Shadowlings

About

"Shadowlings" is a brutal action game set in Medieval Japan, where you play as a vengeful ninja seeking retribution against a treacherous shogun. Key features include hardcore combat that relies on skill rather than character stats, a role system to master ancient ninja martial arts, and a variety of weapons and armor to enhance your lethality. The game also includes a soul-devouring mechanic for added depth.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 38 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

story2 negative mentions

The combat mechanics are fluid and rewarding, allowing players to improve their skills over time.
The game offers a decent RPG element with a skill tree and various upgrades that keep gameplay interesting.
It's a fun and engaging experience, especially considering it's free, making it a great time killer.

The gameplay can become repetitive and lacks variety in enemies and environments, leading to a grindy experience.
There are several bugs, such as getting stuck in treasure chests, which can disrupt gameplay.
The game lacks controller support, making it uncomfortable for players who prefer using a gamepad.

gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
10%
30%
The gameplay is praised for its solid mechanics, including fluid combat, effective swordsmanship, and a rewarding RPG skill tree, making it enjoyable and engaging, especially with a controller. However, many players note that the experience can become repetitive and somewhat bland over time, despite the initial fun and excitement. Overall, it is considered a hidden gem with great potential for enjoyment, particularly for fans of top-down melee shooters.
- “Fun indie freebie that I would happily recommend to anyone who enjoys a top-down melee range shooter with blocking mechanics, plus spells and a Diablo-like skill tree to explore as you level up and slash/stab baddies for the best reason of all... revenge!”
- “More importantly, the core gameplay is really, really, really good.”
- “The game is really good; I like the swordsmanship mechanics they implemented from the top-down perspective, and replaying the levels for money is still fun because of the fluid combat.”
- “But the gameplay quickly becomes repetitive.”
- “+ mechanics - mostly same as in mnb, only in 2D and with some magic skills.”
- “+ hardcore (I am still on 3rd level on medium difficulty after 3 hours of gameplay).”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising it as "awesome" and "really great," particularly in the context of the swordplay and rock elements. However, others find it annoying or unappealing, suggesting a divisive reception among users. Overall, while the music enhances the experience for some, it detracts for others.
- “Nice swordplay game with awesome music.”
- “Top-down samurai game with rock music!”
- “The music is just great, I mean really great.”
- “It's shot on production value (lack of assets, including music) but everything in the game is just spot on.”
- “As the top-rated positive comment has pointed out also: bugs occur (e.g. getting stuck in chests necessitating a quick-load, so save before opening them) and the music is annoying.”
- “And I don't like the music (but maybe it's just me).”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The graphics are highly praised, receiving a score of 9/10 for their clean art style that effectively evokes the essence of ancient Japan.
- “Graphics: 9/10”
- “The art style is clean but still evokes the vibes of ancient Japan.”
- “The visuals are stunning and truly immerse you in the game's world.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
Reviewers express a desire for more content, particularly a story set in a Viking, medieval, or fantasy world, suggesting that an expanded narrative and improved skill tree could significantly enhance the game's appeal.
- “I wish more content comes for this game, or maybe a story with a Viking, medieval, or fantasy setting.”
- “I wish more content would come for this game, or maybe a story set in a Viking, medieval, or fantasy setting.”
- “With a whole world, a story, and a better skill tree, it could be amazing.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with each level feeling excessively long and monotonous.
- “Every single level is tediously long and feels repetitive.”
- “The grinding in this game is mind-numbing and takes away from the overall experience.”
- “I spent hours doing the same tasks over and over, and it just became a chore.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the humor in the game to be effective and well-integrated, enhancing the overall fluidity of the gameplay experience.
- “The humor in this game is spot-on and keeps the gameplay entertaining.”
- “I love how the witty dialogue and funny scenarios make every moment enjoyable.”
- “The comedic elements are cleverly woven into the gameplay, making it a delightful experience.”