Shadowman

by Sega

Product Features

• Fantastic game

Product Details

• ASIN: B00002SWF8
• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,573 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

Since their inception into the realm of gaming, Shadow Man's many incarnations have suffered from boatloads of gameplay-related and graphical issues that have kept the games from truly doing the designers' expansive ideas justice. Though the Dreamcast version hits much closer to the mythical mark, several annoying issues remain, most undoubtedly due to a bad case of port-sickness. The Dreamcast's healthy innards made an easy task of handling the frame rates and resolutions, two of Shadow Man's previous incarnations' uglier issues. The Dreamcast version runs at a brisk, fluid rate, and every element in the game is notably clearer and superbly defined. The game's environments use small, tight color palettes that do very much to carry the game's mood and tone. Even considering the rather small amount of color used in any given area, it's not at all difficult to distinguish elements and objects from the environments, due to a superb job of lighting and shadow placement. My only complaint, as far as graphics go, is the actual level of detail that went into each model; while by no means an eyesore, their poly counts are rather small considering the platform. This results in some very funny-looking (and not to mention out-of-tone) characters when viewed up close. The in-game movies are almost laughable, given the blocky nature of the models and the spastic, marionette-like animation. The problem isn't so apparent when communing with nonbipedal creatures (Jaunty, the undead dwarf/snake, most notably), as their forms and motions don't really have any real-world analogues. Shadow Man's soundtrack and effects, on the other hand, are artfully executed. The rich, synthesized soundtrack seems seamlessly interwoven with ambient moans and screams. As you approach enemies, they let out inhuman shrieks, then begin to eerily howl and cry as you disintegrate them. The only thing wrong, and the factor that prevents the title from earning a higher mark, is the fact that there is often a poor transition between audio tracks, which momentarily pauses the action while the new track begins. This is very annoying, especially during busy action sequences. Shadow Man's environments are the factors that most made me mourn the game's issues, as the environments are truly a joy to traverse and explore. In addition to the corporeal world, Mike LeRoi has to traverse Deadside as his otherworldly alter ego, Shadow Man (a la Soul Reaver), to halt the apocalypse. Deadside, the spirit world according to the game's mythos, is a stark and daunting place. The landscape is scorched and blighted, its denizens are soul-hungry and vicious, and its sheer size is aptly intimidating. Unlike most adventure games, most of the world is open to exploration from the get-go, with certain areas "locked" until Shadow Man is able to harness enough power to proceed. The world is insanely huge, and there are sights to see and secrets to be uncovered in nearly every corner. The nature of the game requires you to backtrack like mad, as many individual areas are only accessible after certain items are found or abilities and powers are gained. Traversing Deadside means much jumping, shimmying, swimming, and plain old ass-hauling. A myriad of standard adventure elements are worked into the levels' designs, so you can expect to deal with the requisite amount of switch-hitting, level-pulling, and item-hounding to successfully proceed through your quest. To effectively deal with threats from this world and the next world, Mike LeRoi, aka Shadow Man, is armed to the teeth. Aside from a sizable real-world arsenal to stave off earthly threats such as alligators and hound dogs, you have a host of voodoo-powered weapons at your disposal, including "asson," a flame-spewing wand, and "baton," a soul-piercing rod. Mike/Shadow Man is also ambidextrous, meaning weapons and items can be mapped to both his right and left hands. While this feature is somewhat useful in terms of variety of assault, it's seldom possible to shoot both weapons at once, often leaving you with the feeling that the feature is largely useless. The game also has a lock-on feature that lets you target the nearest enemy and circle around it as you blast away. This is accomplished with the use of a single button, basically making it the preferred mode of combat. Overall, the controls aren't as responsive as you might like, given the game's platform elements - often, you'll find yourself stumbling onto a platform after a poorly timed and measured jump or vainly attempting to grab on to a ledge that you should be able to reach. But it must be noted that the responsiveness is much improved from the game's previous incarnations. Shadow Man for the Dreamcast is truly the only console version of the game that isn't a chore to play. While many of the elements are subpar in terms of what the platform can easily dish out, Shadow Man does have its merits. If you're one to enjoy a tangible atmosphere replete with intelligent references and somewhat disturbing themes, then this is something you should definitely check out. Granted, of course, that you're OK with ignoring some rather annoying issues.--Miguel Lopez--Copyright © 1998 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one's a gem!, December 30, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Shadowman (Video Game)

As there are a dearth of Dreamcast games in this genre, I sawthis puchase, at best, as a consolation while I patiently awaited therelease of other more promising titles. I reluctantly handed over my cash, resigned to my fate.

Boy, was I wrong. In my opinion, Shadowman is the premiere Dreamcast adventure title to date. Here's why: massive, highly detailed 3-D environments, interesting and creative level design (you'll flip the first time you see the asylum), tight control, deep story line, beautiful graphics, outstanding music and a sense of atmosphere that is well executed.

My favorite aspects of the game (other than that it's fun to play) are its size and its atmoshere. This game is enormous; you're going to get your $$ out of it. I hate to buy games that I can beat on the same day. (I always feel cheated.) Shadowman is going to take quite some time to beat, and not because it is too dificult; the learning curve is well proportioned: it isn't frustrating, but it's no cakewalk either. The other element I admire is the game's atmosphere. The music and the visuals combine to create a disturbing experience--this is not a game for children. I know, you're thinking, 'Why would I want the play a game that's disturbing'? Good Question. It's disturbing in that the storyline itself is disturbing and the atmosphere does a remarkable job of pulling you into Shadowman's world. (It's a disturbing place to visit, and you really wouldn't want to live there!) The environments are surreal, but in a believable way--there's not a hint of B-movie in this game. It's seriously disturbing, no wait, maybe it's disturbingly serious--I can't decide. It's all good in any case.

Any complaints? Two. The framerate of the game stutters when the soundtrack switches songs. Come on Akklaim, this is a Dreamcast, for pete's sake--work it out. My other gripe is how dark the game is--sometimes you can't see where the heck you're going. It's so dark that I can't even play during the daytime because I cant' see the dang screen. Admittedly, it does add to the atmosphere (playing only at night,) but it's limiting nonetheless. Fortunatley, these are minor concerns and are easily forgivable in the grand scheme of things.

In summary, if you're looking for the finest Dreamcast adventure title, look no further than Shadowman. It's a thoroughly enjoyable, thoroughly distrubing experience.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unlike anything else available for Dreamcast!, December 27, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Shadowman (Video Game)

This game, while realllly slow at first, rocks when you actually get into it and start collecting items. Game play is rather fluid, but due to it's immense size "hesitates" when loading differrent levels, switching between game play and the cinema scenes, and when switching music tracks. The soundtrack is awesome; exciting and "spooky" at the same time. Shadow Man is not for the faint of heart, or for kids. It's ESRB rating of MATURE is there for a reason. If the music doesn't get to you, then the setting will. With zombies trying to slash you with claws or hooks, firing automatic weapons, sling handfulls of "slime", or using VooDoo magic, this game has the potential to scare the hell out of you. If you survive, the ending will not disappoint you. If you don't, that ending is pretty cool as well. The only drawback (or another top selling point, depending) is that the game is LONG, and will take more than just a couple of hours to complete. Be prepared to play this game for days, and replay it forever.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't be fooled- GREAT GAME- Scary as Hell and HUGE!, February 8, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Shadowman (Video Game)

I played a little of the Playstation version that a friendbought and I was not impressed because of the bad graphics and thechoppiness- When the Dreamcast version came out, I thought it would be better- I bought it put in the disk and sat back- Too soon, I became annoyed by the horrible load times and lack of directions (I had no idea what to do)- I was disappointed but I kept playing it for a few days. Do not be fooled when you start this game! This is a great game! It starts real slow but the story develops and gets good real fast! The story freaked me out with the screams and moody music. I am not even 1/5 of the way done with the game and I am very impressed with the huge worlds, graphics, imagery and atmosphere. The creepiest part so far is when you encounter the shrines of the 5. My hats off to Acclaim for creating such a great game! - If you liked games like, Resident Evil, Silent Hill and Nightmare Creatures, You will love this gory but well made game- You WILL get lost, but keep playing, you will realize just how good this game is- 100 stars in my book and one of my all time favorite games!