Aarbron was kidnapped and enslaved as a child, forced to become the Beast Messenger for Maletoth, The Beast Lord. He carried out his duties until memories of his past resurfaced when he saw his father about to be sacrificed in a ritual. Recognizing his father's face, Aarbron's feelings of hate towards his captors grew stronger, and he vowed to seek revenge and redemption.
Shadow of the Beast is a side-scrolling platformer with side-shooter elements. The player must navigate through areas filled with enemies and traps, collecting keys and activating triggers to progress. Aarbron has limited moves: duck, jump, and two attacks – punch and flying kick. Timing each attack accurately is crucial, as most enemies die with one hit. Traps also require precise movement, such as jumping, ducking, or moving according to a sequence.