Shadowhand
- February 5, 2021
- Grey Alien Games
- 23h median play time
An ambitious game but one which exposes and compounds the weaknesses of solitaire.
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Get on Epic Games Store"Shadowhand" is a single-player historical turn-based strategy game set in late 18th century England. As the highwaywoman Shadowhand, players uncover a web of corruption while engaging in over 150 levels of card-driven RPG combat. With its interesting plot, phenomenal gameplay, outstanding graphics, compelling soundtrack, and plenty of humor, the game offers an engaging and immersive experience.
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Reviews
- Shadowhand combines engaging solitaire gameplay with RPG elements, allowing for character customization and strategic depth.
- The art and music are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the 18th-century setting.
- The game offers a compelling story that keeps players invested, with a variety of challenges and duels that add excitement.
- The game heavily relies on RNG, leading to frustrating moments where players may feel at the mercy of luck rather than skill.
- Some players find the difficulty curve steep, with later levels becoming overly challenging and requiring multiple retries.
- The AI can sometimes make poor decisions, which can feel unbalanced and detract from the overall challenge of the game.
- story299 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story in this game is generally well-received, featuring a charming and engaging narrative set in an 18th-century backdrop, with elements of adventure and intrigue. While some players find the plot to be cliched or simplistic, many appreciate the integration of RPG mechanics and the beautiful art that enhances the storytelling experience. Overall, the narrative serves as a compelling framework for the solitaire gameplay, though it can be easily skipped for those more focused on the mechanics.
“The story is well written and the art is beautiful.”
“A truly refreshing card game, with duels and equipment added to give it an extra shine, as well as a compelling story.”
“The art is gorgeous, the story is charming, and the RPG elements are blended with the card games in a satisfying way.”
“The story is very simple; it's one of these games that leave me wondering why the developers did not hire a professional writer since that would have increased the value of their end product.”
“The story is standard video game fare, nothing special, but if you like simple adventure stories, you won't be disappointed.”
“The story is utterly a waste of time.”
- gameplay199 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Shadowhand is a compelling blend of solitaire mechanics and RPG elements, offering a mix of strategic depth and addictive fun. While many players appreciate the engaging card-based combat and customization options, some criticize the heavy reliance on luck, which can lead to frustrating moments. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful art, intuitive mechanics, and replayability, making it a standout title for fans of the genre.
“The gameplay is really addicting; sometimes you need luck on your side, but with the right combination of weapons and consumables, you can master every level.”
“The combo of solitaire and card battler gameplay rocks so hard.”
“The gameplay is clever and different enough from normal card games to keep my interest throughout the entire 22 chapters.”
“The gameplay can feel a little repetitive, but I'm obsessed with the storyline!”
“Tedious gameplay that's padded out to the nth degree and loses any entertainment value by chapter 4, resulting in having to slog through an additional 18 chapters just to finally be done with it.”
“A compelling idea let down through a shallow combination of gameplay mechanics resulting in a massive reliance on luck.”
- graphics63 mentions
- 79 % positive mentions
- 16 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beauty and detail, with many reviewers highlighting the immersive art style and polished presentation. The visuals, including character designs and backgrounds, are described as vibrant and well-executed, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While some opinions vary on the art style's appeal, the consensus is that the graphics significantly contribute to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“The graphics are beautiful and creative, the story is well developed, and the gameplay is easy and relaxing... exactly as I want it.”
“The game looks absolutely fantastic and is professionally rendered from the menu screens, wonderful character artwork, gorgeous backgrounds, and everything in between.”
“The artwork is gorgeous and the story pretty enjoyable.”
“There is not much of gear choice (always best), story #nobody, graphics average, animation poor, music?”
“The story helps mask the reality of the game, the artwork seemed fine though the characters had something off about them.”
“The art style isn't my taste but I think it's cohesive and does what it sets out to do.”
- music46 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its thematic appropriateness and high quality, with many reviewers noting its beautiful orchestral style that enhances the overall atmosphere. However, some players mention that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetitiveness over time. Overall, the music complements the visuals well, contributing to a satisfying and immersive gameplay experience.
“The music and visuals are absolutely top notch!”
“The backgrounds, music, and sound all do a wonderful job of creating a believable setting with great atmospheric effects.”
“Also, the aural quality is equally superb featuring crisp high fidelity sound effects and a fantastic yet elegant orchestral soundtrack that blends in well with the eighteenth century storyline.”
“What music?”
“Its 10% visual novel, 10% classical music which never gets old and 80% of simplified solitaire.”
“There is not much of gear choice (always best), story #nobody, graphics average, animation poor, music?”
- replayability19 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate the engaging mechanics, character customization, and RPG elements that encourage multiple playthroughs, others criticize the linear storyline and item level issues that limit replay value. Some users report spending significant hours replaying due to the fun gameplay and varying difficulty levels, while others feel the lack of narrative diversity diminishes the incentive to replay. Ultimately, the game's replayability is enhanced by its strategic depth and diverse character options, but it may not appeal to those seeking a more varied story experience.
“This game is so easily replayable because, even if you ignore the story completely, the mechanics and board layouts are still fun enough to try over and over again.”
“Little did I know this game would suck me in for over 20 hours and offer RPG elements, storyline, character advancement, and great replayability.”
“Very replayable and immense value for money.”
“Not much replay value though.”
“As previously mentioned, the storyline is totally linear. I find this the biggest complaint, and though I am still moving forward through the game, I suspect there will be no replay value as a result.”
“It could have some replayability, but they could really have sorted out item levels to make it a much more replayable game on the whole.”
- humor9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding the bad dialogue and cliched story amusing in a "so bad it's funny" way, while others feel it lacks genuine comedic elements. The combination of casual gameplay and humorous character design adds to the lighthearted experience, though some reviewers suggest that the game could benefit from more intentional humor to enhance its appeal. Overall, the humor is present but inconsistent, with moments of charm overshadowed by a need for sharper wit.
“Funny, casual, and relaxing mixture of a solitaire game and a simple RPG.”
“Also, the fact that your character is shown wearing whatever items you put on her is hilarious.”
“Great art, very decent voice acting, basic story is good with some dryly humorous nods to period romance adventures.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and drawn out, leading to a loss of entertainment value as players progress. While some find moments of fun and appreciate the progression system, many express frustration with the repetitive nature of gameplay and the reliance on luck, resulting in a challenging experience that can feel more like a chore than enjoyable. Overall, players suggest that significant grinding is required, which may deter them from recommending the game unless heavily discounted.
“The progression system is nice, and the puzzles are usually not too tedious to solve.”
“Tedious gameplay that's padded out to the nth degree and loses any entertainment value by chapter 4, resulting in having to slog through an additional 18 chapters just to finally be done with it.”
“Starts out well enough, but the dueling system is tedious and often becomes you and your opponent passing back and forth hoping for someone to get a card they can play, only for the deck to reshuffle and your opponent hitting you with a massive combo.”
“I'm playing on 'normal' mode and where I can usually get 3 gold stars across the board in other solitaire games, I can't even imagine the grinding necessary to accomplish that in this game.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its cohesive art style, particularly the effective use of colors and lighting that enhance the overall experience. The music and sound effects are described as thematically appropriate and immersive, contributing to a believable setting. Overall, the combination of visual and auditory elements creates a rich and engaging atmosphere that elevates the gameplay.
“The art is always well fitting; the choice of colors, with all the purples and blues, along with the rim light and moonlit scenes, really work to give a great atmosphere. The music is unobtrusive but thematically appropriate, and the particle effects make scoring points very satisfying.”
“The Victorian era atmosphere is conveyed well with decent art and old-English styled dialogue.”
“The backgrounds, music, and sound all do a wonderful job of creating a believable setting with great atmospheric effects.”
“The Victorian era atmosphere is sold pretty well with decent art and old-English styled dialogue.”
“What can really make a difference in simple, casual games like this is the atmosphere of the game.”
- character development3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is hindered by the overwhelming influence of RNG, which diminishes the sense of personal growth or strategic planning. While enemies are well-designed and require thoughtful gear selection for battles, the overall character progression feels limited despite the presence of a story and polished graphics.
“Each enemy has good character design and their own stats, so you need to plan what gear and weapons to bring into certain duels.”
“It's got a story, it's got character development, it's got weapons, it's got great graphics, it's got polish.”
“This removes any feeling of 'character building' or 'character design', as no matter what strategy you try to employ, it must still bow down to the almighty RNG of this game.”
“The lack of meaningful choices in character development makes the experience feel shallow and unengaging.”
“I was hoping for a more nuanced character progression system, but instead, it feels like I'm just grinding through levels without any real impact on my character's growth.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to a disappointing experience for players, especially at higher difficulty levels where performance does not yield additional rewards.
“The optimization mechanics add a layer of strategy that keeps me engaged, as I strive to improve my performance on each level.”
“I love how the game encourages you to refine your approach; optimizing your strategy is key to mastering the higher difficulties.”
“The balance between challenge and optimization makes each attempt feel rewarding, even if the experience points don't increase.”
“My biggest disappointment is that the game is not optimized at all.”
“There's a degree of strategy involved, but higher difficulties and better performance on a given level on subsequent attempts doesn't garner any more experience.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features no microtransactions and offers extensive gameplay for a low price, making it a great value. Players appreciate the intuitive UI, inventive level design, and engaging graphics, all contributing to a satisfying experience that elevates solitaire into a tactical battle.
“No microtransactions, hundreds of hours of play for a tiny price, a UI that's quick and intuitive, inventive level design, a nice dash of humor, great graphics, and gameplay that turns solitaire into a satisfying, tactical battle.”
