had earlier sought a cure-all for his ailing wife, a quest that ended in failure with her death. The death of his wife has deprived him of all hope and led him to pursue a different course of research.
Margarete Wagner
The daughter of a medieval alchemist, Margarete is a cheerful, active girl, quick to spontaneous action, even if perpetually burdened with various chores. She desperately wants a chance to escape her present life. After meeting Eike, Margarete develops a longing to visit modern times.
Hugo Wagner
Doctor Wagner's son and Margarete's little brother, Hugo worries constantly about his ailing mother. His feelings toward his father are complex, including a streak that borders on hatred resulting from his father's apparent obsession with his research in spite of the condition of Hugo's mother. Hugo is an extremely quick thinker at an awkward age.
Helena Wagner
Doctor Wagner's wife, Helena is also the mother of Margarete and Hugo. Already blind when Eike visits her, Helena is a bedridden invalid.
Alfred Brum
Alfred is a great-grandfather of Eckart. He is also Sibylla's father. He is the man who decides to convert the old family home into a museum.
Sibylla Brum
Alfred's daughter, Sibylla is a strong-minded, precocious girl. Sibylla looks after her kid brother every day.
Oleg Franssen
Oleg is a film producer. He appears to find his conversations with Eike in 1980 particularly inspiring.
Ratings
Computer And Video Games, CVG: 5/5 - "A thinking man's masterpiece"