Shadow Warrior 2

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 8,330 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…

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Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 8,330 reviews
story640 positive mentions
grinding237 negative mentions
  • story3,216 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 between Lo Wang and Kamiko, others criticize the plot for being convoluted, shallow, and lacking coherence. The game features a mission-based structure that often leads to repetitive gameplay, with many side quests feeling like filler rather than meaningful additions to the narrative. Overall, players seem to agree that while the story is not the main draw of the game, it provides a lighthearted backdrop to the action-packed gameplay.

    • “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 has twists, dialogues are generally entertaining and can even be somewhat edgy.”
    • “The story is engaging, and the voice acting is top-notch.”
    • “The story is awful and the levels are all randomly generated, so they aren't interesting.”
    • “The story was a mess.”
    • “The story is completely nonsensical, and the attempts at edgy, irreverent dialogue, while sometimes good for a chuckle, more often fall flat, or worse - cringeworthy for trying too hard.”
  • gameplay1,603 mentions

    "Shadow Warrior 2" offers fast-paced, dynamic gameplay that blends first-person shooting with hack-and-slash mechanics, reminiscent of titles like "Doom" and "Borderlands." Players can enjoy a variety of weapons and upgrades, alongside fluid movement mechanics that enhance combat. However, some players find the loot system and procedural generation can lead to repetitive gameplay, while others appreciate the depth and customization options available. Overall, the gameplay is generally praised for its excitement and engagement, despite some criticisms regarding its structure and balance.

    • “One of the game’s standout features is its over-the-top combat system, which combines fluid shooting mechanics with melee options.”
    • “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 gameplay is repetitive as hell.”
    • “The gameplay got dull instantly, powerful character, Lo Wang was disarmed.”
  • humor1,187 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 comedic elements and find them entertaining, others feel that the humor can become repetitive or forced over time. Overall, the game successfully blends fast-paced action with a lighthearted tone, making it a fun experience for those who enjoy its particular brand of humor.

    • “Humor remains a defining element of 'Shadow Warrior 2', with Lo Wang’s quips, one-liners, and banter providing a constant source of levity.”
    • “Between the quippy one-liners and absurdly creative enemies, you'll find yourself laughing as much as you’re shooting.”
    • “The dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny, with plenty of crude jokes and pop culture references.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics955 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals, detailed environments, and impressive lighting effects. However, some players noted that certain graphical elements feel dated or lack polish, particularly in character models and textures. Technical issues, such as frame drops and glitches, were also mentioned, which can detract from the overall experience despite the game's aesthetic appeal.

    • “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 playing on low graphics... the textures look like crap. 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.”
  • music354 mentions

    The music in "Shadow Warrior 2" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its dynamic blend of traditional Japanese melodies and modern rock and metal influences, which enhances the game's intense combat experience. The soundtrack is often described as adrenaline-pumping and memorable, with standout tracks that elevate key moments, such as boss fights. While some players noted that the music can be repetitive, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment, making it a highlight of the experience.

    • “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.”
    • “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, the progression system is poop.”
    • “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.”
    • “The music has gone from the remarkably emotional and moody atmospheric OST of the 2013 installation to more of a metal cover, which works well, and the graphics provide decent quality while not lagging hardware during the more intensive fights.”
  • optimization286 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, frame drops, and poor optimization in co-op modes, indicating that while the game is generally well-optimized, there are still areas that require improvement. Overall, it appears that the game runs well for most players, particularly on mid to high-end systems, but optimization challenges persist for some configurations and multiplayer experiences.

    • “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 runs smoothly, and looks really good; you don't need a very good PC to handle this game at least.”
    • “The game is also poorly optimized.”
    • “Game is optimized very bad.”
    • “The optimization could also use some work.”
  • grinding249 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive. Critics highlight the overwhelming need to constantly manage and optimize weapon upgrades, often requiring hours of farming for rare currencies and materials, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some players appreciate the depth and customization options available through grinding, others feel it turns the gameplay into a monotonous chore, especially when faced with bullet-sponge enemies and a convoluted loot system.

    • “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 useless 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.”
    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay gets old as fast as the cringe humor does, and the story isn't interesting enough to make it worth grinding to improve your gear at the end.”
  • replayability190 mentions

    The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players highlighting the co-op mode, procedural level generation, and a variety of weapons and upgrades as key factors that enhance replay value. However, some reviews note that repetitive missions and a lack of engaging endgame content can diminish the overall experience. Overall, while the game offers substantial replayability through its mechanics and challenges, opinions vary on how engaging that replay experience remains 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.”
    • “You experience it via a quest system where in my opinion shouldn't exist but it does so because of side missions and bounties, hurting replay value.”
    • “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+.”
  • stability117 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, 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.”
    • “The loading time ranges between 15 to 30 minutes because the screen just freezes on you and you can't do anything (my gaming system is powerful, so it's not my computer).”
  • emotional51 mentions

    Overall, the emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment in 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 depth and poignant storytelling that characterized the first game were largely absent, leading to a less impactful experience. A few players did appreciate scattered touching moments and optional lore, but these were often overshadowed by a perceived decline in narrative quality and emotional engagement.

    • “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.”
    • “It's a boring game with a boring story compared to the first one.”
    • “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, and no cutscenes after killing most bosses. If you played the first game, 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.”
  • character development40 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as shallow and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting a significant decline compared to its predecessor. While some players appreciate the visual design and humor, they express disappointment over the absence of meaningful character arcs and emotional engagement, often describing the protagonists as one-dimensional or regressive. Despite the presence of RPG-like elements and customization options, the overall consensus is that the game fails to deliver a compelling narrative or character growth.

    • “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.”
    • “Top it off with character development for Wang himself after what he experienced in the first game, and you get a gorefest that you don't want to cringe from.”
    • “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.”
    • “Unlike the first game, no one had any character development; Wang himself has seemingly reverted back to how he was before the beginning of the first game, dropping only raunchy jokes and arguing with Kamiko.”
  • atmosphere33 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its beautiful graphics, immersive sound design, and vibrant environments, creating a rich and engaging experience. While many players appreciate the blend of humor and action that enhances the atmosphere, some feel that it lacks the depth and excitement of its predecessor, leading to mixed opinions on its overall impact. Overall, the game successfully delivers a visually stunning and atmospheric setting, though opinions vary on its narrative and environmental richness.

    • “The map design was already really well done last time, but this time they took it to a whole new level.”
    • “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 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'.”
    • “This plays a lot like Doom 2016, but the atmosphere is much less serious.”
  • monetization21 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing it as a cash grab filled with intrusive ads and poor design choices, while others appreciate the absence of microtransactions, DLC, and season passes. Many users express frustration over the implementation of ads and the game's overall monetization strategy, but some commend the developers for their dedication to providing a complete experience without additional costs. Overall, the sentiment reflects a desire for more thoughtful monetization practices in gaming.

    • “Anyway, a good game, fun combat, and no microtransactions or DLC nonsense.”
    • “It's $30-40 for the full game with no microtransactions, no DLC, and no 'season pass' that lazy developers continue to push.”
    • “New weapons are obtained by doing side missions, which are literal fetch quests; 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.”
    • “Its basically a cash grab riding on the glory of the first game!”
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 61 analyzed playthroughs

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