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
- humor773 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 just as funny, some note a slight decline in humor quality, attributing it to the darker, Lovecraftian themes that occasionally overshadow the comedic elements. Overall, the game is celebrated for its witty dialogue, engaging puzzles, and the ability to elicit genuine laughter throughout the gameplay experience.
“The humor is still amazing.”
“This game is hilarious, and you won't regret buying it.”
“The writing is slapstick and punchy, and the jokes are a combination of excruciating puns and observational humor.”
“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.”
- story402 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally praised for its humor, depth, and engaging writing, with many players appreciating the interconnectedness of side quests and the main narrative. While some found the main plot less cohesive compared to its predecessor, "West of Loathing," others enjoyed the more structured storyline and the variety of quests available. However, there are criticisms regarding tedious fetch quests and occasional confusion in quest tracking, which can detract from the overall experience.
“Fantastic story and writing.”
“The story is funny and interesting, the characters are lovable, and the mechanics are excellent.”
“The writing is witty and sharp while also managing to tell a compelling story.”
“The story could certainly use some work.”
“The story wasn't engaging and if I accidentally did something wrong I was locked out of content and forced to restart and hope I didn't make the same mistake, making the whole experience just kind of draining.”
“The sheer amount of forgettable side quests (I'm not exaggerating when I say that I dreaded talking to new NPCs because I knew they would give me 20 minutes of busywork) was so tiring that I stopped doing them entirely near the end of the game, with the exception of the more interesting storylines.”
- gameplay206 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Shadows Over Loathing" is generally described as simple yet enjoyable, maintaining a turn-based RPG structure similar to its predecessor, "West of Loathing." While some players appreciate the improved mechanics and humor, others feel the gameplay lacks depth and can become repetitive or tedious at times. Overall, the game successfully combines engaging writing and clever puzzles with a light RPG framework, though opinions vary on its complexity and replayability.
“The gameplay is rather unimpressive either.”
“The gameplay keeps you thinking, and while it can feel tedious at certain times, overall it is a fantastic experience I would recommend to anyone who can read.”
“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.”
“Skills, perks, and effects are given a better interface than they were in 'West of Loathing', but the gameplay is also a lot more shallow.”
“Some of the puzzles tend to rely on trial and error, busywork, and other mechanics that often felt like chores.”
“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.”
- music141 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional quality and integration into gameplay, particularly highlighting the adaptive soundtrack and the work of composer Ryan Ike. Players describe the soundtrack as "phenomenal," "banging," and "immaculate," noting its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and humor. However, some critiques mention repetitiveness in certain areas and a mismatch between the intensity of the music and the game's exploration segments. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“The music is phenomenal and adds so much to the atmosphere of the game.”
“The soundtrack is absolutely stellar.”
“Ryan Ike nailed the aesthetics of the music flawlessly yet again, and the game itself is a treat from start to finish.”
“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.”
- graphics90 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a simplistic, stick-figure aesthetic that some players initially find unappealing, but many come to appreciate for its charm and humor. While the visuals are not groundbreaking, they effectively complement the game's witty writing and engaging story, proving that compelling gameplay and narrative can shine through minimalistic design. Overall, the art style is seen as a unique and integral part of the game's identity, enhancing the overall experience despite its lack of detail.
“The graphics are surprisingly good, even if you know from their previous games that the graphics are surprisingly good.”
“While the graphics may appear lackluster at first, they do provide a very unique charm and fit in well with the general wackiness of the game.”
“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.”
“Graphics are non-existent; RPG mechanics are fine but not enough to keep you through the game, 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.”
- replayability59 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, offering numerous choices, character classes, and side quests that encourage multiple playthroughs. Players appreciate the comedic tone and the depth of content, with many noting that different decisions lead to varied experiences and endings. While some feel it may not reach the replayability levels of its predecessor, "West of Loathing," it still provides 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.”
“I am awestruck by how many possibilities and secrets there are in this game, rendering it very high in its replay value.”
- grinding40 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often frustrating, with many quests and puzzles described as repetitive and lacking in reward. While some appreciate the humor and variety in side quests, the general consensus is that the game becomes increasingly monotonous as it progresses, with a combat system that can feel overly simplistic or drawn out. Despite some redeeming qualities, the grinding experience is frequently criticized for detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“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, and 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 'Kingdom of Loathing'.”
- atmosphere22 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its creative world-building, blending supernatural elements with mundane settings, and a captivating musical score that enhances the experience. While some players feel the sequel lacks the consistent humor and charm of its predecessor, it still delivers a unique Victorian-era vibe that is both spooky and engaging. Overall, the game is recognized for its immersive atmosphere, though opinions vary on its execution 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.”
“I cried when Pointdexter said 'I would choose shadows over loathing any day.'”
- optimization5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, featuring instant startup and loading times, smooth performance, and an efficient use of computer resources. Reviewers highlight the well-optimized gameplay mechanics, including the combat and companion systems, contributing to a solid overall experience.
“It starts up and loads games instantly, with instant loading times and smooth performance.”
“Great gameplay and skill system, with 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 impressive 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 solid frame rate, ensuring a smooth experience throughout.”
“I've experienced minimal bugs, which really enhances the overall stability of the gameplay.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress without losing progress.”
“I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which severely affected my gameplay experience.”
“There were numerous bugs that disrupted my enjoyment, including freezing and unexpected shutdowns.”
