Shadow Warrior - izigame

Game Info

Shadow Warrior is a first-person shooter video game developed by 3D Realms and released on May 13, 1997 by GT Interactive. Shadow Warrior was developed using Ken Silverman's Build engine and improved on 3D Realms' previous Build engine game, Duke Nukem 3D. Mark Adams ported Shadow Warrior to Mac OS in August 1997. The game's improvements included introduction of true room-over-room situations, the use of 3D voxels instead of 2D sprites for weapons and usable inventory items, transparent water, climbable ladders, and assorted vehicles to drive (some armed with weapons). Although ultra-violent, the game emphasized tongue-in-cheek humor and contained some sexual themes (although less blatantly than in Duke Nukem 3D). A combination of Duke Nukem 3D and Shadow Warrior was published by GT Interactive in March 1998, titled East Meets West.

Name

Shadow Warrior

Companies

3D Realms

Released

5/13/1997

Platforms

DOS, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS

Engines

Build

Type

Fighting, Shooter

0

izigame

members favorited

Reviews

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 7:24:40 AM

7 Steam users votes up

Howlux

Steam user

Pros:

+ Fast-Paced Combat: The game delivers on the frenetic, high-energy combat that fans of the genre appreciate. It combines gunplay with melee combat, allowing for a dynamic and engaging experience
+ Character: Lo Wang, the protagonist, brings a quirky, irreverent sense of humor that some players find entertaining. His one-liners and the overall tone can be amusing if you’re into that sort of humor
+ Weapon Variety: The arsenal in Shadow Warrior is diverse, including both traditional firearms and unique weapons like the katana. This variety keeps combat fresh and exciting.

Cons:

- Repetitive Gameplay: One of the game’s major drawbacks is its repetitive nature. The combat, while initially engaging, tends to become monotonous over time. The lack of variety in enemy types and level design contributes to this issue
- Lackluster Story: The story feels thin and doesn’t provide much depth or engagement. The narrative is often overshadowed by the game’s focus on action and humor, which can leave players feeling disconnected from the plot
- Outdated Humor: The humor, while attempting to be edgy and entertaining, often falls flat. It can come across as juvenile or cringeworthy, which may not appeal to all players
- Generic Level Design: The levels are often criticized for being generic and uninspired. They lack the creativity and intricacy that could make exploration more engaging
- Unbalanced Difficulty: The difficulty can be inconsistent, with certain sections feeling either too easy or frustratingly difficult, leading to a less satisfying experience.
- Outdated Mechanics: For a game released in 2013, Shadow Warrior relies heavily on old-school mechanics that feel dated. The gameplay loop, level design, and enemy AI often feel like they belong to an earlier generation of games
- Visuals and Design: When compared to BioShock, a game that came out in 2007, Shadow Warrior looks particularly lackluster. BioShock introduced innovative gameplay mechanics, a deep and engaging story, and atmospheric level design that still holds up today. Shadow Warrior fails to reach the same level of sophistication and polish, feeling more like a relic than a modern reinterpretation
Shadow Warrior struggles with outdated mechanics that make it feel more like a product of the past rather than a modern reboot. Despite its moments of fun combat and visual appeal, the repetitive gameplay, lackluster story, and old-school design leave much to be desired. If you’re looking for a truly modern gaming experience, Shadow Warrior might not meet your expectations.
4/10