Shadow Warrior (2013)
This is a game I'd been meaning to get my hands on for a long, long time now, and the wait has definitely paid off. Shadow Warrior is a game that was revamped from its original 1997 counterpart (which you may download for free on Steam) featuring the main protagonist, Lo Wang, and was originally produced to test improvements on the same game engine used to create Duke Nukem; this game shares the same studio that created Duke Nukem. This game takes a slightly different turn of events from the original, in which Wang takes on demons that are pouring in through portals while trying to retrieve the Nobitsura Kage: an ancient katana of immense power that can be used to strike down Gods. Lo Wang is aided by a masked demon named Hoji, who also requires this ancient katana.
There are several points of interest in this game:
The Upgrade Systems - There are several things in which you can upgrade, and several subcatagories within each. The upgrade system is pretty immerse, as you have several versions of currency to go into each; for instance, Money is used to upgrade your Weapons, while Karma Points are used to Upgrade your Skills. Within this upgrade system-which, unlike most games, doesn't make you feel under-powered if you 'specked yourself wrong'-allows the player to create the way they want to play. This menu can be accessed any time, so feel free to pour all your points into a needed skill during a boss battle!
Swordplay - At first, you gain the basic abilities of quick slices (LMB) a charged heavy strike (hold RMB.) However, as you purchase upgrades through the menu, you gain more combinations and bonuses. Most of the combos you learn involve double-tapping a direction key and holding LMB (for instance, a jabbing strike that is later used to break specific statues is mapped as W,W+LMB) on the keyboard, but I have not yet tried it for controller. Also, you can throw shurikens (which are unlimited in amount) while wielding the katana so that the enemy can feel the pain before arriving to your blade.
Gunplay - Since Wang moves really quick-as do the enemies in this game-the gunplay is very reminiscent of a classic shooter, which involves a lot of strafing. However, you may hold as many weapons as you want. and each one has such an interesting and unique playstyle that I will guarantee you Will revisit weapons you thought were outdated due to a new pickup. Plus, you receive weapons as somewhat of a store theme; for instance, you pick up a submach that was just sitting in a police car.
Humor - Think Duke Nukem in this one, except without Jon St. John's voice-acting and an Asian themed character that blatantly points out his name is Wang. Though childish at times, the humor in this game is...well....funny.
Story - I really do not want to post up too many spoilers on this one, but the story in Shadow Warrior is actually pretty good, which decent backing to the original.
Graphics & Gore - Though my computer can only do so much due to its 'graphical hindrances,' I was not able to fully appreciate the full potential of this title when it comes to the looks while trying to play it smoothly; that is not to say that I didn't crank up the graphics for a brief time to enjoy the beautiful rendering of this hardcore world. Everything in the world (though it launches you in a single direction at times) looks great, from the trees, to the bamboo, to the creature designs. Also, this game is clearly not for kids due to the amount of gore, and is believed by some to be the bloodiest game of all time due to this. However, if you press 'R' while wielding your Katana you can wipe the blood off, so there's a bright side to these grim features.
TL:DR -There are so many other things I'd like to recommend about Shadow Warrior, but you should honestly just play it for yourself. I bought it with a bundle from another site for $10 and regret nothing. Shadow Warrior is a great game, with some of the most interesting mechanics you will ever find in a title. Do not think about Duke Nukem Forever if considering the purchase of this title, because this reboot does right by nearly everything. Thanks for reading.
Do you feel this review helped in any way? Feel free to visit my Curator Page at Spearpoint Reviews.
Originally posted April 12, 2015. Last edited May 1, 2018.
There are several points of interest in this game:
The Upgrade Systems - There are several things in which you can upgrade, and several subcatagories within each. The upgrade system is pretty immerse, as you have several versions of currency to go into each; for instance, Money is used to upgrade your Weapons, while Karma Points are used to Upgrade your Skills. Within this upgrade system-which, unlike most games, doesn't make you feel under-powered if you 'specked yourself wrong'-allows the player to create the way they want to play. This menu can be accessed any time, so feel free to pour all your points into a needed skill during a boss battle!
Swordplay - At first, you gain the basic abilities of quick slices (LMB) a charged heavy strike (hold RMB.) However, as you purchase upgrades through the menu, you gain more combinations and bonuses. Most of the combos you learn involve double-tapping a direction key and holding LMB (for instance, a jabbing strike that is later used to break specific statues is mapped as W,W+LMB) on the keyboard, but I have not yet tried it for controller. Also, you can throw shurikens (which are unlimited in amount) while wielding the katana so that the enemy can feel the pain before arriving to your blade.
Gunplay - Since Wang moves really quick-as do the enemies in this game-the gunplay is very reminiscent of a classic shooter, which involves a lot of strafing. However, you may hold as many weapons as you want. and each one has such an interesting and unique playstyle that I will guarantee you Will revisit weapons you thought were outdated due to a new pickup. Plus, you receive weapons as somewhat of a store theme; for instance, you pick up a submach that was just sitting in a police car.
Humor - Think Duke Nukem in this one, except without Jon St. John's voice-acting and an Asian themed character that blatantly points out his name is Wang. Though childish at times, the humor in this game is...well....funny.
Story - I really do not want to post up too many spoilers on this one, but the story in Shadow Warrior is actually pretty good, which decent backing to the original.
Graphics & Gore - Though my computer can only do so much due to its 'graphical hindrances,' I was not able to fully appreciate the full potential of this title when it comes to the looks while trying to play it smoothly; that is not to say that I didn't crank up the graphics for a brief time to enjoy the beautiful rendering of this hardcore world. Everything in the world (though it launches you in a single direction at times) looks great, from the trees, to the bamboo, to the creature designs. Also, this game is clearly not for kids due to the amount of gore, and is believed by some to be the bloodiest game of all time due to this. However, if you press 'R' while wielding your Katana you can wipe the blood off, so there's a bright side to these grim features.
TL:DR -There are so many other things I'd like to recommend about Shadow Warrior, but you should honestly just play it for yourself. I bought it with a bundle from another site for $10 and regret nothing. Shadow Warrior is a great game, with some of the most interesting mechanics you will ever find in a title. Do not think about Duke Nukem Forever if considering the purchase of this title, because this reboot does right by nearly everything. Thanks for reading.
Do you feel this review helped in any way? Feel free to visit my Curator Page at Spearpoint Reviews.
Originally posted April 12, 2015. Last edited May 1, 2018.
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