As a seasoned gamer who fondly remembers the days of Xbox 360, I must say that diving back into Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered felt like a walk down memory lane with a twist of nostalgia and a sprinkle of disappointment. The game, originally released in 2011, was a breath of fresh air in its time, offering a unique blend of humor, action, and horror that was both entertaining and engaging.
Initially released in 2011, it appeared that Shadows of the Damned was destined for failure. In an era dominated by gritty first-person shooters with a strong emphasis on multiplayer modes and replay value, a single-player shooter inspired by punk rock had little chance to compete. Despite being developed by renowned creators Suda51 and Shinji Mikami, the game quickly faded from popularity, earning its reputation as a cult classic shortly after release.
There’s a twisted sense of irony that, over a decade later, this oft-forgotten, innuendo-soaked romp is poised to make a bit of a comeback as an oasis of sorts; a short but fun single-player shooter amidst a sea of endless live-service cash grabs. It’s by no means a perfect revival, and there’s bound to be some controversy over the Hella Remastered tacked onto the title, but it’s easy enough to overlook its shortcomings if you approach it with the proper perspective.
Previously, the game Shadows of the Damned has been thoroughly reviewed and discussed extensively, so there’s no need for a detailed analysis at this point. To provide a quick summary, you assume the role of Garcia Hotspur, a demon hunter known for his outrageous yet badass name, and an extensive use of innuendos. Your companion is Johnson, a wise-cracking demon sidekick who doubles as your gun and motorcycle. Together, you journey to the Underworld to rescue your kidnapped girlfriend, Paula, from Fleming, the demon lord. The game doesn’t focus on a deep narrative but rather leans into the comical aspects of horror. Also, the game has a reputation for its affection towards phallic symbols, with several references made in the early stages of play. After hearing terms like “thrusting,” “penetration,” and “one-eyed Willy” repeatedly, I stopped trying to keep track of every double entendre.
The main gameplay can essentially be described as reminiscent of the Xbox 360’s best, a sentiment expressed fondly. Although it shares many similarities with the third-person shooting style popularized by Resident Evil 4, Shadows of the Damned brings some unique elements to the table. The most notable is the interplay between light and darkness. Apart from the game’s dark visuals and mood, you’ll also encounter actual “darkness” that gradually depletes Garcia’s health. You may need to quickly find your way to the next light source or locate a goat’s head, which when hit by a light bullet, dispels the darkness. Fortunately, these light bullets are infinite, and some enemies require them to be weakened before they can be harmed with regular ammunition.
While Shadows of the Damned may seem relatively basic by today’s gaming standards, it has managed to maintain its charm and allure over time, particularly for fans seeking an unadorned shooter experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome. However, the term “Hella Remastered” can be a bit perplexing, but it suggests that there might have been some enhancement or update applied to the game.
Essentially, when they say “remaster,” it’s often not much of an upgrade, especially compared to what you might anticipate from remastered games. From what I understand, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is essentially the same game as the one released long ago, with just a few extra features. There are no significant improvements in terms of high-definition textures, redesigned assets or characters, or enhanced lighting and visual effects. In fact, judging by the installation size, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered appears to be identical to the original versions for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, except for a few new outfits for Garcia and a New Game Plus mode.
This game doesn’t have many unique features tailored for PCs, and the only thing I discovered was the ability to rearrange mouse and keyboard controls. However, this feature is managed by a separate application, not within the game itself. Unfortunately, there are no in-game menus to adjust resolution, graphics settings, or similar options. On a positive note, the game does run faster than before, but it’s limited to 62 frames per second, with some cutscenes dropping as low as 30 frames per second.
If there’s one saving grace, it’s the asking price. At a mere $25, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is well worth the price of admission, especially once you consider how it’s virtually unplayable on any other platform. The original PlayStation 3 version isn’t available digitally, and while the Xbox 360 version is backward compatible on Xbox One and Series X|S, it still requires a physical disc, which will set you back around $30.
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered Review: Final Verdict
In essence, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is often considered a minimalistic PC conversion, and it’s understandable if some players feel let down by the contents. However, if you’re seeking an uncomplicated method to experience an unusual blend of immature humor and mindless entertainment, this game is definitely worth considering without delay.
SCORE: 7.5/10
According to ComingSoon’s review guidelines, a rating of 7.5 indicates “Good.” This means it’s an enjoyable piece of entertainment that’s generally worth watching, but its appeal might not be universal and could potentially not resonate with all viewers.
Note: We received a PC copy of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered for the purpose of this review, which was tested on version 1.00.
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2024-10-25 15:11