Shadowbane

64%
Game Brain Score Based on 290 reviews
  • graphics
  • monetization
  • grinding
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Shadowbane is a free, historical, open-world MMORPG set in the dark fantasy world of Aerynth. The game offers extensive character creation, various character classes, and a grind-heavy experience system. It supports both co-op and PvP gameplay for up to two players, though it was originally designed for a larger multiplayer experience. The game officially closed in 2009, but it may still be accessible through private servers and communities.

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Reviews

64%
Audience ScoreBased on 290 reviews
graphics5 positive mentions
monetization13 negative mentions
  • Shadowbane offers a unique and nostalgic MMORPG experience with extensive character customization and open-world PvP.
  • The game has a rich history and a dedicated player base, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate classic MMOs.
  • Despite its age, the game still provides thrilling PvP battles and a sense of community among players.
  • The game suffers from severe server instability, frequent crashes, and long maintenance periods, making it difficult to play consistently.
  • The introduction of a cash shop with overpriced items and pay-to-win mechanics has frustrated many players, detracting from the original experience.
  • There are significant issues with the game's chat filter and communication, leading to a toxic environment and difficulty in player interaction.
  • graphics19 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated and rough, reflecting its origins from 2003. While many players acknowledge the clunky visuals, they emphasize that the engaging gameplay and exceptional PvP mechanics more than compensate for the lack of modern graphical fidelity. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may not impress, the game's enduring appeal lies in its fun and immersive gameplay.

    • “The graphics may be dated, but the gameplay and mechanics are what makes this a true gem.”
    • “Every bit as fun as it was the first time around... even with the older graphics.”
    • “Game is not a pretty graphic play yet it's still here after 18 years because of the play.”
    • “You will not find a better PvP MMO; sure, the graphics are rough for 2022.”
    • “It was rolled out in 2003, and the graphics, gameplay, and interface are very clunky.”
    • “It's rough around the edges and the graphics aren't great, but it's the most fun I've ever had in any MMO.”
  • monetization16 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with players expressing frustration over the introduction of microtransactions, ad placements, and manipulative drop rates. Many feel that the game exploits nostalgia for profit, with some suggesting alternatives that offer better value without aggressive monetization tactics. Overall, the approach has left a negative impression, overshadowing the game's potential.

    • “There is no monthly subscription fee associated with the game, and there are no ads in the game.”
    • “There could have been in-game purchase options for things such as weapons, armor, instant level 75, resources, gold, and additional character slots.”
    • “They turned it into a shameless cash grab.”
    • “It just feels like a blatant cash grab and they're taking advantage of people's nostalgia to make some quick money.”
    • “Let's not forget that they added microtransactions, including a way to skip the farming stage of server up by paying $90 for guild seeds.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Players express significant frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, citing low drop rates for essential items and the prevalence of bots disrupting farming efforts. The grind is described as tedious and time-consuming, with some players feeling that the introduction of microtransactions undermines the experience by allowing wealthier players to bypass the grind entirely. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a major hurdle that detracts from enjoyment and progression.

    • “The drop rate for runes, resources, and offerings is so low that it makes farming for a city a mind-numbing grind that will have you wanting to pull your hair out.”
    • “For the last week, stat runes have stopped dropping. We can find some 30-40 ones, but the lower-level runes are no longer found anywhere, and by the number of r7's farming on noob island, I think it is safe to say this is a server issue.”
    • “Let's not forget that they added microtransactions, including a way to skip the farming stage of server upgrades by paying $90 for guild seeds.”
  • gameplay13 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity, lacking quests, and is described as clunky due to its age, yet it retains appeal through its RPG mechanics, city building, and character customization. While some players appreciate the depth and mechanics, others note issues like bugs and maintenance interruptions that hinder the experience. Overall, despite its dated graphics, many consider the gameplay to be a standout feature of the game.

    • “The underlying RPG mechanics, city building, unchecked open world PvP, and character building are what draw the players to this game.”
    • “Love the customization and gameplay.”
    • “The graphics may be dated, but the gameplay and mechanics are what make this a true gem.”
    • “There are no quests, so gameplay is simple.”
    • “It was rolled out in 2003 and the graphics, gameplay, and interface are very clunky.”
    • “The maintenance times are sporadic and leave little to no time for actual gameplay.”
  • story7 mentions

    The reviews indicate a significant lack of story content, with players noting the absence of quests and roleplay elements in the game. Despite its potential and originality, the game fails to deliver a compelling narrative experience.

    • “There is not a better story in a game that had so much potential and originality as that of Shadowbane.”
    • “No story, like - almost literally none.”
    • “This rerelease has no roleplay server, so you won't have players running around giving you quests or hiring you for a tracker while they farm.”
    • “There is not a better story of a game that had so much potential and originality as that of Shadowbane.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting significant server lag, downtime, and persistent bugs that detract from the overall experience. Many players express frustration over issues like rubber-banding and glitches, indicating that these problems were prevalent in the original release and remain unresolved in the current version. Overall, the game's stability issues are a major concern for players.

    • “Server lag, server downtime, rubber-banding, and server glitches all existed in the old game, really killing the momentum of the original release.”
    • “In addition, the game is exceptionally buggy.”
    • “As of the writing of this review, a new (third) server is starting tomorrow, and I have absolutely no intention to put myself through another iteration of lag, rubber-banding mass zerg groups, and buggy areas that nobody bothered to test before launching.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users noting that it feels incomplete and rushed due to the developers' time constraints. Performance issues, including frequent server downtime and significant lag, have detracted from the overall experience, leading to frustration among players.

    • “The game feels optimized, but it also seems incomplete and rushed, likely due to the original developers being under a huge time crunch compared to other major MMORPGs at the time.”
    • “Why couldn't they focus on fixing bugs and performance issues?”
    • “Performance has been horrible and the servers are down constantly.”
    • “Server performance is horrendous; one bane lagged the entire server to a crawl.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the reviews highlights the irony of right-wing individuals financially supporting China while simultaneously expressing anti-China sentiments, showcasing a comedic contradiction. Additionally, there is a humorous critique of the game's stability and support compared to fan-made emulators, emphasizing the absurdity of the situation.

    • “It's actually kind of hilarious that right-wingers are literally sending China real f***ing USD so they can fight against 'Chy-nuh' and be bold racists.”
    • “Funny thing is the two emulators which have been put up by game enthusiasts over the years have all been more stable than what this company has managed; the same is true for support and communication, weird.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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