Have you ever wanted to be a ninja? What about a chain-smoking ninja? Well you’re about to have that chance. 3DRealms has re-released the classic Shadow Warrior as a remastered title with improved graphics.
Like the classic Redux version that was released recently, the remastered version requires little thinking on the player’s behalf to actually enjoy it. As the outrageously funny hero who likes to spout one-liners as often as he smokes, your mission is to acquire the legendary blade of limitless power from your evil employer.
The twitch-style gameplay has you chopping up endless droves of enemies as they materialize out of thin air. You can use your trusty katana blade to kill your foes or use the variety of melee weapons available throughout the game. You can even dual-wield handguns if that is your style.
You have the freedom to dismember, decapitate and even turn your enemies into piles of bloody pulp. There are countless ways to kill your enemies; you can even use the available environmental hazards to injure, maim and kill your adversaries. The possibilities available are endless.
Much like a role-playing game, there is an option to customize your character’s skills and talents. This allows you to tailor the main character to your own specifications. As you learn different skills, your character will acquire a new tattoo on his body. And since each skill is represented by a tattoo, they will all eventually resemble a beautiful piece of artwork. Additionally, you can use in-game currency or ‘Karma’ to purchase skills and upgrade weapons.
The game utilizes a tremendous amount of narration. Everything from the cutscenes to the game itself is full of professional voice acting. There isn’t a single moment while playing when you feel disconnected from the experience or the story. In fact, Shadow warrior does an incredible job of immersing you in its environments.
Gamers who purchase Shadow Warrior will receive an additional standalone expansion called Viscera Cleanup Detail. This unique crossover from the actual game is filled with mini-games and additional content; it will extend the replay value of Shadow Warrior long after you have defeated the main campaign.
Now that Shadow Warrior has been remastered in HD, I have a sneaky suspicion that we might see a few more of these ‘remastered’ classics in the future. And why not? There are plenty of classic FPS just waiting to make their HD debut on Steam.
James ‘Daripp3r’ Pittaro
Platform: PC
System Requirements
Minimum:
OS: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8
Processor: 2.4 GHz Dual Core Processor or higher
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 3870/NVIDIA 8800 GT or better
DirectX: Version 9.0c
Hard Drive: 8 GB available space
Additional Notes: An unabashed love of katanas is preferable.
Developer: Flying Wild Hog
Publisher: Devolver Digital
ESRB: N/A
Price: $39.99
Shadow Warrior’s Official Website
| Review Score | |
|---|---|
| Graphics |   |
| Shadow Warrior is simply gorgeous. | |
| Sound | |
| The in-game narration is full of charm and wit. | |
| Gameplay | |
| Classic twitch-style gameplay at its finest. | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Shadow Warrior delivers a fast-paced retro experience that fans of the FPS genre should experience. | |
