Shadow Man

by Acclaim

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00002NDED
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: August 25, 1999
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,073 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Michael LeRoi is the zombie slave of Nettie, a powerful Voodoo priestess. Thanks to Nettie's spell casting, he is also the Shadow Man, a dark and mysterious--if unwilling--hero who protects the people of the mundane world against incursions from Deadside, the land where everyone goes upon death. Michael is not entirely unhappy with this fate. A lifetime of bad personal decisions has left him with a huge karma debt. Now, with the world in danger, he is going to get his chance to pay it off.

Shadow Man is a first-person shooter with a horror twist--instead of an ordinary weapon, you wield the Shadowgun. Your prey is a quintet of demon serial killers who plan to unleash monsters against the living world, called Liveside, ultimately bringing about the destruction of all life on earth. In the course of denying this goal, you fight monsters and collect ammunition and weapon upgrades, prowling Deadside in search of baddies.

As befits a horror game, Shadow Man is dark in tone and explicit in its visuals and language, definitely not an appropriate game for younger players. The program itself is rather unremarkable; from graphics to monsters, everything is engaging but in no way exceptional. One might have hoped that it would at least offer some scares along the way, but these are few and far between. Like most entries into the horror-game genre, this one relies on gore instead of trying to find ways to really make your skin crawl. Additionally, the subtext of Shadow Man reinforces unpleasant stereotypes of Caribbean-descended Americans, with neither Michael nor Mama Nettie representing any kind of admirable role model. --Alyx Dellamonica

Pros:

• Nonlinear play allows return to favorite levels again and again
• Lots to look at--if you like your graphics gory
• Great sound

Cons:

• Character movement is hard to control precisely
• Many battles are long and dull
• Interface is nonintuitive and clunky

Product Description

Set against the mysterious backdrop of Voodoo mythology, Shadow Man puts you in the role of Mike LeRoi, English Literature student turned hired assassin. Operating with the mephitic, seedy underworld of New Orleans, Mike has the ability to cross over at will into Deadside, where he becomes the Shadow Man.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Underrated Game Ever, May 17, 2001

By 

Lt. Wolf (AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadow Man (CD-ROM)

This is a title that I wonder why no one picked up on. True the first 2 boards were long and monotonous. But after them, I could not believe the plot that was unfolding. This was clearly the most original game I had ever played. (Okay so maybe collecting 120 items was elsewhere on N64) Anyway, I suggest that N64 owners give this a first or second chance. In additon, I have never played a game in which the sound effects and music played such an integral part of the game. This is also rated mature for a reason. Kids, be careful with this one, you'll probaly want to sleep with the light on for a month.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Underappreciated gem, February 11, 2001

By 

Benjamin Denes (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow Man (CD-ROM)

For seem reason, 'Shadowman' never got as much attention as it should have. It was the game N64 fans seemed to be wanting since the beginning - a huge world to explore with mature themes that won't insult your intelligence.

'Shadowman' is like a dark 'Legend of Zelda:Ocarina of Time', where you get to roam around a vast (and I mean vast) labrynth-like world solving puzzles and clashing with monsters. The world's (there's actually two, much like the original Zelda games) are pretty non-linear, although you'll find you'll have to solve some puzzles before moving further. The game is prettymuch a big egg-hunt, and the eggs in question wind up in some pretty difficult areas. A really challenging game that should keep you playing for hours.

The graphics are great. Gloomy, dank areas are awesome to look at. They may seem plain to begin with, but I always stress to new players not to give up: the rewards are deep into the game and well worth the ordeals. Keep your 'Resident Evil'; the Tenemant, Asylum and Subway levels are by far some of the creepiest locations of any game.

My favourite elemant, however, is the sound effects and voice-overs. 'Shadowman' has some of the most over-dramatic dialogue, but it's campy and fun. And nothing is more chilling than the legless two-headed beasts howling "Ssssssshhhadowmaaaan!"

I loved this game. Many who picked it up were turned off by some of the elements in the game (repetitive fighting was a big one) but these are just small pieces of a huge puzzle. Buy this game and immerse yourself.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From The Mouth Of A Grade 'B' Gamer, July 25, 2003

By 

J. Menesini "Johnny Squaw" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow Man (CD-ROM)

I come from the old country, arcades in the 80's, where Tempest, Joust, and Jungle Hunt reigned supreme. I purchased my N64 LOOOOONG after it was the system to have, it was cheap, I was looking for relaxing kicks. So I picked up a copy of Shadowman, discounted, vaguely remembering it when it was new on the market. Put it in, and (cliche Sound Effect) I was hooked. The game is murky as heckland. Opening cheekily with Moonlight Sonata playing underneath a 'narration' of Springheel Jack. Great cinematics, great sounds, great levels, some (the temples) are so bloody frustrating you want to whip the whole system out the door. But I kept with it, and I beat it. HA, first game since Double Dragon in the arcade, and I beat that with one bloody token. I recommend this game to non-gamers who are looking for something to dig into, with a different approach than the usual blast'em. (Gamers will say witty and snide things, scrutinizing and bla) So to hearken back to my metal roots, THIS GAME ROCKS!!! (so there)