Shadow Gangs

About

Shadow Gangs is a single player arcade platformer game. It was developed by JKM corp and was released on April 10, 2020. It received positive reviews from players.

"Shadow Gangs" is an arcade-style ninja action game with HD hand-drawn graphics and traditional animation. As Dan, the current ninja order master, you must rescue your family from the Shadow Force crime organization and defeat the Shadow Gangs. Your mission will take you through 10 levels, including battles against 6 bosses. Use your ninja transformation ability and special powers to defeat the enemy and save your family. Live the legend of Dan the Crimson Ninja!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 26 reviews

music8 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Shadow Gangs successfully captures the nostalgic feel of classic arcade games like Shinobi, with sharp graphics and a satisfying combat system.
The game offers a variety of levels and enemy types, providing unique challenges that keep gameplay engaging and rewarding.
Players appreciate the retro aesthetic and soundtrack, which evoke fond memories of 80s and 90s arcade gaming.

The game suffers from clunky controls and frustrating mechanics, making it difficult for players to enjoy the experience fully.
Technical issues such as screen tearing and poor port quality on certain platforms detract from the overall gameplay experience.
Some levels are criticized for poor design and visual boredom, which can lead to a lack of engagement in certain parts of the game.

music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
15%
23%
The music in the game is generally well-received, featuring a mix of electric guitar-focused pop rock and nostalgic 1980s arcade sounds that enhance the gameplay experience. While some players appreciate the old-school style and catchy soundtracks, others feel that the music stands out positively amidst criticisms of clunky gameplay and graphics. Overall, the soundtrack is described as engaging and enjoyable, contributing to the game's charm.
- “Music is fine, kind of electric guitar focused pop rock.”
- “Game offers 10 levels with 6 very challenging bosses & also a fantastic matching soundtrack.”
- “The music is amazing and never gets boring.”
- “The music is old school, featuring wavetable MIDI synthesis.”
- “The game features typical arcade music that accompanies the scrolling story text.”
- “While the graphics are wonderful and old school, the music and sound effects leave much to be desired.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
33%
25%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some praising the sharp, hand-drawn visuals that evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic arcade titles, while others criticize the animation quality and clunky presentation. Overall, many players appreciate the modernized look that maintains the charm of old-school graphics, contributing positively to the game's aesthetic experience.
- “Graphics are mindblowing - I have no idea how they managed to make the game look like old games in modern resolutions.”
- “A sidescroller with wonderful old school graphics and of course sounds and music.”
- “Shadow Gangs is a classic arcade fighting game with sharp and updated graphics that are 100x better than Streets of Rage or Double Dragon.”
- “Clunky combat, too difficult, clumsy graphics, but at least the sound and OST are good.”
- “The only thing modern about this is the graphics.”
- “Graphics -”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
30%
20%
Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some players finding it clunky and disconnected from the shinobi theme, while others praise its addictive nature and variety in level design and enemy encounters. The mechanics are described as simple yet effective, providing a unique challenge that tests player skill, reminiscent of classic arcade games. Overall, the gameplay experience can be both frustrating and rewarding, depending on individual perspectives.
- “I mean, I got over 50 hours of gameplay out of it, got myself in the top 10 scorers on the leaderboards and then felt the need to write a detailed 5-page review, which Steam unfortunately won’t let me post because it’s too long.”
- “Timeless masterpieces with amazing gameplay, graphics, and sounds.”
- “In other words: the game puts forth a simple set of mechanics, and through different level and enemy permutations, it tests your skill and understanding of those mechanics - just like a good arcade game should.”
- “The variety in level layouts and enemy attack patterns makes each level and even each enemy encounter a unique challenge, so the game never gets repetitive despite its simple mechanics.”
- “In other words: the game puts forth a simple set of mechanics, and through different level and enemy permutations it tests your skill and understanding of those mechanics - just like a good arcade game should.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The story in "Shadow Gangs" is straightforward and reminiscent of classic arcade games, focusing on a hero's mission to rescue captured ninjas while navigating through levels. While the narrative is simple and somewhat cheesy, it complements the gameplay, which emphasizes fun and accessibility rather than complexity. Players can enjoy a nostalgic experience with familiar elements like boss fights and bonus items, making the journey engaging despite its lack of depth.
- “One big old school picture of our hero, scrolling from down to top while the story text scrolls with the picture, guided by typical arcade music.”
- “Oh, I forgot to mention the story.”
- “A time limit, (hidden) bonus items, a cheesy story, boss fights... Shadow Dancer, Shinobi, Bad Dudes vs. Dragon Ninja... if this rings a bell in your ears, you know what you'll get with Shadow Gangs.”
- “Gaming fun doesn't always need to have a complex story.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its absurd and unexpected weapon choices, such as a character using shurikens while dressed in jeans and another wielding a machine gun as a ninja, creating a playful and comedic contrast.
- “It's hilarious how the jeans guy uses shurikens while the ninja wields a machine gun!”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever jokes and unexpected twists that keep you laughing.”
- “I love the quirky character designs and the witty dialogue that adds a fun layer to the gameplay.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is significantly undermined by stiff animations, clunky controls, and frustrating hit detection that can freeze characters, leading to repeated damage. Additionally, the limited lives and relentless respawning of enemies contribute to a frustrating gameplay experience.
- “Everything else, from the stiff animation and clunky controls to the annoying hit traps that freeze your character with one hit—leading to likely getting hit again—along with the limited lives, deadly pits you have to jump over, and the endless, repetitive cycle of respawning enemies, hurts the game overall.”