Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 238 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • humor
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered Game Cover
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a surprisingly satisfying romp through Hell, as long as you plug your ears.
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"Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered" is a hellish action-adventure game where players control Garcia Hotspur, a charmingly crude hero on a mission to rescue his kidnapped lover from the Underworld's overlord. Fight through hordes of demons with the help of your skull-butler Johnson, harnessing the powers of light and dark to traverse fiendishly funky dungeons. This remastered version features new costumes and other exclusive content, making it a worthy addition to the original.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 238 reviews
gameplay9 positive mentions
graphics8 negative mentions
  • Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a nostalgic throwback to the PS3/Xbox 360 era, filled with crude humor and engaging demon-slaying gameplay.
  • The game features a unique art style and atmosphere, with diverse environments that keep the visual experience fresh and interesting.
  • The dynamic between the main characters, Garcia and Johnson, provides charming banter and adds to the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • The remaster is criticized for being a barebones port with no graphical options, resolution settings, or significant improvements over the original.
  • Gameplay can feel clunky and lacks the depth found in similar titles, with some mechanics feeling repetitive and encounters lacking tension.
  • The humor, while entertaining for some, may not resonate with all players, and the writing can come off as cringe-worthy or dated.
  • graphics62 mentions

    The graphics of *Shadows of the Damned* have received mixed reviews, with many users expressing disappointment over the lack of graphical options and significant upgrades in the remaster. While some appreciate the game's unique art design and atmosphere, others criticize the dated textures and absence of features like resolution settings and ultrawide support, leading to a perception of it being a basic port rather than a true remaster. Overall, the visuals are seen as adequate but in need of improvement, especially for a modern release.

    • “I really liked the visuals and art design and found the game's atmosphere and soundtrack to be excellent.”
    • “Overall, the graphics are still good thanks to special visual design, so I see no problems with it.”
    • “Despite the disappointment with the graphics, controls, and camera angle, it's important to acknowledge the talent of the creators.”
    • “Calling this a remaster is an absolute stretch of imagination given the textures look like literal ass and there is not a single graphic option to be found. I don't think native upscaling to your monitor can really be classified as 'remastered'.”
    • “There are zero graphic options which is flat-out disgusting, but I guess at least the game plays fine.”
    • “Not having any options for graphic settings or anything really shows how low effort this was.”
  • gameplay46 mentions

    Gameplay in this title is a mix of familiar mechanics reminiscent of classic third-person shooters like Resident Evil 4, infused with quirky humor and varied mechanics that aim to keep the experience fresh. While some players appreciate the introduction of new gameplay elements and the integration of humor into the mechanics, others find the gameplay to be somewhat clunky and lacking depth, with certain sequences feeling repetitive or like filler. Overall, the gameplay is serviceable and entertaining, though it may not reach the heights of its predecessors.

    • “Gameplay mirrors this variety, often shifting genres or introducing new mechanics to keep players on their toes.”
    • “If you dig into the mechanics, there's enough to keep you interested and mix up your play style - e.g. rolling into enemies removes the enemy's shadow, giving you both a defensive and offensive move in one that maintains the pace of combat.”
    • “The moment-to-moment gameplay is kept fairly fresh with new mechanics being introduced, so despite the fact that the game is a third-person shooter, it does its best to offer varied gameplay within those constraints.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay itself doesn’t quite reach the same heights.”
    • “Mechanically, you’ll face recurring sequences that feel more like filler than fun, such as escorting an anglerfish-like creature to light your path.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it feels like a lesser version of The Evil Within 1, with some really annoying gimmicks, silly QTEs, and awful boss fights that overstay their welcome.”
  • humor42 mentions

    The humor in the game is a polarizing mix of crude, dark, and juvenile jokes, often centered around sexual innuendo and absurdity, which some players find hilarious while others deem cringeworthy. The dynamic between the main characters, Garcia and Johnson, adds charm and wit to the storytelling, making the gameplay feel like a vehicle for humor rather than the other way around. Overall, the game's unapologetic approach to humor, reminiscent of a bygone era, appeals to those with a taste for irreverent comedy, though it may not resonate with everyone.

    • “The humor shines brightest in the dynamic between Garcia and Johnson.”
    • “It's a game where the gameplay exists primarily to facilitate the humor and storytelling.”
    • “The sense of humor goes beyond the surface level jokes and dialogs and it actually contributes to building a rendition of hell that is as funny as legitimately interesting.”
    • “My only beef with it (other than the cringey humor) is that the main character's melee finishers don't have the perfect shotgun blast god hand style animations of Resident Evil 4's Leon Kennedy's kicks and suplexes.”
  • music25 mentions

    The music in the game, composed by Akira Yamaoka, is widely praised for its ability to create an unforgettable atmosphere and enhance the overall experience. While some tracks may not stand out individually, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's appeal. Overall, players appreciate the quality and uniqueness of Yamaoka's work, despite some noting that his style can feel somewhat repetitive.

    • “The soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka creates an unforgettable atmosphere that elevates the entire experience.”
    • “The aesthetics are all exactly to my taste, especially with the killer character designs from Q Hayashida and the incredible OST from Akira Yamaoka.”
    • “In short, this game is dumb fun with great music and satisfying demon-slaying.”
    • “The soundtrack complements the action, though few tracks stand out aside from the climactic theme.”
    • “All in all, the only highlight worth mentioning here is the soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka.”
    • “It only allows you to adjust sensitivity, music, and language options.”
  • story24 mentions

    The story of the game is a humorous and exaggerated take on the classic damsel-in-distress trope, featuring a protagonist on a wild journey through hell to rescue his girlfriend, Paula, from a demon. While the narrative is often described as minimal and cheesy, it serves as a vehicle for entertaining gameplay and quirky character interactions, with plenty of dark humor and absurd moments that keep the experience engaging. Overall, players appreciate the game's whimsical storytelling and the charm of its characters, despite its lack of serious depth.

    • “The duo’s banter is genuinely charming, especially during the game’s twisted storybook segments, which introduce the tragic backstories of its bosses.”
    • “The story is a fun romp through hell to save your lovely Paula from the evil Fleming, and there are plenty of funny, zany moments that happen along the way.”
    • “It's like RE4 meets Suda51's crazy gameplay and storytelling with a (very dope) humorous approach.”
    • “The story is minimal and serves as a vehicle for the gameplay: your girlfriend gets stolen by some demon guy from hell and you have to get her back.”
    • “Imagine a game where the story was written by a 14-year-old stoner.”
    • “Game is meant to be wacky and all over the place, so don't go into it expecting Nier levels of story and lore, although you piss yourself laughing when it actually comes to the boss lore books in-game.”
  • stability8 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck with good performance metrics, many users report significant bugs such as texture issues and invulnerable bosses that disrupt gameplay. Some players find the PC version to be largely bug-free and stable, but the lack of graphics options may disappoint others.

    • “This game got me into Q Hayashida back when it came out, and it runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “Just to note that this port is fairly barebones when it comes to video configuration, which I suspect will disappoint some folks, but what I can say is it runs great on the Steam Deck without any messing around.”
    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “Unfortunately, it's beyond buggy; textures are not loading properly, and bosses become invulnerable, forcing you to restart over and over.”
    • “Really wanted to like this game, but it's buggy as hell right now. Sad!”
    • “There are no graphics options for the PC version; however, the game is buttery smooth and bug-free, unlike the buggy unplayable mess that was Lollipop Chainsaw Re-Pop, which I ended up refunding.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The optimization of the remastered game has received significant criticism, with players reporting severe performance issues, including frame rates dropping below 30fps and a lack of graphics and performance settings on PC. Despite the game's visual appeal and engaging content, many users express frustration, especially those with high-end hardware, noting that previous titles from the same developer had better performance. Overall, the remaster appears to suffer from substantial optimization problems.

    • “I played the original on release and this remaster is pretty much the same game, with improved performance.”
    • “The performance is absolutely terrible in the Shadow of the Damned remastered; my system is running below 30fps, and the settings lack any form of graphics and performance options on PC.”
    • “I run a 4060 on my laptop, and Black Ops 6 with packet burst can run better than this, so the optimization is complete garbage on high-end graphics cards.”
    • “Lolipop Chainsaw Repop was another Suda51 game that barely had any issues when it came to performance, except on Steam Decks, so I do not know what went wrong with this remaster.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is richly varied across its five chapters, featuring eerie European settings, grotesque flesh markets, and a neon-lit entertainment district filled with bizarre art. The visuals and art design are highly praised, complemented by an exceptional soundtrack and sound direction by Akira Yamaoka, which together create an unforgettable and immersive experience. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout element that significantly enhances the gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka creates an unforgettable atmosphere that elevates the entire experience.”
    • “Each of the game’s five chapters offers a distinct atmosphere: the eerie cobblestone roads and European homes near the highway, the grotesque yet vibrant flesh markets serving delicacies of various human and animal meat, and the neon-lit entertainment district adorned with bizarre demon art showcasing their carnal desires and perverted tastes.”
    • “Above all else, Shadows is carried by its atmosphere and environment design.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, as it often involves repetitive combat scenarios that require waiting for enemies to approach, leading to a frustrating experience. The hope for more engaging interactions with NPCs is often unmet, leaving players feeling that the grind lacks meaningful rewards.

    • “This ends up forcing you to tediously blast them with a shotgun after you slowly wait for them to walk up to you.”
    • “Now you might think, 'Okay, finally, I'm going indoors somewhere. However crude the setting, at least I'm going to meet some actual NPCs in the game and I'll have a reason to go through all the tedious combat.'”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The remastered version enhances replayability with a new game+ mode that allows players to experience the game again with all their upgrades, extending the playtime to about 6-8 hours. Users find it more engaging than previous emulated versions.

    • “The length is about 6-8 hours, and there is a New Game+ mode added into this version, so you can play through the game again with all your upgrades, which adds to the replayability.”
    • “The length is about 6-8 hours, and there is a new game+ mode added into this version, so you can play through the game again with all your upgrades, which adds to the replayability.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Many games leverage their interactive nature to evoke strong emotions, with some titles successfully prompting players to deeply connect with characters and engage in actions that prioritize emotional fulfillment over gameplay objectives.

    • “Some games attempt to use their interactive capabilities to deliver a powerful emotional punch.”
    • “There are two games that I would argue deliver such an emotional payload effectively, making me feel a sudden, irrational need to inhabit the character and do something that would clearly not contribute to a 'win' condition.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted for its unique and striking character designs, complemented by a compelling soundtrack. However, some users find certain character traits, such as repetitive outbursts, to be questionable in terms of depth and growth. Overall, while the aesthetics are praised, the depth of character development may leave some players wanting more.

    • “The aesthetics are all exactly to my taste, especially with the killer character designs from Q Hayashida and the incredible OST from Akira Yamaoka.”
    • “One of the characters just repeatedly yells 'f*** you' over and over for some reason. Is that what they call character development?”
    • “The character arcs are so shallow that I felt no connection to any of them.”
    • “I expected more depth, but the characters feel like one-dimensional stereotypes.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers express concern that the game's monetization strategy is misleading, as it is marketed as a remaster despite not meeting those expectations. This has led to dissatisfaction among players who feel the pricing does not reflect the product's quality.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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