You cannot deny Suda 51, aka Goichi Suda. You just can’t. This legend has made a number of memorable titles over the years. These include No More Heroes, Killer Is Dead and countless others. But one that tends to get the overlook treatment is Shadows of the Damned. That’s mostly EA’s fault, as the company didn’t know how to market a third-person demon shooter effectively enough. Fortunately, the game now has a second chance at life. Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is ready to haunt current platforms.
As you might guess by the title, this isn’t your usual action fare. You’re a demon hunter trying to rescue his girlfriend, and, welp, it’s easier said than done. But the journey is certainly worth it, with wild weapons and upgrades to send them packing.
The game looks better than it ever has before. Plus, of course, you have Arika Yamaoka going all out with an epic soundtrack, which still holds up. There’s even a New Game + mode, for those of you that really want to get your demon killing on.
If you didn’t like the game before, there’s very little here to convince you to return. However, if you’re like me and indulge in oddball action titles, Shadows of the Damned fits the mode. Hell, it made the mold.
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered Brings the (Demon) Pain
A game that came out 13 (!) years ago, Shadows of the Damned still holds up. That’s because of the unique narrative, which is decisively weird. Hey, we’re fine with that.
The game follows Garcia Hotspur (my new nickname, I called it) as he sets out to rescue his girlfriend. He does so with a little help, including Johnson, who doubles as his firearm. (And whatever Garcia needs, of course – even a motorcycle!) The goal is to wipe out demon forces, solve a few puzzles and, well, save the day. Duh.
While the script won’t be for everyone (it’s cheesy, of course), it definitely fits the bill for a game such as this. Plus it’s just fun as heck. The guns you’ll pick up are wildly inventive and fun to use. Not only that, but the melee combat has its moments too. Maybe not God Hand crazy, but definitely something that works in its own right.
The puzzles can be a little tedious, especially the really dark ones. But they’re solvable nevertheless, and you can move on to mowing down those monsters. I also wish something more was done with the camera. It sometimes seems too easy to overlook an enemy since it’s so close to Garcia. (Not that you can’t swivel around and cut them to shreds, but just saying.)
NetEase Games (the new publishers, doing better than EA) also added a sweet New Game + mode. As expected, this adds an extra layer of challenge to the proceedings. It’s perfect for those that wanted it the first time around, and don’t mind a hellish experience. Of course, if you prefer, you can stick to the main game and adjust your learning curve accordingly. Up to you.
Overall, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is better than ever before. It’s more of the same of the original game, so if you weren’t a fan then, you won’t be now. But those that savor a good demon-slaughtering experience like this won’t mind jumping in. Not in the least.
A Hell of a Good Time With the Presentation
Grasshopper Manufacture (Suda’s company) does remarkable work with the remaster of Shadows of the Damned.
There are some textures that can be a bit on the ugly side. But the frame rate is fantastic (at least, on the Xbox) and the bloody details are just the right level of juicy. The combat looks great (mind the zoomed-in camera) and the animations are sharp. Plus those level designs are really something. Well, the ones that aren’t so focused on puzzles, anyway.
On top of that, Arika Yamaoka’s soundtrack doesn’t miss a beat. It still rocks heavily and provides some of the best work this composer has done. Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if I added these tunes to my library soon enough. (Maybe a vinyl soundtrack, NetEase? Eh?) The sound effects are also very well done, as is the voicework. (Especially my boy, Johnson. Er, my bike, Johnson?
Again, this is Suda 51 we’re talking about. So “quirky” is definitely the word of the day here. But he’s loyal to his fans with Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered and that’s all they need to be happy. This one looks as enjoyable as it is to play.
Gimme a Hella Yeah
Do I recommend Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered? I certainly do. And why is that? Because it’s so oft-kilter and wild to play that you’re bound to have a great time with it. Its bloody combat is worth indulging, even with the tedious puzzles. And the remaster fits just about right, even with a mild bit of fuzziness. Oh, well, hell isn’t perfect, right?
Plus you have a New Game + that will keep you coming back, along with other neat extras. All that’s missing is a thumbs up from Goichi Suda himself – but you can always ask him for that online. (Who knows, he just might answer!)
Don’t forget what AC/DC once said. “Hell ain’t a bad place to be.”
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to NetEase Games for the review code! Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is available now for Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PlayStation!
Need more spooky gaming? Check out our review of RetroRealms, featuring Halloween and Ash vs. Evil Dead!
