Shadow Man Remastered

First of all, this is probably Nightdive's greatest remaster yet. Since only the source code for the stripped-down Playstation version has been preserved, Nightdive had to reverse-engineer the original PC version, and they've done so with great success. The remaster runs very smoothly, all textures are of much higher resolution, yet in line with the style of the rest of the game, and even modern effects such as dynamic shadows and depth of field fit in seamlessly. Coupled with the fact that the remaster also restores unused audio lines, weapons, and even whole levels, Shadow Man Remastered is without a doubt the definitive version of this game. Whereas the quality of the remaster is beyond dispute, Shadow Man itself is distinctly a matter of taste. Based on the graphic novel series of the same name, Shadow Man is a dark and brooding game, whose voodoo and horror themes are handled expertly, but the thick atmosphere created by the exquisite soundtrack and ambient sounds certainly isn't for everyone. In terms of gameplay, you play as the titular Shadow Man, who traverses Deadside to prevent the apocalype. To do so, one has to collect 120 souls, which are hidden across a vast and semi-open world. In good Metroidvania fashion, certain parts only become accessible after collecting specific abilities, so re-visiting locations is a frequent necessity. While the remaster gives some hints on what to do and where, keeping track of this huge world with its branching paths everywhere can feel overwhelming at first, which is why I'd actually recommended consulting a walkthrough to get a general idea of how to approach the game. The lack of a map of sorts is the only flaw the remaster arguably has, together with the fact that some of the later levels aren't as captivating as the earlier ones. Still, if you enjoy a dark, well-written and acted tale consisting of shooting, platforming, and exploring in the most literal sense, the world of Shadow Man is well worth visiting.

The non-linearity of the game was something not so popular for an action adventure game in the late 90's and it was done quite well. Of course, this is a reamaster (a pretty good one at that) and it has a lot of enhancements and added content, but still I appreciate the way this game was made. The dark atmosphere action-oriented gameplay are also pretty good. My rating is 4, due to the fact that it felt a bit too long and the pacing gets a bit boring at a certain point, you lose the story aspect of the game in a very short time and you only get to remember what the hell you are supposed to be doing after several hours of running around the Darkside. Nevertheless, a great game

Yeah that's about it.

This game is really long. If you're a bit older and used to repetitive play then up the score to 4/5. I don't see myself playing it more than once (I didn't play it when it originally released, but I remember reading about it in the gaming magazines), but for what the game is, it is a very worthwhile playthrough. The remaster itself is really well done, no complains there. The atmosphere is characterfull, the pacing is well done. If you pay attention you won't have any problem navigating. I'm 13 hours through and only once did I consult a guide because I forgot where was the next gate I was supposed to open. So If you're an older gamer, the game has the potential to really get a hold on you (I see why it is a cult classic), otherwise be careful with this one - aside from the graphics , the gameplay may seem really repetitive and boring to you. In the latter case I'd maybe drop a star.

The Count and I are currently playing this. Great game! Had zero expectations other than guy holding a skull. It's a blast (from the past). Use the gun, jump through shadow gates, be the shadow man, cross the shadow land! This thing will make you feel alive and dead at the same time. Just like Shadow Man! Thanks <3