Shadow Warrior 2

1. Sholva

   Oct 2, 2019

   10

   Shadow Warrior is one of the best shooters that released in 2016, simply put.
   
   For starters, the game is one of the most well optimizedShadow Warrior is one of the best shooters that released in 2016, simply put.
   
   For starters, the game is one of the most well optimized titles from that year, I tested this with my 4690K and both my GTX 770 and 1070, and I could achieve more than 60 FPS with both setups and a decent image quality overall; the game scales well down to the minimum spec hardware, that's for sure, and then runs amazingly well on more powerful PCs.
   
   Graphically it has all the options and settings that a proper PC game should have and are within the engine's specs, it even has HDR support (still not too common in 2016) and a new NVIDIA peripheral resolution rendering technique called Multi-res Shading, which makes the peripheral section of the screen to render at a lower resolution, thus giving us extra performance at no noticeable difference because it's on the peripheral region and our brains won't notice it as much as the things we're looking at directly. Clever, and it works really well, indeed.
   
   When it comes to sound assets, I can't find any issues either, the game sounds great, most weapons have a different sound from each other, they sound like they're the real deal and they're meant to destroy our enemies into a million pieces, that's what we want, and the music is amazing too with some nice tracks now and then, especially for important moments like the boss fights.
   
   Gameplay is where the game is at its best though, it's amazing, this is a very, very fast paced shooter where you'll be using the DASH key a lot, both in and out of combat, but it really shines in combat, it's like a dance of death and carnage if you manage to master the use of the dash key and its different movement combinations and aerial tricks you can perform. Also, just like it happens with DOOM, you need to keep switching weapons in a fight, to be able to deal with different types of enemies and their different elemental resistances. I've read some people complain about bullet-sponge enemies but I've finished the game on HARD and there's always a way to quickly deal with these so called "sponges" and that's by carrying a proper weapon with the correct element imbued to it, it's simple.
   
   Furthermore, some people seem to not even use their CHI for anything but healing, that's wrong too, Chi powers can help you bring down some enemies, and even deal with groups in a more efficient way; the game is all about mastering all the ninja arts Lo Wang is capable of, and not just running around with a shotgun: it can be done but it's not what the whole game has to offer, so keep that in mind, it gets deeper than that, believe me.
   
   Now, the controversial part of this game is clearly the LOOT system and its departure from the previous games, especially from the 2013 reboot of the series. This game has loot, like a Borderlands game but not to that extreme extent though, as in you won't be looting a gazillion weapons every level, like it happens in Borderlands, but you surely get a lot of upgrade items to insert in your weapons, armor, etc. Many of these are worthless at first and you should sell most of them, until you reach a point in the game where the forge is open to you and then you can fuse these items into higher quality ones.
   
   But some people don't like this departure from the traditional, linear, design, that's alright but we have to keep in mind the previous title is also a very decent game on its own, a proper remake of a crazy first person shooter from the 90's. What Shadow Warrior 2 offers is more of that craziness but under a new less linear format, with free roam options and of course cooperative multiplayer, which are great additions to the original formula.
   
   The gore and violence are increased a lot in this sequel too, and the special effects look amazing, this game has so much going on the screen at any given time, in combat, that it's amazing how well it runs. Also...some of the smoke and fog effects are one of the best I've ever seen for this type of game, especially for 2016, and even today.
   
   My final verdict for this game is: if you like fast paced, old school style shooters with cheesy humor, over the top violence and cool looking enemies and absurdly over powered weapons...get this game, the price on release was just right for what this game offers (took me 30 hours to finish the game on Hard difficulty in single player, and then it has coop and New Game Plus too), and today is quite often on sale (it was even free in GOG at some point, if I remember correctly). It's worth the money for the amount of fun I've had and I'll keep having with it in the future, but it's not exactly the same as the previous title from 2013 as I mentioned.
   
   Still, as a First Person Shooter fan, this game was one of my favorites for 2016, along with DOOM. A very solid 10 because it does a lot of things that other FPS don't, and then what the others do, Shadow Warrior 2 just...does quite well xD. As a fan of these types of games, for me it's a 10.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
2. nobelson

   Oct 15, 2016

   10

   Excellent performance, excellent movement, excellent combat.
   
   I'd imagine it'll get repetitive since there's a heavy emphasis on collectingExcellent performance, excellent movement, excellent combat.
   
   I'd imagine it'll get repetitive since there's a heavy emphasis on collecting loot, but I will enjoy this for a long time.… Expand

   • 7 of 14 users found this helpful
4. Come_on_son

   Oct 14, 2016

   10

   Game looks amazing I would recomend to anybody even if you may not like shooters because its so much more! You can wield a variety of swordsGame looks amazing I would recomend to anybody even if you may not like shooters because its so much more! You can wield a variety of swords and guns. It is a reboot of a 90s pc game that blends the best of old genres on better hardware. Even the first game was great from 2013, this one just became a low key, goty possibly. So first off... Graphics are great! Very high fps! Funny, crude humor that most video games dont use! Demons! Rpg! Good music! Story is ok! Acting is good! Crafting! Variety of landscape! Unigue guns and weapons! Bright colors! Powers! 2-4 player Co-op! And best of all the gameplay is so fun and fluid, switching between favorites in your arsenal is very fast and combat is an over the top rampage that doesnt get boring or repetive. This is a fast paced, action-packed revenge mission with a badass protaganist. Lo Wang.… Expand

   • 22 of 37 users found this helpful
5. ChosenUndead99

   Apr 29, 2018

   8

   Fun action game that has lots of cool loot to collect. Main missions are very enjoyable with funny dialogue throughout. Lots of side missionsFun action game that has lots of cool loot to collect. Main missions are very enjoyable with funny dialogue throughout. Lots of side missions to play too which result in a great content filled game!… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. jelikey

   Apr 17, 2022

   7

   Shadow Warrior 2's enjoyable combat and RPG elements are too often drowned in a mixture of graphically terrible color arrangement, inefficientShadow Warrior 2's enjoyable combat and RPG elements are too often drowned in a mixture of graphically terrible color arrangement, inefficient UI design, repetitive missions and a disappointing story full of stale dick jokes.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
7. Phasmatis

   Oct 21, 2016

   6

   Shadow Warrior 2 is a game that excelled with its combat that paired up with a raunchy set of humor for a ride that despite its numerousShadow Warrior 2 is a game that excelled with its combat that paired up with a raunchy set of humor for a ride that despite its numerous shortcomings was an enjoyable game. The majority of my enjoyment stemmed from the fast paced and visceral combat as I sliced my way through robots, demons, and the Yakuza in their multitude of forms. You'd think everything is fine then, but outside the combat and the accompanied visuals everything was just lackluster at the best of times.
   
   Each character in the game struggled to be anything more than two dimensional. Unlike the first game no one had any character development, Wang himself has seemingly reverted back to how he was before the beginning of the first game dropping only raunchy jokes and arguing with Kamiko. To the games credit the jokes were enjoyable from start to finish, but a poor substitute for actual character development.
   
   Resting solely on virtue signally the story never warms up nor is remember able for anything other than the women are all victims of men, and a bad cliff hanger that the game itself explained would be an extremely bad idea but is done because, you go girl.
   
   Gorgeous looking yet shallow levels plague the game as well. Procedurally generation with only a handful of set pieces means you will within 4-5 missions have seen most of what is to be seen. Fortunately the game focuses on combat and fills these levels with respawning but a lovely variety of enemies that you'll have a workable slew of weapons and powers to slice, dice and murder the hell out of with.
   
   The Good
   -Fast Paced Combat
   -Plenty of enemies to fight
   -Useful Powers
   -All play styles are plausible
   -Best Menu Music Ever
   -Good Sound Track
   -Visuals (not counting levels)
   -No Denuvo
   
   The Bad
   -Game is easy even on Insane
   -No replay value
   -Bad Multiplayer connectivity (as of review)
   -Virtue signaling story
   -horrible cliff hanger ending
   -Procedurally generated levels have no staying power and become incredibly dull fast
   -Lack luster boss
   -Bullet sponge enhanced (read larger) enemies
   -Random Spawning enemies during a fight
   -Cheap Deaths
   -Have to read the lore to find out what happened (I like lore but forcing everyone to do so in order to know what is going on is a negative)… Expand

   • 8 of 13 users found this helpful
8. Cech

   May 16, 2017

   0

   АХТУНГ Мат и всё такое
   
   Я осознал то, что был не прав. Моё сознание застелила любовь к SW, прошлые части я прошёл, ну.. почти по 2 раза. ИАХТУНГ Мат и всё такое
   
   Я осознал то, что был не прав. Моё сознание застелила любовь к SW, прошлые части я прошёл, ну.. почти по 2 раза. И эта любовь + предзаказ новой, той, что я ждал сыграло свою роль.
   
   ЭТА ИГРА♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
   Тем, кто любит бордерлендс - 10/10, но я считаю бордер ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥иной
   
   Плюс - один
   Сеттинг SW и всё, что с SW связано
   
   Минусы
   - Геймплей. Я думал это из-за максимальной сложности нелепые хп бары у врагов, но нет, это бордерлендс, эти ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ уроны стволов/мечей и не менее тупые модификаторы, где в человека нужно сделать АХТУНГ#2 12+- выстрелов из подствольного гранатомёта, который по урону уступает пистолету.
   - Смерть.. в ней нет смысла: подыхай - не хочу! Вас респнут тут же где вы и упали, просто восстановят хп врагам.
   - Оптимизация - плохая, не верьте другим обзорам. Она лучше, чем у всех нынешних игр, но в соотношении картинка/фпс это всё такое же♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥как и обычно. Спасибо соснолькам за отличные игры
   - Интерфейс очень неудобный
   - ХУД можно настроить, чтобы это хотя бы внешне было SW, а не бордером, но это не отменят его механик, которые и превратили игру в♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥- Диалоги в РПГ системе этой игры прокликивать нужно через жопные кнопки, мышкой выбирать ничего нельзя/кривые хитбоксы баров. Спасибо соснолькам за отличные игры
   
   Возможно в 2019 году выйдет ps5, которая сможет конкурировать с Pentium 4 и мы сможем поиграть в нормальные игры, но во всё остальном (да и без этого) эта игра ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥олендс варриор 2… Expand

   • 1 of 9 users found this helpful

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