Machine-gun-wielding ninjas against corporations... and demons. Shadow Warrior Review
"Ninjas know no fear"
Shadow Warrior is a shining example of the boomer shooters released in the late 90s. It represented the pinnacle of the Build engine's evolution, combining the proven foundation of Duke Nukem 3D with new technologies that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in 2.5D shooters, emphasizing complex, multi-story, and interactive levels. Shadow Warrior was the last significant game released with this technology and format.
"You should kill all business associate."
The plot of Shadow Warrior is presented... well, it's not presented. The game has virtually no cinematics or text explanations. Google, however, says that explanations are provided during loading times between levels. On modern machines, Shadow Warrior loads so quickly that I didn't even notice there were any loading screens. So, I turned to the internet to find out the plot. The protagonist, Lo Wang, worked as a bodyguard for the powerful corporation Zilla Enterprises. When he learns that the company's boss (Master Zilla) has made a deal with demons from the Dark World to seize power, Wang quits. Zilla sends monsters after him and kills the hero's old mentor—after which Lo Wang declares war on the corporation and the demons.
"That's no ordinary wang"
Lo Wang is your typical dad, only with an сheap-ass AliExpress katana. He punches, shoots, and makes cringe-worthy jokes. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I find these jokes amusing. 3D Realms didn't deliver story-driven cinematics, but at least they voiced the main character. Throughout your quest for revenge, you'll hear the voice of an old Japanese man with an accent, although the art will create a completely different impression. Nevertheless, the character has personality and a distinct look. He's not quite up to Duke Nukem, but he's still a credit.
"Man trapped in pantry has ass in jam"
In Shadow Warrior, each level is a hodgepodge of "rooms" of varying degrees of interest. All of them, of course, are united by a single theme: Japan. You'll be able to kill demons both in the city and in the mountains and forests, but I can't say I remembered even a couple of locations. All the levels are bland, uninspired, and, most importantly, confusing. I had to consult guides more times than I would have liked. In the levels, you not only have to find your way around but also collect keys, which are hidden in the best traditions of classic Doom. One of the unlocking devices was hidden in a toilet behind a false door, which (to me personally) wasn't obvious. In one level, you had to shoot a tank at a wall six times (yes, there are vehicles here too). I don't know why they had to confuse players like that, but apparently it's a busido.
"Having sex is like playing bridge, If you don't have a good partner, you better have a good hand."
Talking about the shooting, I'll say that if you've played even one similar game, it's as if you've played them all. The main differences here are the somewhat useful close-combat weapons and the varied weaponry. The katana kills faster than almost all firearms. There are plenty of weapons, all of which have received alternate fire, as well as grenades and the typical additional power-ups. My main weapons for eliminating demonic corporations were dual Uzis and a shotgun. Shadow Warrior also features vehicles, which allow you to eliminate enemies much faster. Every level you encounter a tank or a boat with a machine gun, which adds a bit of variety to your everyday shooting.
"There is much death in future"
You have to shoot not only at shirtless Oni with guns, but also at all sorts of gorillas, hornets, girls in harnesses with crossbows, and their variations. Fortunately, our Japanese hero is open-minded and shoots everyone with great relish. There aren't many enemies here, but they are more deadly than you might initially think. Kamikazes will easily knock off more than half your health, and a large crowd will shoot you down in the blink of an eye. The most vile enemies are the schizophrenic hornets, who sometimes want to sting you, then fly to the other side of the room. However, there's no problem a rocket launcher can't solve.
"Whoa, must be American made!"
There are a few other shortcomings in the game that caught my eye. No matter how much I play, I can't understand the blast radius of rocket launchers or grenades. The locations don't allow for long-range shooting, and up close you take significant damage. Another nitpick is the fall damage from short distances, which makes it feel like Lo Wang could fall to his death if he jumps off a stool. There are moments in the game that can completely ruin your progress if you fail to save. Overall, it feels like the game needed some polish.
"It is better to have loved and lost than to have loved and got syphilis."
Shadow Warrior is, for me, the worst game in this line of shooters. It's adrenaline-pumping, but not like Doom. It's steeped in Japanese atmosphere, but not as European as Blood. There are humorous moments, but Duke Nukem 3D is a cut above. So, Shadow Warrior is an extremely average game with confusing locations and a broken pacing, one that doesn't really make you want to return. It's a shame.
