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Shadowhand

An ambitious game but one which exposes and compounds the weaknesses of solitaire.
Shadowhand Game Cover
77%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, monetization
84% User Score Based on 683 reviews
Critic Score 57%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

PCMac OSWindows
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Shadowhand Game Cover

About

Shadowhand is a single player role playing game with fantasy and historical themes. It was developed by Grey Alien Games and was released on December 7, 2017. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"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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Shadowhand screenshot
Shadowhand screenshot
Shadowhand screenshot
Shadowhand screenshot
Shadowhand screenshot
Shadowhand screenshot
Shadowhand screenshot
Shadowhand screenshot
Shadowhand screenshot
Shadowhand screenshot
Shadowhand screenshot
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84%
Audience ScoreBased on 683 reviews
story140 positive mentions
grinding12 negative mentions
  • Shadowhand combines solitaire mechanics with RPG elements, providing a unique and engaging gameplay experience.
  • The game features beautiful art, a charming story, and a variety of character customization options that enhance the overall experience.
  • The duel mechanics add an interesting layer of strategy, requiring players to adapt their gear and abilities based on their opponents' strengths and weaknesses.
  • The game heavily relies on RNG, which can lead to frustrating moments where players feel at the mercy of luck rather than skill.
  • Some players may find the story and character interactions to be clichéd or lacking depth, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
  • The difficulty can spike unexpectedly, especially in later chapters, leading to repetitive gameplay as players may need to restart levels multiple times to achieve desired outcomes.
  • story
    387 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of Shadowhand is a blend of 18th-century adventure and light RPG elements, featuring a young noblewoman who becomes a highwaywoman to uncover a conspiracy. While opinions on the narrative vary, many find it charming and engaging, though some criticize it for being clichéd or poorly written. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay, providing motivation and context without overshadowing the solitaire mechanics.

    • “Shadowhand is a card game with a great story and just enough weird tweaks to keep you entertained.”
    • “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.”
    • “Gameplay is fun enough, but the story is painfully bad.”
    • “The story is a little convoluted and after a few levels I did not care anymore, but the solitaire gameplay is solid.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay
    260 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in this card battler/solitaire game is generally described as fun, engaging, and addictive, with a solid mix of traditional solitaire mechanics and RPG elements that enhance strategy and replayability. While many players appreciate the straightforward mechanics and the depth added by character customization and dueling, some express frustration with the reliance on luck and the potential for repetitive gameplay. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful art, interesting story, and the clever integration of various mechanics, making it a compelling experience 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 mechanics are straightforward, fun, and rewarding.”
    • “The gameplay itself is pretty typical for the genre: cards are randomly placed in pre-designed layouts of overlapping cards, and your job is to clear the level by removing them before expending your entire draw deck.”
    • “Some of the gameplay is more annoying than a regular solitaire game, which is not really what solitaire should be.”
    • “The gameplay became overly repetitive, which detracted from my enjoyment of the story.”
    • “A compelling idea let down through a shallow combination of gameplay mechanics resulting in a massive reliance on luck.”
  • graphics
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game have received widespread praise for their beautiful, immersive art style, which effectively captures the Victorian England setting and enhances the overall atmosphere. Players appreciate the detailed hand-drawn visuals, vibrant colors, and polished design, contributing to a captivating experience. However, some users noted limitations in customization options and occasional inconsistencies in character design, though these did not significantly detract from the game's aesthetic appeal.

    • “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's no options to change the resolution for the game or customize the graphics settings.”
    • “There's no way for gamers to try to improve the low-quality graphics.”
    • “The only pros I've found until now are art style and setting.”
  • music
    63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric orchestral quality, fitting well with the setting and enhancing the overall experience. While many players find the classical background music charming and appropriate, some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the sound design, including music and sound effects, contributes positively to the game's ambiance, though a desire for more varied tracks is a common sentiment.

    • “The art is charming and the classical style music is dramatic and appropriate to the setting.”
    • “There are 22 levels with something like 150 total hands to play with truly gorgeous art and lovely classical background music; all just so much to love.”
    • “The music and visuals are absolutely top notch!”
    • “The graphics and music are not out of this world, but they are well designed so that you won't get bored.”
    • “I dislike the combat music immensely as I feel it doesn't fit with the theme of the game overall.”
    • “Especially in a card game, having music that I expect in something like Doom.”
  • replayability
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game offers a decent level of replayability, with many players enjoying the mechanics, RPG elements, and character customization that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some reviewers noted that the linear storyline and lack of diverse game modes limit its long-term replay value. Despite these criticisms, many still find the game engaging enough to warrant repeated play, especially at discounted prices.

    • “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.”
    • “A better replay value could have been achieved with different game modes, etc. The game often goes on sale and can be found for very cheap prices, though it has also been in Fanatical bundles multiple times last year and this year.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized, with many players finding the later chapters tedious and overly long, particularly when aiming for 3-star completions. While some appreciate the progression system and puzzle-solving elements, the repetitive nature of the dueling system and the extensive grinding required can lead to frustration and diminished enjoyment, prompting some to question the game's overall value.

    • “The progression system is nice, and the puzzles are usually not too tedious to solve.”
    • “Grinding in this game feels rewarding, as each level up brings a sense of accomplishment.”
    • “I appreciate how the grinding mechanics are balanced, making it enjoyable rather than a chore.”
    • “The last few chapters of the 22 chapters total are grindy if you want to 3-star everything.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • humor
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding the cliched story and poor dialogue unintentionally amusing, while others appreciate the lightheartedness of dressing characters in silly outfits. The game offers a casual and funny experience, though some feel it could benefit from more intentional humor to enhance the overall enjoyment. Overall, it strikes a balance between engaging mechanics and a playful tone, appealing to those who enjoy a quirky, relaxed gaming atmosphere.

    • “Funny, casual, and relaxing mixture of a solitaire game and a simple RPG.”
    • “For the price I got it for (a couple of quid), it's a funny, addictive, and quick pick-up-and-play.”
    • “Also, the fact that your character is shown wearing whatever items you put on her is hilarious.”
  • atmosphere
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its beautiful hand-drawn graphics, thematically appropriate orchestral music, and immersive sound effects that create a believable setting. The Victorian-era aesthetic is effectively conveyed through art and dialogue, enhancing the overall experience. While some reviewers noted a lack of voice acting and occasional luck-based frustrations, the game's atmospheric qualities and engaging gameplay make it stand out in a crowded genre.

    • “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 backgrounds, music, and sound all do a wonderful job of creating a believable setting with great atmospheric effects.”
    • “It has beautiful art, music, and an immersive atmosphere.”
    • “One needs to search carefully for the minuses - maybe too static presentation with the absence of dubbing that would make the game atmosphere even better and the system of luck that goes too much against you sometimes.”
    • “Steam is bursting with card solitaire games, and a lot of them are disappointingly soulless - they function on a purely technical level, but have no atmosphere and tend to have horrible balancing problems.”
    • “What can really make a difference in simple, casual games like this is the atmosphere of the game.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of Shadowhand: RPG Card Game has shifted to a free-to-play format with in-app purchases, which some users find problematic due to the potential for a never-ending treadmill and pressure for short-term purchases. However, many still appreciate the game's value, noting that it offers hundreds of hours of play for a low price, alongside an engaging gameplay experience.

    • “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.”
    • “It's now only available as free-to-play with in-app purchases, and despite the problems with such games (never-ending treadmill, pushing for short-term bonus purchases), it's still a perfect combination of theme and gameplay.”
    • “I was thinking that Shadowhand: RPG Card Game will only be one of these shallow card battlers that bring only basic RPG elements mainly for advertising purposes and a story that could be written by a 10-year-old kid.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to a disappointing experience for players. Despite the strategic elements and potential for improved performance on repeated attempts, higher difficulties do not reward players with additional experience, further detracting from the overall gameplay experience.

    • “The optimization in this game is impressive, allowing players to fine-tune their strategies for maximum efficiency.”
    • “I love how the game encourages players to optimize their approach, making each run feel unique and rewarding.”
    • “The balance between challenge and optimization keeps me engaged, as I constantly seek to improve my performance.”
    • “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.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is hindered by the overwhelming influence of RNG, which diminishes the sense of personal growth or strategic planning. However, the enemies are well-designed with unique stats, requiring players to thoughtfully select gear and weapons for battles. Overall, while the game features a story and polished graphics, the character development aspect feels limited.

    • “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.”
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57%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews
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23h Median play time
24h Average play time
14-40h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Shadowhand is a role playing game with fantasy and historical themes.

Shadowhand is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

On average players spend around 24 hours playing Shadowhand.

Shadowhand was released on December 7, 2017.

Shadowhand was developed by Grey Alien Games.

Shadowhand has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Shadowhand is a single player game.

Similar games include Ancient Enemy, Druidstone: The Secret of the Menhir Forest, Regency Solitaire, Solitairica, Dicey Dungeons and others.