Shadows Over Loathing
- November 11, 2022
- Asymmetric
- 11h median play time
Get on Steam"Shadows Over Loathing" is a single-player, browser-based RPG set in the 1920s. The game features an open world with procedurally generated locations and a unique, humorous storyline. Players can create and customize their character, forming a party to explore, combat enemies, and solve puzzles in a Lovecraftian-inspired universe.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- humor724 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Shadows Over Loathing" is widely praised for its clever writing, absurdity, and consistent comedic tone, reminiscent of its predecessor, "West of Loathing." While many players find it to be just as funny, some note that it lacks the same level of laugh-out-loud moments, with humor feeling more sporadic and less impactful at times. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with engaging RPG mechanics, making it a delightful experience for fans of the loathing series.
“Besides being a charming, entertaining, and funny game, it also rewards you for looking just that little bit closer.”
“The humor is still amazing.”
“This game is super funny and interesting; I spent 30 hours on it as of writing this.”
“It's a Lovecraftian game that's not scary, and a comedy game that's not funny... but hey, it's actually above average, so by that metric this is technically a good game, and under Steam's simplistic system, this does in fact earn a thumbs up from me.”
“It's like the first game but not funny.”
“It's painfully unfunny.”
- story384 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story in "Shadows Over Loathing" is generally regarded as more structured and engaging than its predecessor, "West of Loathing," featuring a coherent narrative that intertwines with numerous side quests. While some players appreciate the humor and depth of the writing, others find the main plot less compelling and the side quests occasionally tedious or confusing. Overall, the game balances absurdity with darker themes, offering a rich tapestry of storytelling that encourages exploration and replayability.
“The storyline was not complicated but still well written.”
“I know this game is mainly recognized for its stunning graphical achievements, but once you get past that there is actually an amazing story being told.”
“The story is funny and interesting, the characters are lovable, and the mechanics are excellent.”
“The number one reason I believe I do not like this game is the main story. The 'West of Loathing' story was nothing short of beautiful, but here you're not allowed to do anything without advancing the main story. I found it quite boring as a concept, with assisting in the banishing of evil spirits from objects being a relatively dull concept and not one worthy of the promised Lovecraftian dark horror with that classic loathing humor I was waiting for. Instead, I got 'Ghostbusters: Straight to DVD' stick figure edition.”
“The sheer amount of forgettable side quests was so tiring that I stopped doing them entirely near the end of the game, with the exception of the more interesting storylines. I found myself skipping through battle introductions, side quests, and even skimming through main story text because there was just so much of it.”
“The story is long and boring with incredibly tedious side quests. Having to play through the game three times in a month sucked most of the fun out, especially because of the longer game length from the linear storyline.”
- gameplay192 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Shadows Over Loathing" is generally praised for its humor and engaging mechanics, offering a blend of turn-based RPG combat and exploration that retains the charm of its predecessor, "West of Loathing." While some players appreciate the new crafting systems and deeper RPG elements, others feel the gameplay has become shallower and less innovative, with certain mechanics leading to frustration. Overall, the game is seen as a fun and humorous experience, though opinions vary on the depth and complexity of its gameplay compared to earlier titles.
“The gameplay I loved a lot, simple but very enjoyable.”
“Excellent story, fun gameplay, incredible writing, and phenomenal music.”
“The gameplay is pretty simple turn-based RPG combat, but with all of the options and customization, it manages to feel fresh throughout the journey, and with different class options and tons of different skills and partners, replayability is heavily encouraged.”
“If in West of Loathing we had ample opportunity to make use of our non-combat skills or class in the form of dialogue choices, that mechanic is almost completely absent in Shadows Over Loathing.”
“The gameplay is practically the same, graphics are basically the same, there is still no voice acting, etc.”
“I didn't hate this game by any means and was still engaged enough to finish it, but due to its lack of engaging humor, Shadows Over Loathing feels less like a barrage of jokes and more like a barrage of annoying systems and mechanics, making it... well, an average RPG.”
- music131 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Shadows Over Loathing" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional quality and integration into gameplay, particularly for the jazz agent class. Composed by Ryan Ike, the soundtrack is described as immersive, memorable, and fitting for the game's themes, although some players noted that it can become repetitive in certain areas. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, enhancing the game's humor and atmosphere significantly.
“Ryan Ike nailed the aesthetics of the music flawlessly yet again, and the game itself is a treat from start to finish.”
“The music is phenomenal and adds so much to the atmosphere of the game.”
“The soundtrack is absolutely stellar.”
“The one thing I'd say I disliked was the music at some parts, especially in the latter chapters - not that it's bad, it just becomes too intense when compared to going through corn mazes and just wandering around farms, with this feel of urgency, which is not fitting the overworld exploration.”
“It's like having boss fight music 100% of the time, so it stands out too much and becomes tiring.”
“I wish there was more music variety though it feels like only a handful of tracks in the first area.”
- graphics81 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a simple yet charming art style, often described as stick-figure or black-and-white, which complements the humorous tone and engaging storytelling. While some players appreciate the unique aesthetic and find it enhances the overall experience, others note that the minimalistic visuals may lead to eyestrain during extended play. Overall, the graphics are seen as a deliberate choice that aligns with the game's quirky humor and narrative depth, proving that compelling gameplay and writing can shine even without high-end visuals.
“Much like the previous game, this installment of the Loathing series is full of hilarious wordplay, engaging RPG mechanics, and a simple yet visually appealing art style.”
“The game's polish also really helps with the immersion; despite stick figure graphics and grayscale colors, the game does its best to present the world through small details, effects, and nice parallax backgrounds.”
“The art style may be mistaken as lazy, but they manage to do so much with the simple art style and aesthetic that you can't help but fall in love with it.”
“Graphics are non-existent; RPG mechanics are fine but not enough to keep you through the game, and it's not a short one.”
“My eyes did hurt a little after playing for a long time because of the monotone art style.”
“You won't find groundbreaking graphical fidelity here, nor innovative gameplay mechanics.”
- replayability55 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its diverse character classes, numerous side quests, and impactful choices that lead to different outcomes. While some players feel it may not reach the same level of replayability as "West of Loathing," many appreciate the hidden content and varied paths that encourage multiple playthroughs. Overall, it is regarded as a fun and engaging experience with ample opportunities for exploration and discovery.
“This is such an incredible choices-matter game - super fun tone, great black and white stick figure art, all of the side quests you could ask for, highly replayable.”
“In all seriousness, like West of Loathing, this game is filled with loads of comedy and about a billion different options and paths for your character to take, giving it an almost infinite replay value.”
“The gameplay is pretty simple turn-based RPG combat, but with all of the options and customization, it manages to feel fresh throughout the journey, and with different class options and tons of different skills and partners, replayability is heavily encouraged.”
“The game has some semblance of replayability, but falls short of anything meaningful in my opinion, outside of different options for characters and some side quests.”
“There's a huge amount of variation in the game's ending, and likewise in the path you take through the game, so this thing's replayable... but I'm not sure I would make any different decisions, so I don't feel personally compelled to replay it.”
“Very silly, replayable but you will see most things on your first playthrough if you are trying to.”
- grinding38 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding in the game to be tedious and often unfulfilling, with many describing it as mindless repetition that detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the humor and variety in side quests, others feel that the combat and puzzles become increasingly monotonous as the game progresses. The lack of meaningful rewards for grinding and the disjointed narrative further contribute to a sense of frustration among players.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Straight to the point, no grinding, tons of choices.”
“But here's the thing, in the original game it was very hard and required a lot of mindless grinding to get most stats to the max. It was literally impossible to unlock all stats before the final region and final two zones were unlocked.”
“The longer you play this game, the more tedious and less rewarding it becomes.”
“A tedious collection of tasks, activities, and puzzles that never quite resolves into gameplay; none of the charm of 'West of Loathing' or even 'Wol'.”
- atmosphere21 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its creative world-building, blending supernatural elements with the mundane, and a captivating musical score that enhances the experience. While some players appreciate the shift to a more Victorian, 1920s vibe, others feel it lacks the consistent humor and charm of its predecessor, "West of Loathing." Overall, the game delivers a unique and immersive atmosphere, though opinions vary on its effectiveness compared to earlier titles.
“One of the most atmospheric games I've ever played, with creative world building, a beautiful score, and fantastic, rewarding combat.”
“The atmosphere of the game is amazing - it's the fine blend of supernatural vs the mundane, like having a college course named 'spiders' played completely straight, or having the mob fight vampires in the city because it's just another gang to them.”
“Atmosphere, jokes, and imagination all combine to make this a gem of an experience.”
“In this sequel, though, there's much less of a commitment to actual jokes and self-contained gags, with much more emphasis put into the Victorian, 1920s-era atmosphere and combat/perk mechanics.”
“The map is bigger than WOL but split into completely different sections that retain their own characters and atmosphere, making the world feel more disjointed - which works against the consistent atmosphere that this sequel is trying to build.”
“Meanwhile, the charming humor has been replaced with a spooky Victorian atmosphere that's sometimes serious and sometimes funny, but never settles into one groove for long enough to feel authentic.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its unexpected depth, blending humor with touching moments that resonate with players. Reviewers note the game's ability to evoke genuine feelings through unique character arcs and a surprisingly poignant ending, making it a memorable experience that balances silliness with heartfelt themes. Overall, it successfully combines comedic elements with emotional storytelling, leaving a lasting impact on players.
“It's insanely dense, oddly emotional, and extremely funny.”
“The ending actually made me kind of emotional which I didn't expect from a loathing game, but...hey.”
“From an eerily realistic visual art style to touching character arcs, and from petting cute cats to battling Lovecraftian horrors beyond human comprehension, this game has got it all.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, featuring instant startup and loading times, smooth performance, and an efficient combat and companion system. Reviewers highlight it as a standout in contrast to other poorly optimized titles, delivering a solid overall experience.
“It starts up and loads games instantly, with instant loading times and smooth performance.”
“Great gameplay and skill system, featuring an optimized combat scheme and companion system.”
“A solid performance all around.”
“I have so many other games that are poorly optimized trash in terms of using computer resources.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is commendable, particularly on the Steam Deck, where it runs smoothly with a solid six hours of battery life. While players encountered minor challenges during gameplay and puzzle-solving, there were no significant issues or glitches reported.
“It's pretty darn good; it runs great on the Steam Deck with 6 hours of battery life.”
“The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience throughout.”
“I've had no crashes or bugs, which makes for a really stable gaming experience.”
“The game frequently crashes, making it nearly impossible to progress without losing progress.”
“I encountered numerous glitches that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
“There were constant frame rate drops that affected the overall stability of the game.”
