Разработчик: Frozenbyte
Описание
Поддерживаемые языки: english
Системные требования
Windows
Рекомендуемые: Процессор 2.0 ГГц, 512 МБ RAM, GeForce FX 5900 Ultra или ATi Radeon 9500 Pro (и выше)
* Обратите внимание, что Shadowgrounds несовместим с видеокартами GeForce 4 MX.
Mac
- OS: Mac OS X 10.6.5 or newer - Unfortunately OS X 10.9 or newer NOT supported
- Processor: Intel Mac
- Memory: 1 GB RAM
- Hard Disk Space: 1GB
- Video Card: : OpenGL 2.0 compatible video card with 256 MB shared or dedicated RAM (ATI or NVIDIA)*
- DirectX®: 9.0
- Additional: Keyboard+mouse or Keyboard+trackpad
- *Please be advised that the game does not run on Intel graphics solutions (such as Macbooks from 2006-2008 and the new MacBook Pro 13" models from 2011). The game does run on most Macs from 2009 onwards that have a distinct graphics chip (such as those with NVIDIA GeForce 9400M but graphics details need to be turned down for smooth gameplay).
Отзывы пользователей
Shadowgrounds – Nostalgia with a Side of Chaos
Game Title: Shadowgrounds
Developer/Publisher: Frozenbyte
Release Date: May 8, 2006
Platforms: PC
Genre: Top-Down Shooter
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Introduction – A Frostpaw’s Perspective
Greetings, my fellow fluff enthusiasts! I am Kiba Snowpaw, Alpha Ice Wolf of the frozen world HowlStrom. With 38 winters of gaming and over 5,000 titles under my fur, I’m here to share my impressions of Shadowgrounds. This review is based on fuzzy memories of my limited playtime, but I’ll dig deep into the icy archives of my brain to provide an honest and thorough critique.
What struck me about Shadowgrounds was its resemblance to classics like Alien Breed, blending top-down action with survival mechanics. While I didn’t play it as much as I should have, the little time I spent felt like a throwback to simpler yet satisfying gaming days. Let’s dissect this title from snout to tail and see if it deserves a revisit.
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Basic Plot Summary – The Howls in the Dark
Set on Ganymede, one of Jupiter’s moons, Shadowgrounds pits players against hordes of alien creatures. You play as Wesley Tyler, a mechanic turned unlikely hero after a series of catastrophic events. The story involves power outages, alien infestations, and survival against overwhelming odds.
The narrative isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s serviceable. It exists to frame the action and give you a reason to shoot aliens, which is exactly what you came for. It has that B-movie charm, complete with cheesy dialogue and plot beats you can see coming from a mile away—perfect for those who appreciate campy sci-fi.
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Originality – A Familiar Pawprint
Shadowgrounds doesn’t stray far from its inspirations, echoing games like Alien Breed and Crusader: No Remorse. The gameplay focuses on top-down shooting, environmental destruction, and weapon upgrades. While it doesn’t revolutionize the genre, it does polish the formula with fun mechanics and atmospheric design.
What sets it apart is its use of lighting as a gameplay element. Shadows and darkness play a significant role, forcing you to rely on a flashlight to navigate and reveal hidden threats. It’s a clever touch that adds tension to an otherwise straightforward shooter.
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The Studio – Frozenbyte’s Early Days
Before bringing us the beloved Trine series, Frozenbyte made their mark with Shadowgrounds. This was their first major title, showcasing their talent for creating atmospheric worlds. Despite its limited budget and occasional rough edges, Shadowgrounds remains a testament to the studio’s potential.
Frozenbyte’s later successes in environmental storytelling and co-op gameplay can be traced back to the foundations laid here. Shadowgrounds feels like a prototype for the studio’s future brilliance, making it a fascinating piece of gaming history.
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Gameplay Mechanics – Simple, Yet Savage
1. Combat and Controls:
The core gameplay revolves around blasting aliens with an array of weapons. The controls are intuitive, with WASD movement and mouse aiming, allowing for smooth, fast-paced action.
- Weapon Variety: From flamethrowers to railguns, the arsenal is diverse and satisfying.
- Upgrades: Each weapon has upgrade paths that significantly enhance their utility, from increased damage to alternate firing modes.
- Enemy Behavior: Aliens react differently to weapons and light, adding a layer of strategy to encounters.
2. Environmental Interaction:
One of the game’s strengths is its destructible environments. You can shatter glass, topple furniture, and blow up barrels to your advantage. Combined with dynamic lighting, this creates a sense of immersion that few games of its time achieved.
3. Difficulty and Progression:
The game is challenging but fair, with limited respawns adding tension. However, the lack of mid-level saves can be frustrating, forcing you to restart entire missions if you quit midway.
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Character Development – Aliens vs. Mechanic
The characters in Shadowgrounds are serviceable at best. Wesley Tyler is a gruff, no-nonsense protagonist with a tragic backstory, but his development is minimal. Supporting characters exist mainly to give you objectives or die in dramatic fashion.
This lack of depth isn’t a dealbreaker, as the game focuses more on action than storytelling. Still, a bit more personality could have elevated the experience.
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Impact and Legacy – A Hidden Gem
Shadowgrounds didn’t make a huge splash upon release, but it has since gained a cult following. Its atmospheric design, fun combat, and unique lighting mechanics make it a standout in the top-down shooter genre. While it may not hold up against modern titles, it’s a worthwhile experience for fans of retro-style games.
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Praise and Critique – Fur and Frost
What I Loved:
- Atmospheric lighting that adds tension and immersion.
- Satisfying weapon variety and upgrades.
- Destructible environments that enhance combat.
- Nostalgic, old-school gameplay.
What I Didn’t Love:
- Lack of mid-level saves, leading to frustration.
- Wooden voice acting and bland characters.
- Repetitive mission design.
[*] Outdated graphics that show the game’s age.
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Conclusion – A Howling Recommendation
Shadowgrounds is a flawed but enjoyable game that scratches the itch for old-school alien-shooting action. Its unique use of lighting and destructible environments set it apart, even if its story and characters fall short.
For fans of Alien Breed or Alien Swarm, this is a hidden gem worth revisiting. If you’re looking for a polished, modern experience, you might want to howl elsewhere.
Verdict: 7/10 – A fun throwback for those who can appreciate its icy charm. 🐺
This game surprised me. Definitely worth $1 on sale. Took about 6 hours to complete and it is somewhat repetitive but the cheesy dialog makes up for anything lacking. Played with a ps4 controller using most popular community key bindings. Can't wait to try the second one!!
Ignore the haters. This game came out a long time ago when Steam was first turning into its own thing. Games like this really made Steam stand out as a place that would feature a wide variety of high quality games that you didn't have to buy a physical copy of. For the technology at the time, it's rather excellent. The voice acting was good and inspiring. It was very memorable if I am here decades later finally completing it.
it's ok. no story to talk about, but it's a quick, mostly fun, romp
Really good top down shooter.
Pros:
- The weapon upgrades really make it work
- Good pacing and escalation
- Gameplay does one thing only (shooting), but does it well
Cons:
- Need to edit options to full on widescreen
- Needs 3rd person and flashlight mod to remove tediom
Fun Shooter. Rund in my N100 perfectly.
For me, Shadowgrounds was a nostalgia trip even though I never actually played Shadowgrounds back in the day. It's like a bunch the good parts from early 2000s shooters rolled into one game. That might not be everyone's cup of tea, another reviewer called it generic and yeah, that's probably accurate, but at its core it's a fun game.
Serviceable experience and reasonable price in a genre without a lot of other options.
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Дополнительная информация
| Разработчик | Frozenbyte |
| Платформы | Windows, Mac |
| Ограничение возраста | Нет |
| Дата релиза | 15.01.2025 |
| Metacritic | 74 |
| Отзывы пользователей | 81% положительных (538) |