Shadowgrounds

 PC
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 220 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 130 out of 220
  2. Mixed: 46 out of 220
  3. Negative: 44 out of 220
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  1. JoshS.
    May 6, 2006
    10
    This game is alot like CrimsonLand but a Source based engiene. This game kicks alien butt!
  2. DaysonB.
    May 9, 2006
    9
    Though not a first person shooter, the game play feels like it. The third person view from over the top isn't bad and you get use to it pretty quickly.
  3. ShawnC.
    Jul 16, 2006
    9
    That game was just plain ol' FUN! If your looking for a good old school shooter with a modern touch than this is it. Every level is entertaining.
  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 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.
  5. MustHave
    Oct 4, 2006
    9
    Found the game to be back to some of the simple basics, and yet kept me interested thoughout. Reminded me of the good old days. Worth the money!
  6. JpW.
    Apr 25, 2006
    9
    Best darkness effects I have ever experienced in a game! Gameplay is awesome! There are many aliens to kill and if that is your thing this is your game!
  7. BrandonA.
    May 19, 2006
    9
    Very enjoyable game with old-school charm. There are a wide variety of weapons and the upgrade system allows you to customize them to your own play style. Very good use of shadows with this engine. This game is simply fun. I do not understand all the complaints that it's just "a 3rd person Doom 3 clone". Doom 3 was not original, guys (it was the same as Doom 1 & 2). Doom 3 was as Very enjoyable game with old-school charm. There are a wide variety of weapons and the upgrade system allows you to customize them to your own play style. Very good use of shadows with this engine. This game is simply fun. I do not understand all the complaints that it's just "a 3rd person Doom 3 clone". Doom 3 was not original, guys (it was the same as Doom 1 & 2). Doom 3 was as cliche as video game cliches get. If anything, Shadowgrounds has more roots in Robotron than in Doom 3. Shadowgrounds is a fun and enjoyable take on a very old genre.… Expand
  8. 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!
  9. SpencerS.
    May 21, 2006
    10
    Fantastic game-play, super soundtrack, best lighting effects in any game I played this year. Mmmmm...Flamethrower... awesome weapons. Overall best game I've played in a while.
  10. Shimmy
    May 24, 2006
    9
    The second I ran shadowgrounds, it was nice. I felt like this was the good old days of gaming. The top down shooter genre was awesome back then. The game is awesome. Love the game engine. It
  11. StanP.
    May 31, 2006
    9
    It was great to get back-to-basics gameplay. I loved that you could just jump right in and start killing...two thumbs way up.
  12. Brandon
    May 6, 2006
    9
    This game was very fun to play and kept me interested all the way through. Although few minor bugs slowed it down a bit, they were a small price to pay for this old-school, yet amazingly fun shooter. If you like shooting aliens, dodging bullets, and captivating gameplay, then play this game!
  13. EliasO.
    May 6, 2006
    10
    Very amazing game, it's so fun to play with a RL friend...More of these games!!
  14. KenP.
    Aug 8, 2006
    10
    For $20 this game is awesome cheap fun. Its different from everything else out there. You can jump in and tear apart baddies with some pretty cool music and effects.
  15. JohnFogert
    Apr 25, 2006
    9
    I think amped IGO totally missed whats good in Shadowgrounds.. and seems like European sites and magazines have it all differently. I give 9 for Shadowgrounds with a major stamp of approval - oldschool is back! I never imagined to play cool game like this after 90's! Rock on! =)

    +++ gameplay
    ++ visuals
    + music!
  16. FelipeS.
    May 11, 2006
    9
    This game has a unique type of game-play and some of the best graphics that I have noticed.
  17. PatrikH.
    May 25, 2006
    9
    I give it a strong 9. It is really a well developed mod, the creators really have put efforts in this modification. And I had flashbacks to one of my all time favorite games Alien Breed. The story is intense and the effects ingame are really nice. I look forward to the release of the full game.
  18. MichaelP.
    May 29, 2006
    9
    I'm surprised no one has compared this to another top-down shooter, Take No Prisoners, released about 1998. That was an excellent game. I played this one thru in about 5 days, and I enjoyed it. The good points: Great spooky atmosphere, even with being able to see ahead in other rooms. Interesting weapons and a fun weapons upgrade system. Interesting monsters, different capabilities I'm surprised no one has compared this to another top-down shooter, Take No Prisoners, released about 1998. That was an excellent game. I played this one thru in about 5 days, and I enjoyed it. The good points: Great spooky atmosphere, even with being able to see ahead in other rooms. Interesting weapons and a fun weapons upgrade system. Interesting monsters, different capabilities that required different tactics. Good level design. I didn't feel like I was going thru the same corridors and levels all the time. Mix of open spaces and closed spaces. The mediocre: Cheesy plot -- it gets us thru the game, it was tolerable enough. The respawning system provided instead of saving. It seems like every other FPS can save at any time, why can't this one? Having said that, it wasn't really bad just annoying. The bad: Those lame talking heads, and the cheesy dialog! The game crashed occasionally when I read the PDAs and the computer terminals, especially in the hanger where the alien ship is found. General comments: I didn't like the free camera mode, I always had it locked in. But that was just my preference. I suppose third-person shooter fans would like it. Overall a fun gaming experience. I would check out any other games Frozenbyte creates.… Expand
  19. AnonymousMC
    Jun 12, 2006
    9
    Check++. Everything about this game just works. From the wide variety of uniquely upgradeable weapons, to the impeccable light-sourcing and special effects. Your flashlight will quickly become your best-friend as the action will come at you ferociously from all angles. Better yet bring your best-friend along because this game seamlessly supports multiplayer co-op with varied input devices,Check++. Everything about this game just works. From the wide variety of uniquely upgradeable weapons, to the impeccable light-sourcing and special effects. Your flashlight will quickly become your best-friend as the action will come at you ferociously from all angles. Better yet bring your best-friend along because this game seamlessly supports multiplayer co-op with varied input devices, all configurable easily through the options menu. Two flashlights are always better than one, as I discovered when my hide was saved innumerable times by my quick-reacting partner; armed with all the same weapons and upgrades as me. Like a true co-op, all the progress, rewards, and outcomes are shared by both players, as well as their sense of interdependency. If your partner dies...it's back to the spawn for both of you! This inspires a true sense of teamwork that keeps the tactical aspect of the game at the forefront, and will lead to some interesting in-game stategy and tradeoffs. I'm writing all this and I haven't even finsished the game yet, but am already looking forward to playing it again with three or even four players. I can only imagine the madness. Don't miss this rare gem of a game or you will truly be left in the shadows!… Expand
  20. MilesT.
    Jul 13, 2006
    9
    One of the best games I've played this year. Its a very effective blend of Alien Shooter's play style and Doom 3's shadowing and tension. Production values are top-notch, the game is very fun and replayable, and it is more than worth the $20. I'd recommend this one to anyone who liked Alien Shooter, Crimsonlands, Neo Contra, or the Hunter games.
  21. KeirA.
    Jul 31, 2006
    10
    Fantastic sound, looks good and reminds me of old-school games. Very addictive gameplay, and co-operative is great fun.
  22. ConnorM.
    Aug 23, 2006
    9
    Not a first person view loved it.
  23. ad
    Sep 22, 2006
    10
    This game deserves better ratings. It is simply an amazing game. GREAT storyline, oldschool gameplay, FANTASTIC music , and AMAZING graphics. Simply an 10/10 rating.
  24. EricE.
    Dec 27, 2007
    9
    I originally played the demo and enjoyed it. So I bought this game from Steam along with its expansion. If you like isometric 3rd person type games (Diablo, Dungeon Siege, etc..) this is a excellent addition to your collection especially if you like Sci-Fi. The graphics are gorgeous and are even better in the expansion. The game isn't really long about 11 levels with several I originally played the demo and enjoyed it. So I bought this game from Steam along with its expansion. If you like isometric 3rd person type games (Diablo, Dungeon Siege, etc..) this is a excellent addition to your collection especially if you like Sci-Fi. The graphics are gorgeous and are even better in the expansion. The game isn't really long about 11 levels with several mini-missions. Because of its gorgeous graphics, low price and just plain fun blowing things up. I give it a 9/10.… Expand
  25. 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 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. 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
  26. JazzW.
    Jun 13, 2006
    9
    Fun. I look for fun in every game I buy, and this game sure entertained me. Weakness in the voice acting, easily overlooked by the awesome lighting and great weapons. Got 6 strong hours of gameplay, I can't wait for Shadowgrounds II!
  27. AnonymousMC
    Sep 7, 2006
    10
    S U P E R ! ! !
  28. NolanV.
    Oct 12, 2006
    10
    Great game. Love the top-down perspective.
  29. boglito
    May 16, 2006
    10
    Very fun and good looking top-down alienblaster. A refreshing twist for us fans of the fps-genre. Upgradeable weapons and challenging bosses are big pluses. The game is a little short, but I think that is ok, its price point taken into consideration.
  30. Eradicator
    May 6, 2006
    9
    Excellent graphics, alright story line, kind of short but long enough. Never really get to have a big battle with hundreds of aliens though, bit disappointed about that. Fantastic game otherwise.
  31. BrentD.
    May 6, 2006
    10
    Well done, Well Done, bout time someone came up with a new version of an old genre. gauntlet, SmashTV good stuff. Sound 10-10 Gameplay 10-10 4player co-op 9-10 Too bad it isnt networkable for some good ole deathmatch that would so make this game rock even harder than it already does! www.Missioncontrol-lgc.com
  32. ManolisK.
    May 7, 2006
    10
    I played the demo and then bought it on steam.. man this remind me the good old days.
  33. MarkM.
    Nov 20, 2007
    10
    Perfect top down shooter!
  34. TheeDeathmaster
    Dec 9, 2006
    10
    This game is superb, it has the action (gameplay), the selection of guns, the graphics; what more could you ask for? It's a game worth getting and you shouldn't expect anything less than a 10/10!
  35. Fjark
    May 9, 2006
    8
    it's really great! but it kinda reminded me of the old game "raptor" :s the graphics could have been better...
  36. JonathanM.
    Sep 30, 2007
    8
    Oh, man. I love this little game. It's so simple, yet so awesome. The graphics aren't bad, but that's not the showcase of this gem. It's just plain machine-gun-blaring, flamethrower-flaring, grenade-chucking fun. You get lots of cool enemies to fight, multiple upgrades for an already-large assortment of satisfying weapons, and hours of arcade shoot-em-up entertainment. Oh, man. I love this little game. It's so simple, yet so awesome. The graphics aren't bad, but that's not the showcase of this gem. It's just plain machine-gun-blaring, flamethrower-flaring, grenade-chucking fun. You get lots of cool enemies to fight, multiple upgrades for an already-large assortment of satisfying weapons, and hours of arcade shoot-em-up entertainment. It's not a complicated game. It doesn't use the latest technology. It has a few bugs. It's great. (It's also a little scary in some parts, too. Call it a bonus.) =p… Expand
  37. JohnD.
    Jun 3, 2006
    8
    The only thing i find wrong with this game is that there is no option to save game. you have to complete a full mission before it will save ur progress.
  38. JackL.
    Aug 9, 2006
    8
    Great gameplay, awesome soundtrack, good gfx and most of all very fun to play.
  39. BrianK.
    May 16, 2006
    8
    The twitch gameplay + the roleplaying elements in this game are very fun. It's got a reasonably moody atmosphere, and a passable, if cliche storyline, but the gameplay is quite nice.
  40. M.Peters
    May 31, 2006
    8
    Generally good game. Music is a little loud at default and can drown out other important game elements. For a top-down style shooter, this one's worth the dough.
  41. Anubis
    Aug 11, 2006
    8
    es ist sau gut die Grafik der sound alles stimmt. Die schöne Horor admosphäre gefällt mir das einzige warum es keine 10 Punkte bekommt ist das das Gameplay nicht neu ist und es noch einige Bugs hat
  42. 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 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 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
  43. RobH.
    Nov 16, 2007
    8
    This is a lot of game for the money! The script and acting are bad, but it adds to the B-movie charm of this Alien spinoff. The levels progress well, with well placed stashes of equipment and ammo.
  44. JesperS.
    Jun 16, 2007
    8
    A refreshing old-style action game - close to being a perfect "Alien Breed ripp-off". There are some minor quirks here and there, but nothing which really ruins the overall experience. Probably the best 19 USD i spent on a game for at least a year.
  45. Vulturas
    Apr 19, 2011
    8
    This game is very interesting, you have many weapons to choose from, upgrades that make a measle pistol into a little killing device, and a very interesting storyline and concept. The only thing that disappointed me in this game was the ending, it was quite anti-climatic really.
  46. Cakezor
    Jun 27, 2011
    8
    A 3D top down shooter with weapons to upgrade and a semi destructible environment? Defiantly my kind of game. It is a LOT of fun.
    The (seemingly) pre-rendered cut scenes aren't that great and neither is the voice acting but the game play more then makes up for it.
  47. apokalipto
    Aug 25, 2023
    8
    Very good game. I enjoyed playing this game a lot. I strongly recommend this.

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

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic 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."
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  2. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    70
    The story is derivative, the aliens are clichéd and stupid and the gameplay is pretty bog standard for the most part.
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  3. PC Gameworld
    80
    Shadowgrounds is a great game that is very fun to play and nice to look at. Players looking for a cheap action packed game or some nostalgia would be well advised to give Shadowgrounds a try.
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