Shadow Man
- October 17, 2013
- Acclaim Studios Teesside
- 10h median play time
Shadow Man is a single-player Horror Action game with an intriguing story, amazing gameplay, and a marvelous soundtrack. Players stalk criminals in both the real world and the spirit world, using high-caliber guns and voodoo powers to send evil back to darkness. The game features over 40 immersive cut-scenes, hours of in-game speech, and bonus content including a free comic book, soundtracks, map, and strategy guide.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Dreamcast
Nintendo 64
PlayStation
Reviews
- Shadow Man offers a unique and immersive atmosphere, blending horror and adventure elements that captivate players.
- The game features a compelling story with rich lore, including interesting characters and a dark narrative that keeps players engaged.
- The remastered version enhances graphics and sound, making it a nostalgic yet fresh experience for both new and returning players.
- The controls can be clunky and awkward, making platforming and combat frustrating at times.
- The game lacks a map system, which can lead to confusion and excessive backtracking, especially for new players.
- Some players have reported technical issues, such as crashes and problems with fullscreen mode on modern systems.
- story109 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Shadow Man" is a dark and immersive narrative that blends elements of voodoo mythology with themes of horror and redemption, centering on the protagonist, Michael Leroi, as he battles serial killers and an impending apocalypse. While some players find the plot convoluted or lacking in polish, many praise its unique atmosphere, character development, and engaging lore, making it a memorable experience despite its dated graphics and controls. Overall, the storytelling is considered a strong point of the game, complemented by a haunting soundtrack and solid voice acting.
“The writing, story, music, atmosphere, artistic vision, and creation is just incredible.”
“An incredible story, atmosphere of complete presence, horror, fear, tension - wild thriller which makes you think about complex philosophical themes.”
“The story behind Shadow Man is deep & compelling & will engulf you.”
“The story is immediately boring: stop the apocalypse, or start it.”
“The game drops you in without even slightly mentioning the backstory of the protagonist himself, which is one of tragedy and terrible regret for his actions, to the point where it makes him loathe himself.”
“It feels as if we've been blindly dropped into the middle of an ongoing story which results in an awkward start the moment you begin.”
- atmosphere82 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Shadow Man" is widely praised for its dark, eerie, and immersive qualities, often compared to classic horror titles like "Silent Hill." Reviewers highlight the game's haunting soundtrack, detailed level design, and effective sound effects that contribute to a uniquely unsettling experience. Despite some dated graphics and controls, the game's ability to evoke a sense of dread and intrigue makes it a standout in atmospheric gaming.
“Mixing clunky controls and dated graphics with a grim atmosphere and lethal monsters, Shadow Man tells the story of a dark voodoo prophecy unfolding.”
“The atmosphere is rich, and while the finale was disappointing, I can't say I wasn't enthralled by those moments where I felt like I was really moving forward through the game.”
“The dark and twisting world of this game is probably the most psychologically atmospheric I've ever played.”
“Mixing clunky controls and dated graphics, with a grim atmosphere and lethal monsters, Shadow Man tells the story of a dark voodoo prophecy unfolding.”
“The atmosphere of the game is very dark and depressing as well as haunting.”
“It didn't age well but it still gives off a really eerie atmosphere, mostly thanks to the sounds and music.”
- music81 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and haunting qualities, significantly enhancing the overall experience. Tim Haywood's soundtrack is highlighted as a standout feature, with various tracks effectively setting the mood for different environments and encounters, contributing to the game's eerie and immersive atmosphere. Many reviewers note that the sound design, including creepy sound effects and unique boss themes, plays a crucial role in creating a chilling experience that lingers long after playing.
“The writing, story, music, atmosphere, artistic vision, and creation is just incredible.”
“The soundtrack is very impressive and gives the game a realistic feel; even today it gives you goosebumps.”
“The sound design and soundtrack are hauntingly brilliant and at times absolutely terrifying, adding to the horror-soaked atmosphere.”
“The only particular cases are two areas in the asylum where the background screams, laughing/crying, and sounds of torture play so frequently that it becomes obvious the music is looping.”
“The soundtrack is extremely unnerving at times and the combat is fairly solid for the era.”
“Steam purchase comes with both official soundtracks, but many of the in-game songs are missing or cut short.”
- graphics78 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 1999 release, but many players appreciate the unique art style and atmospheric design that contribute to its horror elements. While some criticize the visuals as clunky and poor by modern standards, others find nostalgia in the retro aesthetic and argue that the graphics do not detract from the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the game is seen as having decent graphics for its time, with some players recommending texture packs or mods to enhance the visual experience.
“It has visuals and a sound design that for sure evokes that nightmarish climate.”
“Great atmosphere, and for me also great art direction (even with dated graphics).”
“The horror aspect of the game is on one hand realized with the gruesome graphical effects and monstrous enemy design, from pig men to duppies, on the other hand with the especially good soundtrack.”
“The graphics are obviously poor, but for an old game that is acceptable.”
“The graphics have not aged well but it doesn't affect the gameplay value considering this is from 1999.”
“Many people who haven't played before will struggle with the poor graphics or fiddly control setup even though they were the best available at the time.”
- gameplay60 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a blend of action-adventure and horror, featuring mechanics reminiscent of classic titles like Tomb Raider and Metroidvania, with an emphasis on exploration, puzzle-solving, and backtracking. While the atmosphere and story are praised, many players find the controls awkward and the gameplay can feel sluggish or repetitive due to excessive backtracking. Overall, it offers a chilling experience with engaging content, though some technical issues and dated graphics may detract from the enjoyment.
“Great game if you’re into action adventure horror with a bit of strategy/puzzle solving mechanics.”
“Gamers of all types would love the dark, voodoo atmosphere, the superb story, the exploration, the music, the sounds, and most importantly the gameplay that this game has to offer for just five bucks.”
“What can I say, Shadow Man has it all: immersive story with plenty of depth, solid voice acting, lovable characters, an eerie atmosphere, creepy sound effects, a great soundtrack, and hours upon hours of addictive gameplay.”
“Mouse controls are a joke, not possible to use for proper gameplay.”
“To sum up, this game's simple mechanics make it feel boring after a couple of hours.”
“While I do like the story and gameplay from beginning to end, my only issue was stumbling across some bugs/glitches throughout my gameplay.”
- humor13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a blend of dark humor and comedic relief, primarily through the character Jaunti, whose interactions with the main character provide some levity amidst the grim setting. Players noted the absurdity of certain soundtracks and animations, such as the juxtaposition of cheerful children's laughter with disturbing sound effects, contributing to a unique comedic atmosphere. Additionally, the humor is enhanced by witty dialogue and amusing anecdotes found in the strategy guide, making the overall experience both entertaining and engaging.
“As for the setting, this dark game has some comical relief in the form of Jaunti, a character that provides the few humorous moments of the game and has a very funny relationship with the main character.”
“There's a lot of funny and dark dialogue, and just that alone takes up a good chunk of the game.”
“However, the strategy guide helps a lot with this; I actually found it fun to look through the guide rather than YouTube because these lovely (though late) devs at Aklalim made some seriously hilarious anecdotes and side readings that make it so much more enjoyable to look at the guide than a video.”
- stability11 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 82 % negative mentions
The game's stability has improved since its initial buggy release, with many players reporting smooth performance on various systems, including GNU/Linux and Windows 10. However, some users still experience significant issues, such as freezing and glitches, particularly on the Steam version, which can disrupt gameplay. Overall, while the game is playable and enjoyable for many, potential players should be prepared for occasional stability problems.
“Runs great on GNU/Linux via Steam Play (Proton).”
“The game worked well on my Toshiba Satellite i5 core processor using Windows 10 with no glitches or game crashes.”
“I was really thrilled to find it on Steam - but I'm having the same freeze-up problem as many others (even though it's been supposedly patched for Windows 10, it still freezes about 10 minutes into gameplay; so I try and remember to save every few minutes).”
“Highly recommended, if you're prepared to put up with freezes and restarting your PC - which I am.”
“While I do like the story and gameplay from beginning to end, my only issue, and it was a big impact due to the majority issues of it, I kept stumbling across some bugs/glitches throughout my gameplay from beginning to end as well.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- -14 % neutral mentions
- 71 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often describing it as clunky and dull, particularly during boss fights that feel like prolonged bullet sponge encounters. While some acknowledge that the grind can be manageable at times, it detracts from the overall enjoyment and pacing of the game.
“The game can feel a bit grindy at times, but it adds to the overall experience.”
“While it can be a bit grindy, the rewards make it worthwhile.”
“I found it a bit grindy, but the progression kept me engaged.”
“Only it's very tedious, boring, and frustrating.”
“The combat itself, though, can be slightly tedious, and the bosses are nothing special either, mostly being bullet sponges that you must gradually weaken over time.”
“That said, I have to confess that I did not finish the final boss because it started to feel dull and grindy, very out of step with the rest of the game, so I just let it be.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game has faced issues with optimization for modern systems, but recent updates have improved its performance, allowing it to run smoothly.
“The game runs smoothly now.”
“The optimization updates have significantly improved performance.”
“I've noticed a huge difference in load times after the latest optimization patch.”
“It is not optimized for modern systems and comes with a few problems.”
“The game struggles to run smoothly even on high-end hardware.”
“Performance issues make it frustrating to play, especially during intense moments.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is considered good, contributing positively to the overall experience, even if the story itself isn't particularly outstanding.
“The game is great; while the story may not be award-winning, it excels in its fun factor and atmosphere, and the character development is commendable.”
“The character development is one of the standout features, allowing players to form deep connections with the characters as they evolve throughout the game.”
“I appreciate how the character development is woven into the gameplay, making each character's journey feel personal and impactful.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, effectively addressing serious themes in a morbidly naturalistic manner, despite criticisms regarding its level design.
“Despite the flaws in level design, this game offers a terrific experience, touching on serious subjects in a morbidly naturalistic way.”
“The emotional depth of the story left a lasting impact on me, making me reflect on my own experiences.”
“I was genuinely moved by the characters' journeys; their struggles felt real and relatable.”
