Shadow Fate
- April 5, 2022
- HuntingSwan
- 30h median play time
Get on SteamIn the city of Atro, play as a powerful shadow spawn in the service of a secretive revenge-seeking organization in this 40-hour JRPG. With turn-based battles, seven playable characters, and a unique "EX" feature, Shadow Fate offers a fresh take on traditional RPG elements. Enjoy the carefully crafted soundtrack and fully animated battle sprites as you progress through the immersive story.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Shadow Fate features a deep and sophisticated combat system with a wide variety of skills, making battles engaging and dynamic.
- The game has a well-crafted story and memorable characters, with emotional depth and humor that resonate with players.
- The attention to detail in the game's design, from visuals to mechanics, showcases the creator's passion and results in a polished experience.
- Some players find the difficulty level to be over-tuned, leading to frustrating encounters and resource management issues during battles.
- The EX system and SP mechanics may feel underwhelming or cumbersome to some, detracting from the overall combat experience.
- A few aspects of world-building and pacing could be improved, as certain plot elements may feel rushed or rely on flashbacks.
- story20 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The story is generally praised for its engaging and fast-paced narrative, featuring well-developed characters and a mix of humor and serious themes that keep players invested. While some minor issues with world-building and pacing are noted, the overall experience is described as emotionally resonant and entertaining, with a compelling save-the-world plot and numerous side quests that enhance exploration. Players appreciate the balance of character development and plot progression, making it a standout aspect of the game.
“A well-crafted game that has a few weak spots in the world-building, but ultimately the characters, story, and combat carry it through to be an amazing experience that will make you cry, and will make you laugh and will make you hopeful even in the darkest of fates.”
“It's a well-executed save-the-world story with a few twists and many shades of gray.”
“The story is very well presented with good pacing that slowly unravels more of the plot and world as you progress in a way that is keeping me very interested.”
“Had these mechanics been attached to a project that didn't quite hit the nail on the head in terms of story or pacing, said project would likely still be worth tolerating in order to enjoy some solid battling.”
“Story: spawn, an embodiment of human sin, is summoned by the vengeance guild that ostensibly fights crime in the city of atro.”
“Only small demerits can be noted: a few macguffin hunts in the game's later half slightly impact the story flow, and the party only learns about Ysella's and Ioro's past through 'flashbacks'.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highlighted by its engaging turn-based combat system, featuring unique character abilities and a customizable party setup that encourages diverse playstyles. Players appreciate the attention to detail in combat animations and mechanics, as well as the distinctiveness of each character's skills, making battles both strategic and visually appealing. Overall, the game offers a solid and enjoyable experience, even when considered independently of its narrative elements.
“Even when considered independently of its standout combat mechanics, this really is a quality indie release, deserving of high marks across the board.”
“On top of having visually and mechanically distinct finishing maneuvers, your allies all come fully loaded with bespoke skillsets that set every character apart from one another.”
“With loads of party combinations and a multitude of learnable skills, you can customize your main party to fit any playstyle you desire—and in order to win against the complex boss mechanics, you’ll need to!”
“Gameplay: the usual here: you explore dungeons and fight (mob/boss) monsters in turn-based (side-view) battles.”
“One important mechanic at play is the 'ex meter' that fills by using certain skills or performing certain actions during battle.”
“Had these mechanics been attached to a project that didn't quite hit the nail on the head in terms of story or pacing, said project would likely still be worth tolerating in order to enjoy some solid battlin'.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a deeply emotional narrative, highlighted by a satisfying ending and well-developed party members whose secrets enhance the story. The antagonists, Ysella and Ioro, add depth with their poignant backstory, contributing to the overall emotional impact of the gameplay.
“To top it all off, the ending is emotional and immensely satisfying, and the many unexpected and competently foreshadowed secrets of the party members spice up things along the way.”
“The antagonists Ysella and Ioro are great, too, since they share a heartbreaking past.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their beauty and the extensive resources dedicated to creating stunning maps, with exceptional animations that enhance the overall experience. The unique battle mechanics further contribute to the visual appeal, making it a highly enjoyable aspect of the game.
“The graphics are beautiful; a lot of resources are used to create stunning maps.”
“All the graphics and animations are exceptionally well done, along with a very unique and highly enjoyable battle mechanic.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the uniquely animated combat sequences of various monster types, which are described as both inventive and hilarious, adding a lighthearted touch to the gameplay experience.
“So many of the monster types have uniquely animated combat sequences, and they're often a combination of inventive and hilarious.”
“The dialogue is filled with witty one-liners that had me laughing out loud.”
“The absurd situations you find yourself in are both clever and comical, making every encounter a joy.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that character development is a standout feature of the game, emphasizing that it requires player engagement and effort to succeed in battles, enhancing the overall experience.
“My favorite thing (other than the amazing mapping and character development) is that you actually have to put some effort into winning battles if you don't want to get pummeled.”
