Shadowgrounds
- May 8, 2006
- Frozenbyte
- 9h median play time
Get on Steam"Shadowgrounds" is a Science Fiction Shooter game with both single-player and local multi-player options. The game boasts an interesting plot, splendid mechanics, and stellar music, with an emphasis on an innovative weapon upgrade system. The game's dense atmosphere is enhanced by cutting-edge lighting technology that creates a sense of fear and advantageous strategic opportunities.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Engaging gameplay with a variety of weapons and upgrades that keep the action fun and dynamic.
- Atmospheric lighting and sound design create a tense and immersive experience.
- Offers a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic top-down shooters, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
- Dated graphics and poor voice acting detract from the overall experience.
- The story is clichéd and lacks depth, making it less engaging for players seeking a strong narrative.
- The save system is frustrating, as it only saves progress at the end of levels, which can lead to repetitive gameplay.
- story214 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally considered generic and clichéd, often drawing comparisons to other sci-fi horror narratives, particularly those involving alien infestations. While some players find the plot engaging enough to keep them interested, many criticize it for being predictable and lacking depth, with flat dialogue and poor voice acting. Overall, the story serves its purpose in providing a backdrop for the gameplay, but it does not stand out as a strong element of the experience.
“The story is quite generic (alien infestation of a human space station) but especially during the first half of the game it has a good nuance of realism: the protagonists simply do what ordinary people would do during such an event.”
“The story is not that developed, but ok for this kind of games.”
“The story behind the game is simple, think Doom, but enticing and with a twist at the end.”
“The story is about as basic as it gets.”
“The story is really bad... as a matter of fact, I don't recall the last time I saw a video game that actually had a screen dedicated to 'the end' and I think that directly reflects on the level of story writing in this game.”
“The story is simplistic and bad.”
- gameplay129 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this older top-down shooter is generally described as fun and engaging, with easy controls and a variety of weapons that enhance the experience. However, some players note that it can become repetitive and tedious over time, particularly in the later levels, and the checkpoint system may be frustrating. Overall, while the game has its flaws, many reviewers appreciate its solid mechanics and enjoyable action, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
“Easy controls, fun gameplay, cool ambience.”
“A variety of weapons including an upgrade system and the always threatening atmosphere, including flashlight mechanics for dark corners, let me enjoy this action until the end.”
“The gameplay was fun, and I am kind of intrigued to see where the story goes!”
“You will have tons of enemies that add nothing to gameplay except a slog through lots of locations where you discover that this planet has aliens cryosleeping here that wish to exterminate all life in the world and you have to kill them to save humanity.”
“The voice acting is atrocious and the gameplay is mind-numbingly linear, stupid, and boring.”
“But in the end, the gameplay gets boring due to its repetitiveness, yes, even after a couple of hours.”
- graphics99 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated, with many reviewers noting that they have not aged well and are often described as "ancient" or "prehistoric." However, some players appreciate the retro aesthetic and effective use of lighting, which helps maintain a decent atmosphere. Overall, while the graphics may not impress modern gamers, they are deemed serviceable for the gameplay experience, especially for fans of classic top-down shooters.
“The visuals have aged really well for such an old game and the atmosphere really reminds me of old Halo, Fallout, and even 'The Bureau: XCOM Declassified.'”
“The graphics are still really good and the gameplay and atmosphere still holds up to today's titles.”
“The graphics type for the characters is really low quality compared to the overall graphics of the game.”
“Old school top down shooter with ancient graphics.”
“The graphics are old and not too spectacular, even for the time of release, but are good enough.”
“The graphics are prehistoric, the plot is cheesy and voice acting/model face animations are horrible.”
- music48 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives a mixed reception, with many praising its energetic and atmospheric qualities that enhance gameplay, particularly during action sequences and boss battles. Some players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as exciting and well-suited to the game's themes, while others find it bland or overpowering during critical moments. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's ambiance, though opinions vary on its memorability and execution.
“The highlight of this game is the music.”
“Music: 10/10 (deserves 20/10 here, the soundtracks are awesome)”
“The soundtrack, especially in action sequences, really makes you pump adrenaline with all its awesomeness.”
“I found the music rather bland, and during scripted events, it would often overshadow audio cues important to the gameplay.”
“The boss battle music comes on a lot louder than the rest of it.”
“The music is absolutely awful, the kind of dross that Eastern European rock kids toss out when they first get access to a synthesizer.”
- atmosphere44 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to create tension and suspense, utilizing effective lighting, sound design, and a sense of isolation reminiscent of classic sci-fi horror titles. Players appreciate the blend of creepy music, well-placed hidden enemies, and the overall mystery that keeps them engaged throughout the experience. Despite some criticisms regarding the story and graphics, the atmospheric elements remain a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay and immersing players in a chilling environment.
“The atmosphere is nice too with creepy music and well-placed hidden enemies that creep up on you.”
“The atmosphere is good; it has a real sense of isolation and with well-made sound, it builds tension pretty well.”
“What the game doesn't have in story, it makes up for with outstanding atmosphere.”
“Weird game, weird controls, and story - didn't feel the atmosphere (personal experience) recommended for those who like such games like this only.”
“The game tries a dark and gritty atmosphere that initially delivers very well but it is just lost along the way.”
“It has terrible voice acting (but come on, you expect that from a video game) the graphics are mediocre, the atmosphere is ok and it has nice RPG elements that make the gameplay more interesting.”
- humor16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from the monotone and often poor voice acting, which, while not intentionally comedic, results in laughable moments that players find entertaining. Many reviews highlight the absurdity of the dialogue and cutscenes, contributing to a charmingly bad B-grade quality that enhances the overall experience. Additionally, the game's silly upgrades and the juxtaposition of serious themes with humorous delivery add to its comedic appeal.
“In fact, it can be pretty hilarious at times.”
“Not to mention, the cutscenes and voice acting are hilariously bad, which keeps a constant B-grade quality shining through the entire experience.”
“Charming little shooter that does a lot of things right: lots of atmosphere and humor, the game is never really difficult but it forces you to pay attention which creates a good amount of suspense.”
- stability9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -22 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The game's stability is notably inconsistent, with many players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches, particularly in the latter half. While some enjoy the gameplay, they caution that those unwilling to troubleshoot issues may find the experience frustrating. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," with significant stability concerns on modern machines.
“The game runs smoothly with minimal bugs, providing a stable experience.”
“I appreciate how stable the game feels; it rarely crashes or glitches.”
“Overall, the stability of the game enhances my enjoyment and immersion.”
“So, in short, if you are not interested in troubleshooting the game yourself to find the solutions to make it run, you better stay away from this game.”
“Throughout the first 60 minutes of the game, I witnessed events around me whilst I fought against bugs... and bugs... and bugs... and bugs... and bugs, truly a buggy mess.”
“A lot of bugs and glitches.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is often described as tedious and repetitive, with players feeling that the gameplay lacks sufficient action to offset the grind. While there are elements of satisfaction in the weapon leveling system, it ultimately feels shallow and contributes to a sense of monotony, making the experience less rewarding. Despite some atmospheric elements and a potentially interesting story, the grinding detracts from overall enjoyment.
“However, the gameplay is tedious at times.”
“There might be an interesting story buried under all this, but unfortunately grinding your teeth while shooting spiders isn't really worth it.”
“The weapon leveling system is simplistic and satisfying, but just a bit too shallow to ever depart from feeling like grinding.”
- character development3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with many players noting that while there are attempts to engage players emotionally, these efforts ultimately fall short. The storytelling is described as underwhelming, leading to a disappointing conclusion that fails to resonate. Overall, expectations for strong character development should be tempered.
“The game tries to tell you something at the start to make you care, but it just fails to deliver and generally fails at the character development section.”
“Action packed, alright character development, but the ending was pretty 'meh'.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from performance issues on newer systems, including frequent frame drops and camera stuttering, and it is not well-optimized for large resolutions. Despite these drawbacks, players find it addictive and appreciate the jump scares it offers.
“It has some performance issues on new systems, with frequent frame drops and weird camera hitching/stutter.”
“Not optimized for large resolutions, but still addictive and has a decent amount of jump scares.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is highly recommended for its strong replayability, offering genuine fun that encourages multiple playthroughs, with a rating of 8/10.
“Highly recommended game, easily replayable, genuine fun.”
“Replayability: 8/10”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report intense emotional experiences while playing, particularly during moments of fear and anxiety, as they navigate dark environments filled with threatening creatures. The game's ability to evoke such strong reactions highlights its effectiveness in creating a suspenseful atmosphere that can leave players feeling overwhelmed and on the verge of tears.
“This game isn't labeled as horror, but the number of times I felt sheer terror when a crowd of demonic creatures was charging at me in complete darkness was overwhelming. My torchlight wasn't wide enough, and I just wanted to cry, but I didn't have time for that.”
“The emotional weight of the story left me breathless. I found myself deeply connected to the characters, feeling their pain and joy as if it were my own.”
“Every choice I made felt significant, and the consequences hit me hard. I was emotionally invested in the outcome, and it made the experience unforgettable.”
