Shadwen

 PC
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 42
  3. Negative: 11 out of 42

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  1. sweet
    Jun 13, 2018
    3
    I loved the ideas behind Shadwen, on paper. Unfortunately in practice they don't work. The default pause state and rewind feature serves to remove the tension that makes stealth games enjoyable, and it destroys world building narrative. I had thought the orphan would give strong motivation for a pacifist style of play, but the reality is it turns the game into one long tedious escortI loved the ideas behind Shadwen, on paper. Unfortunately in practice they don't work. The default pause state and rewind feature serves to remove the tension that makes stealth games enjoyable, and it destroys world building narrative. I had thought the orphan would give strong motivation for a pacifist style of play, but the reality is it turns the game into one long tedious escort mission.

    The game doesn't work, even before we get to the broken mechanics. The AI is one of the worst I have ever experienced. The world and level design is absurd, with trees growing indoors, wooden platforms sprinkled around randomly. It feels extremely contrived and gamey. The crafting system is mostly pointless, existing only to justify looting. The limited abilities of your character is frustrating, everything is reliant on this absurd grappling hook on a bungee. You can jump around like spiderman but you can't simply throw an object.

    Credit to the developers for trying to do something original, but sadly it simply doesn't come together into an enjoyable game.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 22
  3. Negative: 7 out of 22
  1. Worth Playing
    Sep 1, 2016
    60
    Shadwen is the kind of game that has the recipe to succeed. The use of time manipulation in a stealth game may make this a title that's intended for those just coming into the genre, but the approach is interesting enough to warrant a look. Bland level design and presentation along with a poor AI system for the guards makes the experience too rudimentary, and the lack of enemy variety can make things feel repetitive rather quickly. Ultimately, Shadwen has potential — but not in this incarnation.
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  2. CD-Action
    Aug 21, 2016
    60
    One big escort mission where toying with laughable AI becomes a game in a game. [08/2016, p.68]
  3. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Jul 7, 2016
    50
    After the failure of Trine 3 Frozenbyte was in urgent need for a new hit but Shadwen with its clumsy flirtation with stealth and obsolete technologies clearly can’t claim the status. [Issue#210, p.81]
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