Shadow Warrior 2

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 16,693 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • humor
Shadow Warrior 2 Game Cover
Passionate Enjoyment, Not Intrinsically Samurai. Just Overt Killing Everywhere, Seriously!
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Shadow Warrior 2 is the stunning evolution of Flying Wild Hog’s offbeat first-person shooter following the further misadventures of former corporate shogun Lo Wang. Now surviving as a reclusive mercenary on the edge of a corrupted world, the formidable warrior must again wield a devastating combination of guns, blades, magic and wit to strike down the demonic legions overwhelming the world. Battle…

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 16,693 reviews
story1,282 positive mentions
grinding475 negative mentions
  • story6,446 mentions

    The story in "Shadow Warrior 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it less engaging than its predecessor. While some appreciate the humor and character interactions, particularly from the protagonist Lo Wang, others criticize the plot for being convoluted, shallow, and often overshadowed by repetitive missions and side quests. Overall, the narrative serves primarily as a backdrop for the action, with many players suggesting that the gameplay is the main draw rather than the story itself.

    • “Shadow Warrior 2 is a competent and extremely fun looter shooter in the vein of Borderlands that has incredible movement, good gunplay, and actually has a story I can follow unlike Borderlands.”
    • “The story is great, and of course the co-op makes it funnier!”
    • “The story is simple and an excuse to make you kill monsters, it comes with cheesy dialogue and forgettable characters.”
    • “The story is awful and the levels are all randomly generated so they aren't interesting.”
    • “The story being the way it was was my biggest disappointment.”
    • “The story is a bit short and the side missions are the same maps as the story mission but the maps are quite big and I haven't memorized them completely after about 50 hours in the game.”
  • gameplay3,212 mentions

    The gameplay of "Shadow Warrior 2" is characterized by its fast-paced, fluid combat that combines first-person shooting with hack-and-slash mechanics, allowing players to seamlessly switch between melee and ranged attacks. While the game introduces RPG elements and procedural generation, which some players appreciate for added variety, others criticize it for leading to repetitive gameplay and bullet sponge enemies. Overall, the combat mechanics are praised for their excitement and dynamism, though the game's reliance on loot and upgrades can detract from the experience for some players.

    • “One of the game’s standout features is its over-the-top combat system, which combines fluid shooting mechanics with melee options.”
    • “The game encourages players to mix and match ranged and melee attacks to keep the gameplay fresh and dynamic.”
    • “The dynamic and fluid combat mechanics, combined with satisfying enemy dismemberment and over-the-top action, make each encounter a thrilling and satisfying experience.”
    • “The gameplay is an unbearable mess.”
    • “The bloated feature set can make the gameplay feel unnecessarily difficult and the enemies feel like bullet sponges as a consequence.”
    • “I played 4 hours and I just can't bring myself to finish the game, because of the awful plot and the tedious repetitive gameplay.”
  • humor2,377 mentions

    The humor in "Shadow Warrior 2" is a defining feature, characterized by irreverent, crude, and often juvenile jokes delivered by the protagonist, Lo Wang. While many players appreciate the over-the-top, absurd humor and find it consistently entertaining, others feel it can become repetitive and tiresome, particularly with the frequent use of similar one-liners. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with fast-paced action, appealing to fans of lighthearted, chaotic gameplay, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its specific comedic style.

    • “Humor remains a defining element of 'Shadow Warrior 2', with Lo Wang’s quips, one-liners, and banter providing a constant source of levity.”
    • “What truly sets this gem apart from the seemingly endless sea of first-person shooters is its dazzling blend of humor and over-the-top action.”
    • “Between the quippy one-liners and absurdly creative enemies, you'll find yourself laughing as much as you’re shooting.”
    • “Shadow Warrior has never exactly been about highbrow comedy, but the jokes in this game are just particularly unfunny and obnoxious.”
    • “Shadow Warrior 2 tries to be a fast-paced dumb fun FPS but it ends up being a painfully unfunny cringe-fest.”
    • “Compared to the first installment, the dialogue is atrocious... not funny even once.”
  • graphics1,912 mentions

    The graphics of Shadow Warrior 2 receive mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals, detailed environments, and impressive lighting effects that enhance the overall aesthetic experience. However, some players note that certain graphical elements can feel dated or overly stylized, and technical issues like frame drops and graphical glitches detract from the experience. Overall, while the game showcases beautiful graphics, it also faces criticism for inconsistencies in character models and performance on lower-end systems.

    • “The visuals are truly stunning, and the overall craftsmanship behind this game is top-notch.”
    • “The graphics are so good, you'll want to take a moment in the middle of the carnage to admire the scenery.”
    • “Shadow warrior 2 presents a visually stunning world that seamlessly blends ancient Japanese aesthetics with modern and futuristic elements.”
    • “The graphics are a complete eyesore, resembling something from a broken toaster rather than a modern game.”
    • “Even play on low graphic...the textures look like shit....everything was fine until I fought corrupted kamiko then my PC shut down again, like what?”
    • “The graphics are dated and the story is nothing compared to the first, but there's a lot of weapons and content to keep you busy for at least 40 hours.”
  • music708 mentions

    The music in "Shadow Warrior 2" has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its dynamic soundtrack that blends traditional Japanese melodies with modern rock and metal elements, enhancing the game's intense combat experience. The main menu theme and the final boss music, particularly a track by Stan Bush, are highlighted as standout pieces that elevate the overall enjoyment of the game. While some reviews note that the soundtrack can be repetitive, the general consensus is that it effectively complements the gameplay and adds to the game's fun and chaotic atmosphere.

    • “The soundtrack is absolutely adrenaline packed when you are in combat.”
    • “The game features a dynamic soundtrack that blends traditional Japanese melodies with modern beats, enhancing the intensity and excitement of each encounter.”
    • “The music is stellar, adding to the already blazing fast pace of the game, and has a Stan Bush track or two for shits and giggles, which is an excellent touch.”
    • “To be honest, I feel that this game is a Doom/Borderlands clone and a cheap one at that, with garbage music trying to clone the brutality of Doom, and a shooter-looter system made cheaply to mimic Borderlands. I didn't like the graphics either; it all feels wrong.”
    • “The music is decent, just need to make it higher than sound effects. Graphics are nice, but besides that, the gameplay is wack, littered with cutscenes, and the progression system is poor.”
    • “The plot is convoluted, the music isn't as good, the game isn't anywhere near as funny, and the graphics are, oddly enough, worse in a way featuring more noticeable pop-in of graphics and textures.”
  • optimization572 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its performance on various hardware setups, often achieving smooth gameplay at high settings. However, some users reported issues such as stuttering, particularly in co-op mode, and inconsistent performance during intense action scenes. Overall, while the game is generally well-optimized, there are notable areas for improvement, especially regarding multiplayer stability and performance under heavy graphical loads.

    • “The optimization far exceeded my expectations.”
    • “This is one of the most smooth, well-optimized, and enjoyable titles I've ever had the pleasure of playing.”
    • “The game is very well optimized and watching enemies and many environmental objects blow up to smithereens is a joy that never gets old.”
    • “The game is also poorly optimized.”
    • “Game is optimized very bad.”
    • “Only one negative which is a pretty big problem otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned it: the game isn't optimized well enough for it to run well regardless of how good the computer specifications are.”
  • grinding499 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players finding it tedious and excessive. Critics highlight the cumbersome upgrade system, repetitive farming for rare currencies, and the overall feeling of monotony in gameplay, particularly when dealing with bullet-sponge enemies and managing a cluttered inventory. While some players appreciate the potential for customization and the fun combat mechanics, the grind often detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to frustration and a sense of burnout.

    • “Game length is perfect, not grindy as good loot is acquired through normal progression and side missions.”
    • “It isn't grindy at all, although it gives you the possibility to do it if you want.”
    • “No tedious crawl into decent abilities, rebalancing makes previously crap abilities worthwhile, and the element system makes everything more fun especially on harder difficulties.”
    • “It feels too tedious to constantly compare weapons and if you try to ignore it, you feel like you're not strong enough.”
    • “This game starts okay and then it turns into a tedious mess.”
    • “The absolute worst craft system I've ever seen, RNG combined with farming a ridiculous amount of rare orbs, which are needed to either infuse weapons or remove negative stats from upgrade loot.”
  • replayability380 mentions

    The replayability of the game is generally regarded as high, bolstered by features such as co-op multiplayer, procedural level generation, and a new game+ mode that allows players to retain upgrades and tackle increased difficulty. However, some players note that repetitive missions and a lack of engaging endgame content can diminish the overall replay value, leading to mixed feelings about its longevity. Overall, while many find it enjoyable to replay, the experience can become stale for some players over time.

    • “Shadow Warrior 2 offers substantial replay value through its expansive and non-linear levels, random enemy encounters, and procedural loot system.”
    • “It also has a huge amount of replay value considering the new game+ element, encouraging you to play the game over again on a harder difficulty while keeping all your weapons and upgrades.”
    • “The game has a lot of replay value; there are secrets everywhere, no three play sessions will ever be the same, there is four-player co-op, your main character is actually funny and interesting, and it is a chaotically fun game that brings a new standard for the loot n’ shoot genre.”
    • “The upgrade system is a bit meh, which takes away from the replayability.”
    • “That said the game severely lacks in replayability, which is the only negative about it.”
    • “The humour is still there, the action and fun weapons, but unless you want to do the same mission over and over to upgrade the weapons it doesn't have much replay value even with new game+.”
  • stability236 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and occasional crashes, particularly in co-op mode. While some users noted that the game runs well on various systems and praised its performance, others experienced significant issues such as freezing during intense moments and graphical glitches. Overall, while the game is enjoyable and fun, its stability is often compromised by these technical problems.

    • “This is a 100% recommend title, and I praise Flying Wild Hog in their efforts to deliver such a stable, bug-free, smooth-running game that shines in all regards!”
    • “I encountered no freezes or crashes whatsoever.”
    • “Really runs great with no noticeable bugs or problems.”
    • “However, the game is buggy and janky and the netcode sucks, so buyer beware.”
    • “The game seems incredibly poorly optimized for PC and is buggy as all heck, but the game is just so much fun that it is hard to ever remain mad at it, no matter how near broken it is at points.”
    • “Crashes and freezes up at every chance.”
  • emotional102 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of deep character development and emotional continuity from the previous installment. While some found moments of humor and action enjoyable, they felt that the emotional weight and impactful storytelling present in the first game were largely absent, leading to a less engaging experience overall. Overall, the game is seen as a downgrade in emotional depth, with many moments feeling forced or overshadowed by juvenile humor.

    • “The first game had a really surprising twist that actually had me a bit emotional, which I didn't see coming at all.”
    • “Hoji's story in the 2013 game was surprisingly poignant, and by the end of a game that was supposed to be about murdering demons, I was actually emotionally invested.”
    • “Amazing story with emotional and heartbreaking plot twists and events.”
    • “My main issues with this game are a boring story (which I have not completed), unsatisfying loot, and repetitive enemies that become bullet sponges.”
    • “Long boring story, (almost) compulsory side missions/quests, spend about 5 hours deleting stuff from grinding too much, too much unorganized things, no cutscenes after killing most bosses (personal preference). If you played the first game, then you will hate this because it has a lot of bad aspects that they did not learn from the last game and changed the whole game to no more linear story.”
    • “Cheesy and boring story.”
  • character development80 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as shallow and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that while the protagonists experience some growth, it is often overshadowed by clichéd storylines and a focus on humor over emotional engagement. Although there are elements of RPG-like character progression and customization, the overall narrative and character arcs fail to resonate, leaving players wanting more substantial development compared to the previous title. Despite these criticisms, some players still find enjoyment in the character designs and the entertaining aspects of the gameplay.

    • “The game is beautiful, and although I've heard and seen fans have plenty of comments about the game, ultimately it's a perfect blend of interesting gameplay, pretty, different and creative maps, good music, and character development.”
    • “Not only because of the action but it has a lot of funny moments that Lo Wang says and a good story and a lot of character development.”
    • “It's a shame because the first Shadow Warrior (remake) was a real hidden gem, with a surprisingly good story and character development, better than most games around at the time, and Hoji made a much better companion, with much funnier banter.”
    • “Don't expect deep emotional experiences or complex characters in this game.”
    • “It is okay for the game to not take itself seriously, but there is no character development whatsoever, and most of the story beats are overplayed clichés that go on for too long, culminating in battles that end way too quickly and easily.”
    • “Sw2's story is minimal at best, with shallow character development and a lack of memorable moments.”
  • atmosphere66 mentions

    The atmosphere in Shadow Warrior 2 is generally praised for its beautiful graphics, vibrant environments, and effective sound design, which enhance immersion and complement the game's action. However, some players feel that it lacks the depth and excitement of its predecessor, with certain areas described as bland compared to the more atmospheric settings of the first game. Overall, while the game offers a thrilling and visually appealing experience, opinions vary on its atmospheric richness and engagement.

    • “The sound design of Shadow Warrior 2 perfectly complements its high-octane action and atmospheric setting.”
    • “Beautiful Japanese environments and incredible use of color to create a rich atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere and game locations are really beautiful, allowing for stunning screenshots using the photo mode section.”
    • “The characters are more for atmosphere than for any significant narrative depth.”
    • “Tl;dr, bad atmosphere, not nearly as fun as the first game, feels 'cheap'.”
    • “As a result - they have not achieved such versatility as it was in Borderlands, also they lost such messy shooter atmosphere as it was in previous SW games.”
  • monetization42 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing it as a cash grab due to the presence of ads and a lack of meaningful content, while others appreciate the absence of microtransactions, DLC, and season passes. Many users express frustration over the game's reliance on ads and the overall execution of its monetization strategy, but some commend the developers for their dedication and the absence of exploitative practices. Overall, the sentiment reflects a desire for a more thoughtful approach to monetization that enhances rather than detracts from the gaming experience.

    • “No microtransactions....”
    • “It's $30-40 for the full game with no microtransactions, no DLC, and no season pass that lazy developers continue to push out.”
    • “New weapons are obtained by doing side missions, others can be found, and some can be bought in the shop with in-game cash (there are no microtransactions, so let that be noted).”
    • “It’s as if no thought or care was put into its development; it’s a cash grab that fails spectacularly on every level.”
    • “Sw has become a cash grab failing where Doom has succeeded.”
    • “It's $30-40 for the full game with no BS microtransactions, no BS DLC, no BS 'season pass' that lazy trash developers owned by their publishers/investors continue to spew out that nobody wants.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

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Play time

16hMedian play time
21hAverage play time
6-28hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 122 analyzed playthroughs

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