Shadwen

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 538 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Shadwen Game Cover
Strangely compelling in spite of its shortcomings, Shadwen is an unusual stealth game with a head full of ideas that never quite get the support they need to bear fruit. Worth a try.
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"Shadwen is a single-player historical platformer game with impressive graphics, music, and unique game mechanics. As an assassin on a mission, players must decide whether to kill or spare guards while staying hidden from sight. Move freely through the environment, using shadows and objects to your advantage, as a young girl follows your every move."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 538 reviews
gameplay127 positive mentions
stability35 negative mentions
  • Unique time manipulation mechanics that allow for experimentation without punishment.
  • Engaging stealth gameplay with multiple approaches (killing or sparing guards).
  • Beautiful graphics and atmospheric design that enhance the medieval setting.
  • Repetitive level design and enemy types that lead to a lack of variety.
  • AI companion (Lily) can be frustrating and sometimes behaves erratically.
  • Weak story and character development that fails to engage players.
  • gameplay394 mentions

    The gameplay in "Shadwen" is characterized by its unique mechanics, particularly the time manipulation features that allow players to freeze and rewind time, facilitating experimentation and strategic planning in stealth scenarios. While the core mechanics are engaging and provide a fresh take on the stealth genre, many players noted that the gameplay can become repetitive due to limited enemy types and a lack of new mechanics introduced as the game progresses. Overall, the combination of stealth, time control, and grappling hook mechanics creates an interesting but sometimes uneven experience, with some players finding the mechanics overly simplistic or unpolished.

    • “It's an interesting mechanic that is great for allowing experimentation without punishing you for doing something wrong.”
    • “The gameplay is interesting and unique enough that it's enjoyable.”
    • “The time mechanics in the game make it perfect for setting up complicated, methodical plans and executing them flawlessly.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and lacks any depth of story or gameplay.”
    • “The game is badly designed, linear gameplay which is basically the same the entire game, with a grand total of 2 enemy types; the entire game is an escort mission, and when spotted, you are instantly killed from any range.”
    • “The rewind mechanics make the whole game really easy; if you get caught, just rewind and try another way. The only way to lose is if the AI of the girl is bugged, which happened sometimes.”
  • story331 mentions

    The story in "Shadwen" is generally viewed as simplistic and underdeveloped, primarily revolving around an assassin's mission to kill a king while escorting a young girl named Lily. Players noted that the narrative is largely conveyed through guard conversations and player choices, which can affect the outcome, but many felt it lacked depth and compelling character motivations. While some appreciated the unique mechanics tied to the story, the overall consensus is that the plot feels like a mere backdrop to the gameplay rather than a fully realized narrative.

    • “It's interesting to have to look after the young girl, Lily, and the story is influenced by whether you choose to murder your way through or be more gracious and spare lives.”
    • “The story is simple yet captivating, and it unfolds through the interactions and conversations between the guards.”
    • “The story itself can be somewhat impacted by Lily seeing a dead body or you killing someone in front of her, which adds a layer of depth to the gameplay.”
    • “The story is pretty much non-existent.”
    • “The biggest disappointment was the plot/story or rather lack of it.”
    • “The story is simple yet captivating.”
  • graphics87 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered decent for an indie title from 2016, with some reviewers praising the art style and atmospheric design, while others note that they feel outdated and lack polish compared to more modern games. While the visuals can be aesthetically pleasing and immersive, they are often described as mediocre, with some technical issues and repetitive environments detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a mixed bag, offering some charm but not pushing the boundaries of visual fidelity.

    • “The graphics are lovely; you feel like the heroine of an animated movie.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, smooth gameplay, and a decent story.”
    • “Graphics are beautiful and engaging and fit the theme of the game spot-on.”
    • “Bad graphics (looks like a 2005 game)”
    • “The graphics are a bit last decade (and the few FMVs look two decades old), the controls feel clunky and unpolished, the basic idea of the game boring, and the gameplay itself needlessly difficult at points.”
    • “Graphically it's a bit of a mixed bag... there's some nice attention to detail in some of the textures and the style of some of the characters is decent enough but it's just not very good in most other places.”
  • stability38 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with players reporting a range of bugs and glitches, including janky AI behavior and occasional freezing during gameplay. While some users experienced game-breaking issues, others noted that the time manipulation mechanics allowed them to work around these problems, making the gameplay enjoyable despite the instability. Overall, while the game runs relatively well for some, the presence of numerous quirks and glitches can detract from the experience.

    • “I experienced no freezes or major bugs.”
    • “Was very much pleasantly surprised when I got into this game; one of the best stealth games I've ever played. Looks great, runs great, interesting ways to work around your enemies, cool contraptions to create to aid you in various ways.”
    • “- Looks great, runs great.”
    • “The game every so often completely freezes during gameplay.”
    • “Also, I've encountered so many bugs and glitches (some kind of game-breaking, such as enemies spawning dead in the level during a no-kills playthrough), that it left me feeling drained and irritated.”
    • “This isn't the only problem I've experienced; another problem is where the game suddenly not just freezes but makes what sounds like a BSOD type sound.”
  • music27 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and tension, while others noted its repetitiveness and lack of development. Some players found the soundtrack reminiscent of other titles, such as "Dishonored" and "World of Warcraft," contributing positively to the overall experience. However, a few critics felt the music was mediocre and could benefit from more variety and depth.

    • “The medieval atmosphere is one of the best I've ever seen, with beautifully designed scenarios, vistas, and soundtrack.”
    • “The music kept me on the edge of my seat even in passages that took quite some waiting.”
    • “Great art and music, and pay attention to the chitchat of the guards; it reveals a lot about the story.”
    • “A lot of the sounds and some of the animations seem like placeholders as well as the music.”
    • “My only two complaints would be the repetitive broody music and equally repetitive level design.”
    • “The soundtrack could be a lot more developed; I've heard so much great stuff from indie soundtracks lately that this seeming endless loop of the first few notes of 'Scarborough Fair' gets old quickly.”
  • atmosphere21 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautifully designed medieval settings, captivating visuals, and immersive soundtracks, often drawing comparisons to titles like Skyrim and Dishonored. While many players appreciate the game's aesthetic and mood, some note that the gameplay can feel repetitive despite the strong atmospheric elements. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

    • “The medieval atmosphere is one of the best I've ever seen, with beautifully designed scenarios, vistas, and soundtrack.”
    • “Beautifully rendered and highly atmospheric setting.”
    • “From one gamer to others, Shadwen is an awesome experience if stealth and ominous storylines are your thing. I highly suggest this game with its captivating storyline and great atmosphere and breathtaking visuals!”
    • “But in the atmosphere, they take some elements from Trine, like the Zoya hook.”
    • “-fair 'medieval' atmosphere.”
  • humor17 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its janky physics and absurd situations, such as the protagonist's clumsy pathfinding and the comedic interactions with NPCs. Players find enjoyment in the game's funny bugs and the ridiculous scenarios that arise, like using objects to distract guards or the protagonist's antics while grappling. Overall, the humor is a significant highlight, making for a fun and entertaining experience.

    • “Lily’s pathfinding is sometimes hilarious when she wanders straight through enemy sight lines that somehow don’t register her, while at other times refusing to move from cover to cover when the opportunity presents itself.”
    • “And it's a hilarious concept that your badass assassin would be completely defeated by the first door - without the presence of a little girl to pull a lever.”
    • “Watching her abruptly bumping into guards over and over again only to rush back to her previous hiding spot in panic was totally hilarious.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly when employing non-lethal strategies or managing AI companions. Many reviews highlight that the crafting system and certain puzzles contribute to this sense of monotony, making the gameplay feel drawn out without significant rewards. While some enjoy the initial fun, the experience tends to become frustrating as the game progresses.

    • “The methods for making this run work did start to get a bit repetitive and at times even fairly tedious through the back portion of the game, though I did enjoy the harder difficulty of the last level.”
    • “It's very tedious and you don't get to use most items in the game, because getting materials to craft them is even more tedious and you don't win much doing that anyway.”
    • “This game is fun for the first couple of levels but slowly starts getting more tedious and tedious.”
  • replayability15 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed among reviewers; some appreciate the potential for multiple playthroughs through different strategies and achievement hunting, while others find it limited due to its short length and repetitive elements. Overall, it offers moderate replay value, particularly for those who enjoy experimenting with various gameplay styles or pursuing achievements, but may not appeal to everyone.

    • “Replayability is good, since there are a lot of challenge routes you can come up with very easily (such as killing all enemies but not letting Lilly see any).”
    • “Considering it does have moderate replay value, the $5 price tag was perfect.”
    • “Seriously, Shadwen may be lacking polish and a bit short, but it's very fun and has plenty of replay value.”
    • “Replayability in this game is a no for myself, because there are too many annoyances for me to want to achievement hunt in this game.”
    • “Conclusion: great & unique gameplay with lack of story or replay value.”
    • “Tl;dr: solid stealth-puzzle hybrid, recommended on sale due to short length and little replay value.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its complex narrative and character interactions, which evoke feelings of guilt and empathy, particularly during moments of violence. Players experience a unique emotional twist as they navigate the storyline, forming connections between characters like Lily and Shadwen, while ambient dialogues enhance the emotional weight of decisions. However, some players feel that the lack of background on the protagonist diminishes the impact of their choices.

    • “Provides a unique emotional twist; I never enjoy gratuitous violence in games, but I find myself feeling guilty on another level.”
    • “By doing so, the game will tell a very touching story and during the course of the game, Lily and Shadwen will become friends.”
    • “The guard conversations occasionally made me feel bad about killing them.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game's optimization is mixed; while it performs well on high-spec systems and runs smoothly without major bugs, it struggles on low-spec PCs and features graphics that are less polished compared to more modern titles. Overall, users note that it is not fully optimized for all hardware configurations.

    • “Performance-wise, this game scales way up and looks great.”
    • “Great optimization.”
    • “Graphics are subpar compared to more modern and polished games, but no major bugs and it runs smoothly.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for being simplistic and lacking depth, with interactions between the main characters, Shadwen and Lily, feeling two-dimensional and offering little growth or complexity. While Shadwen's design is appreciated, the overall narrative fails to provide meaningful character progression.

    • “Shadwen as a character has a cool character design.”
    • “So far, the character development and dialogue between Lily and Shadwen feels a bit simplistic and two-dimensional.”
    • “There is zero character development.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The game features a straightforward monetization model with no microtransactions or downloadable content (DLC), providing players with a complete experience without additional costs.

    • “No microtransactions, no DLCs, or anything else.”
    • “The game offers a complete experience without any additional costs.”
    • “I appreciate that there are no paywalls or hidden fees.”
    • “The game is completely free of microtransactions, DLCs, or any additional costs.”
    • “I appreciate that there are no hidden fees or paywalls in this game.”
    • “It's refreshing to see a game that doesn't rely on monetization tactics to keep players engaged.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

54% average critic score

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Play time

11hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
5-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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