Shields break when they are hit (when you block), and they also break apart nicely.
Although the game is old and the graphics aren't great, it's still fun to play. I played it a long time ago... there are 4 heroes: a knight, a dwarf, a barbarian, and an Amazon (or something like that). Each specializes in their own weapon, there are super attacks, etc... In principle, it's similar to console-style games, like Devil May Cry, but there's less grinding, and the game itself is more interesting, plus there's the search for hidden areas, which can also be very interesting.
P.S. Nazg, Rune seems to be newer... I haven't played it.