My memories of my first playthrough of Shadow of the Damned are vivid, mostly as I didn’t particularly enjoy it. Perhaps it was my recent transition to Xbox, and the struggles I faced adapting to the controller (an issue that persists today when I attempt to use a PlayStation controller).
Yet since the original game’s release in 2011, I’ve honed my skills with the Xbox controller and so with the arrival of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered, I’m ready for a rematch.
Developed by Grasshopper Manufacture and NetEase Games, this remake has landed on consoles, and I’ve had the opportunity to dive back into the underworld. Join me as we blast some demons in the face…
Let’s begin with the game’s presentation. While not drastically different from the original, the remaster offers a noticeable improvement. The visuals are smoother and less jerky, which significantly enhances the combat experience. The character designs, particularly our hero Garcia Hotspur and the demonic adversaries, remain visually striking. Johnson, Garcia’s witty sidekick, also receives a welcome visual upgrade. And from there the hellish landscape is effectively realised, and the smooth animations, despite a few rough edges that remain, contribute to a visually pleasing experience.
The third-person, over-the-shoulder perspective provides a solid and immersive view of the underworld, with the camera offering ample freedom to take in the sights. However, sometimes it’s best not to look too closely!
The sound design is another highlight. The voice acting is top-notch, and the banter between Garcia and Johnson is both amusing and laden with sexual innuendo. Seriously, it’s like peering into the mind of a teenage boy! The rest of the audio is equally impressive, with distinct sounds for each of Johnson’s weapon transformations and satisfying shrieks from the demons as they succumb to your firepower. Overall, this is a commendable remaster of an already visually and aurally engaging game.
The story, with Suda51 as executive producer, is as unconventional as one might expect. We play as Garcia Hotspur, a demon hunter partnered with Johnson, a demon with a conscience, on a mission to eradicate their demonic brethren. After a successful mission, Garcia returns home to find his girlfriend has tragically taken her own life, and a powerful demon has arrived to claim her soul. Naturally, Garcia isn’t keen on this arrangement. After a brief scuffle, the demon escapes back to the underworld, with Garcia in hot pursuit. Upon arriving in the underworld, Garcia must navigate its treacherous landscape and reach the demon’s castle for a final showdown. It’s a wild ride, filled with bizarre encounters and unexpected twists.
The core gameplay is that of a third-person shooter with a healthy dose of exploration. The underworld is littered with intriguing details and hidden lore, from explanations about upcoming bosses to tales of underworld celebrities. Johnson even reads aloud any stories you discover, which, while more adult in nature than your average fairy tale, are nonetheless entertaining.
Johnson, our demonic companion, is a valuable asset. He can transform into various firearms, each with unique properties. As he grows stronger, he unlocks new weapon forms and abilities. Light is the bane of demons in this underworld, and they strive to contain it within barrels. Some enemies can even summon darkness or extinguish the goat-head torches that become your beacons of safety. Certain demons are shrouded in darkness, rendering them invulnerable until the darkness is dispelled. Fortunately, Johnson’s light shots can remove the darkness, freeze regular enemies, and relight extinguished torches. However, some encounters and puzzles require strategic use of darkness, making the gameplay more dynamic.
The gunplay is satisfying, and the puzzles are well-designed and challenging without being frustrating. It all means that the overall experience of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is consistently enjoyable. Shooting demons, switching between Johnson’s weapon forms, and figuring out how to exploit boss weaknesses all contribute to the fun.
If you appreciate mature-themed shooters, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered might be right up your alley, but it’s definitely not for younger gamers.
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered Unleashes Hellish Action on Modern Platforms – https://www.thexboxhub.com/shadows-of-the-damned-hella-remastered-unleashes-hellish-action-on-modern-platforms/
Buy Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/shadows-of-the-damned-hella-remastered/9ng837368mt7
