Shadowgrounds

 PC
Shadowgrounds Image
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 220 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Shadowgrounds is an epic sci-fi game that blends addictive old school gameplay and modern technology into one big, nasty alien-battling carnage festival. The game is played from a top-down perspective that gives gamers a better view of the battlefield and allows tactical use of weapons - newShadowgrounds is an epic sci-fi game that blends addictive old school gameplay and modern technology into one big, nasty alien-battling carnage festival. The game is played from a top-down perspective that gives gamers a better view of the battlefield and allows tactical use of weapons - new tactics become useful as their arsenal is upgraded to even more destructive weapons. [Meridian4]… Expand
Buy Now
Buy on

Trailer

Play Sound
Please enter your birth date to watch this video:
You are not allowed to view this material at this time.
Shadowgrounds Official Trailer 1

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Worth Playing
    90
    With strong gameplay, outstanding design, and intense action, the game definitely fills the void left in many players by the somewhat-disappointing "Doom 3."
  2. eToychest
    85
    This is definitely a game action fans, Aliens enthusiasts, as well as players who enjoyed classic games such as Alien Syndrome – a real classic in the top-down genre – will enjoy immensely.
  3. PC Gamer
    81
    Even with its limited replay appeal and some lackluster voice acting, at $24.99, Shadowgrounds delivers a noteworthy value-to-fun ratio. [Aug 2006, p.35]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. GamingExcellence
    71
    There really isn’t a lot to this game. You run around in the darkness, you shoot things, rinse and repeat.
  5. FiringSquad
    70
    I have no desire to punish myself repeatedly trying to beat a game. On the other hand, if you do crave that kind of challenge, I cannot think of a game better suited to deliver than Shadowgrounds.
  6. Gamers' Temple
    70
    The game is best enjoyed in the same manner as it delivers its action – in short doses. As a budget title it’s not bad as a mindless alien-blasting diversion or a walk down memory lane for older gamers who grew up in the top-down view era. If you’re looking for deep immersive gameplay you won’t find it here, but it fits the bill when you’re in the mood for some quick and easy action.
  7. G4 TV
    60
    For a relatively inexpensive game available on Steam, Shadowgrounds makes for a nice diversion, especially if you have some buddies over and a few controllers to use. It’s fun solo too, but it gets repetitive quickly and even freshly upgraded weapons won’t keep your interest for long.

See all 30 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 77
  3. Negative: 16 out of 77
  1. ZEUS_GB
    Oct 24, 2006
    10
    Shadowgrounds is a 360 top down shooter like you used to get in the late 80s and earlier 90s. The game that springs to mind straight away is Shadowgrounds is a 360 top down shooter like you used to get in the late 80s and earlier 90s. The game that springs to mind straight away is the legendary Alien Breed. The graphics aren't the best in the world but for a game like this there awesome. The developers have made great use of lighting that adds really good atmosphere to the game and makes it really creepy in places. Another good use of the lighting system is the torch, some of the aliens are scared of the light and will run away but others are attracted to light. The sounds make this game creepy as well. It's not uncommon to be walking down the corridor and heard the aliens before you see them. You'll hear their sounds, you'll be checking all round you, you'll be checking the radar but all you'll see are blobs everywhere. Hehehe! The background music is really good as well. It adds atmosphere to the levels and bounding music when in a battle. The weapons in the game are the best i've seen in this type of shooter. They are well thought out and imaginative not just thrown in as an after thought like in many games nowadays. For your shooting pleasure there's a pistol, pulse rifle, shotgun, rocket launcher (what game would be complete without one?), lasergun, grenade launcher, railgun :D, electric gun, flame thrower, minigun :D. Another great thing about the weapons is the ability to upgrade them. Upgrade points are dropped by aliens after you kill them so that means the more aliens you kill the better weapons you get! This is a great budget release that really shows off what smaller developers can do.… Expand
  2. MarcelloD.
    May 19, 2006
    10
    Best top-down shooter for the money! The dark! Oh boy! The lighting, or lack thereof is amazing. Keep up the good work Steam!
  4. JamesK.
    Jul 27, 2006
    9
    The best old school games i have played in ages, made me wanting to watch aliens the film again, had more fun playing this than many of the The best old school games i have played in ages, made me wanting to watch aliens the film again, had more fun playing this than many of the new generation games (to much attention goes to looks not game play these days) this was a blast from the past that should teach for the future. Thanks for the ride.… Expand
  5. Rick
    Nov 10, 2007
    8
    I'd give it an 8. The good is it has a great soundtrack, interesting and fun weapons and enemies, decent atmosphere, lots of I'd give it an 8. The good is it has a great soundtrack, interesting and fun weapons and enemies, decent atmosphere, lots of adrenaline-pumping moments where your back's against a wall and they just keep coming. Looks great, and has fairly challenging gameplay if that's your thing. The bad isthat it has a cliche storyline, poor voiceacting and doesn't really bring much new to the table. Still, the storyline isn't what you play an arcade style shooter for, and Shadowgrounds more than delivers in fun. The voiceacting can forgiven, as it it doesn't stick out too badly and the developer isn't exactly swimming in resources, from what I've heard. Great game, defo worth a look.… Expand
  6. Captain_Chaos
    Jun 22, 2016
    7
    Reasonably entertaining top-down shooter with mediocre graphics and voice acting, but lots of fun weapons and enemies to fight. The plot getsReasonably entertaining top-down shooter with mediocre graphics and voice acting, but lots of fun weapons and enemies to fight. The plot gets pretty weird towards the end.… Expand
  7. namDa65
    Mar 11, 2012
    5
    Meh. Playing it in co-op is also a bored. These types of game should stay on flash nowadays as they do not age well. My opinion of course.Meh. Playing it in co-op is also a bored. These types of game should stay on flash nowadays as they do not age well. My opinion of course. Bland gameplay, graphics, and environments.… Expand
  8. MikeC.
    May 27, 2006
    0
    I'm sorry to say this, but this game is horrible! The gameplay is intensly dull, the controls seen uncooperaritive, and the dark I'm sorry to say this, but this game is horrible! The gameplay is intensly dull, the controls seen uncooperaritive, and the dark graphics give me a headache. Why anyone would like this game is beyond me.… Expand

See all 77 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Best PC Game of 2006
23
#23 Most Discussed PC Game of 2006
59
#59 Most Shared PC Game of 2006

Current PC Games

Full List »
93 Sektori
92 Resident Evil Requiem
91 Mixtape
91 Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
90 Lost and Found Co.
89 Rhythm Doctor
88 Mewgenics
88 Dying Light: The Beast Restored Land Definitive Edition
87 Lumines Arise
87 Cross Blitz
87 Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
87 Tombwater
87 Hermit and Pig
87 PRAGMATA
86 Diablo II: Resurrected - Reign of the Warlock
86 Perfect Tides: Station to Station
86 Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven
85 Esoteric Ebb
84 Titanium Court
68 Last Man Sitting
All Current Games »