Shadow Warrior has always been a weird one in the FPS genre. The general rule is not to bring a knife to a gunfight. So, how to fix this? Bring a katana, of course, or at least that’s what the protagonist of Shadow Warrior has been doing for the last two entries. I like these kinds of games, but it has been hit-and-miss with the franchise. So, has this problem been fixed with part 3? Let’s find out. Kind reminder – this is a very graphic 18+ game. If you can’t stand blood or other gory pictures. Please don’t read this review due to sensitive content.
Story
Oke, before we dive into the gameplay, let’s talk about the story of Shadow Warrior 3 first!
Sometime after Lo Wang accidentally released an ancient dragon, global civilization has been almost wiped out due to the dragon’s presence and the demonic beings that overrun the world. Wang has become a recluse, wallowing in depression due to his failure to defeat the dragon. Wang’s former nemesis, Orochi Zilla, convinces him to continue fighting. The two of them seek out Motoko, a witch who knows of a way to defeat the dragon using the residual energy in Hoji’s mask. Amidst Motoko’s ritual, Hoji is revived, prompting Wang to disrupt the ritual to save his friend. Hoji first asks Wang to help restore his physical body, then guides him toward a contraption called a “Chi cannon,” which supposedly has enough power to destroy the dragon.
General disclaimer; The story, acting, and writing are not top-tier. I enjoy this kind of story writing, but many people complain that it is just a big string of pop-cultural references and jokes. And yes, it might be one of the most pointless stories I’ve ever seen in a game – but I like games with a pointless story. It’s not a straight-up Call of Duty shooter; it’s Shadow Warrior. You don’t play Borderlands for the serious cultural tones, do you? I don’t play Shadow Warrior for its story but for its fast-paced gameplay elements.
Gameplay
- New Game Plus – which brings with it additional challenges, weapons skins, and rewards
- Survival Mode, allowing you to put your skills to the test against waves of incoming enemies
- A new hero game modifier offering an even more significant challenge
- Chapter select for rapid replayability
- Hardcore Difficulty – the most intensely punishing version of Shadow Warrior yet
But is this enough to justify the Shadow Warrior’s name? It depends on what you classify as a Shadow Warriors game.
Food for thought
A general complaint is that Shadow Warrior 3 is a short game. To be fair, its a 4-6 hour game, and while I don’t believe that a game’s value should be deeply connected to its playtime, especially if it has some replayability, this is not a game that has purposefully designed replayability beyond multiple difficulties and a new game+ which came post-launch. Luckily for those reading this review, the game is available at Gamepass.
But Nick, it’s nothing like the previous games! Correct. And Shadow Warrior 2 (which I liked) was nothing like the first game (which was one interesting game). And none of these games have been anything like the original Shadow Warrior game made on the Build Engine. I liked Shadow Warrior 2, and I wouldn’t mind a sequel to that kind of game but bear in mind this series has shaken things up with every entry. Yes, it plays and breathes DOOM Eternal. Is that a bad thing? In 1993 when the original Doom game came out, every FPS game for years after it was called a Doom clone, including the original Shadow Warrior. Something can take a formula, do something with it, and still be a good game. Look at the Metroidvania genre, which is made of copying two other game styles and mashing them with a potato to make Mashed Potato-Vanias (sorry, I’m hungry).
Everything you’ve ever seen, heard, or played is in some way iterative of at least one other thing; that’s why we have genres. Shadow Warrior 3 takes a lot from DOOM Eternal, but I think it differentiates itself enough through a melee weapon, a unique art style, and by just being simpler than DOOM Eternal. So if someone wanted to play DOOM Eternal for the first time, they could play this first and be eased into this kind of game better than DOOM Eternal does.
Conclusion
So, are you looking for a fast-paced action shooter with many jokes and pop-cultural references? Then Shadow Warrior 3 Definitive Edition might be up your alley. If you can’t stand these things, you might be better off with DOOM Eternal or Borderlands (if you’re looking for the Looter-shooter RPG element). I had a lot of fun with Shadow Warrior 3 Definitive Edition, and you can also take my food for thought into consideration. Now I’m off to make something to eat.
