Shadow of the Beast

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 60 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 60
  3. Negative: 5 out of 60
  1. Areajugones
    May 16, 2016
    90
    Shadow of the Beast is one of those digital releases that is worth its price. A videogame that is incredibly well designed, with a considerable duration, addictive, can be played multiple times and has an amazing graphic design.
  2. Hobby Consolas
    May 16, 2016
    87
    Shadow of the Beast for PS4 is a gift that fans of the original Amiga game can't miss and offers a perfect mix of action, 2D platforms and puzzle, with Deep combat and fantastic artistic design.
  3. PlayStation LifeStyle
    May 16, 2016
    85
    Shadow of the Beast hits many right notes for that old-school difficult feeling, even with infinite lives.
  5. GamingTrend
    May 16, 2016
    85
    Not all remakes are successful, but Heavy Spectrum’s new take on Shadow of the Beast is a triumph across the board. It has enough nostalgic throwback to draw in fans of the original, but plenty of updates for a new audience.
  6. Wccftech
    May 16, 2016
    82
    With its excellent side-scrolling platforming based experience, smooth battle system, intriguing narrative style, excellent graphics and high replay value, Shadow of the Beast is definitely a quality product. The lack of originality and somewhat unresponsive controls will be issues for some, but the well designed experience makes it easy to get past them.
  7. The Games Machine
    May 16, 2016
    82
    Shadow of the Beast is a genuine tribute to a timeless classic, that manages to capture the original vision of Martin Edmondson, including some flaws here and there (like the disappointing bosses and some dull maps).
  8. GameOver.gr
    Jun 8, 2016
    80
    It’s one of those rare examples of retro remakes that really capture the essence of the original and manage to modernize it. It’s not without its own share of issues, as it has some inconsistencies in the platform, puzzle, action mix, but nevertheless Shadow of the Beast is a worthy ode to one of the great legends of gaming.
  9. XGN
    May 25, 2016
    80
    Shadow of the Beast unleashes a beast out for revenge. It offers some puzzles, a lot of platforming and even more disgustingly good hack and slash action. There is a lot of stuff to unlock as well which keeps you busy for hours.
  10. COGconnected
    May 23, 2016
    80
    It’s brutal, highly replayable, and one slick combination of old and new ideas into a game that really feels unique, and those types of the titles leave more of an impression on me than any other.
  11. ZTGD
    May 18, 2016
    80
    It’s a game filled with some insanely cool creatures, worlds, and enemy designs, along with a soundtrack that absolutely matches that, and some really fun moments.
  12. Slant Magazine
    May 17, 2016
    80
    It surpasses its predecessor by articulating a horrific but heroic myth underneath the clothes of a traditional platformer and beat-'em-up.
  13. Metro GameCentral
    May 16, 2016
    80
    A stunning work of imagination that turns the shallow spectacle of the original into a gorgeous-looking action game with real depth and replayability.
  14. TheSixthAxis
    May 16, 2016
    80
    Storytelling annoyances aside, it’s a solid and polished game with just the right amount of nostalgia for us oldies.
  15. USgamer
    May 16, 2016
    80
    Shadow of the Beast takes the original Commodore Amiga's platform-combat gameplay and brings it bang up to date with plenty of exploration, and a more sophisticated fighting system. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable platform game that features an interesting story, entertaining combat, and excellent audio-visuals. The main campaign doesn't take too long to beat, but the game packs enough secrets and unlockables to keep you coming back for more.
  16. IGN Sweden
    May 24, 2016
    79
    Shadow of the Beast is a respectful re-imagining of the Amiga classic from 1989. The combat in the game is fun, it has a nice presentation throughout and an interesting narrative design.
  17. Multiplayer.it
    May 16, 2016
    78
    Shadow of the Beast is a fine budget game who respect the original one with some interesting variations. The combat system is nice, but repetitive, the visuals are good, and the finale could have been more rewarding, but if your are seeking for nostalgia you're in the right place.
  18. IGN
    May 17, 2016
    76
    Long after its many blood-soaked dismemberments fade from my memory, I’ll remember just how alien and otherworldly it felt between the fits of violence.
  19. PlaySense
    May 25, 2016
    75
    A decent return of a classic, held a little bit back by clunky controls and a weird story structure.
  20. NZGamer
    May 23, 2016
    75
    Overall Shadow of the Beast a pretty good platformer with nothing much to hate about it. It’s a good time killer.
  21. Merlin'in Kazanı (Turkey)
    May 17, 2016
    75
    After 24 years, Aarbron comes back with detailed graphics, interesting story-telling and an appealing atmosphere. With its new Hack'N slash elements, Shadow of the Beast brings back the feeling of old school side-scrolling platform experience.
  22. LaPS4
    May 16, 2016
    75
    Shadow of the Beast was a beautiful game and it still is. This remake returns with the whole aesthetic of the original game, but we've seen better recoveries. So it is not very fresh or surprising.
  23. God is a Geek
    May 16, 2016
    75
    A surprisingly fun platformer that’ll keep you hooked with its fluid combat and varied boss fights.
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This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

In Progress & Unscored

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  1. The A.V. Club
    May 19, 2016
    Shadow Of The Beast is so wholeheartedly immersed in the design sensibilities of a bygone era—not the rehabilitated and domesticated principles of permanent death and procedural generation that have become so common today, but ancient trends better left undisturbed like painful restarts and progress-halting puzzles—that it transforms into a refreshingly alien experience, if not an entirely enjoyable one.

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2016
83
#83 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 169 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 115 out of 169
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 169
  3. Negative: 32 out of 169
  1. MightyM
    May 17, 2016
    10
    If you play this game mashing the attack button you've failed! The combat is really intricate once you get used to the fact that it's aboutIf you play this game mashing the attack button you've failed! The combat is really intricate once you get used to the fact that it's about considered timing. With the amount of secrets to find and unlock, and all the psygnosis references for old school players, the replay value is high! I've enjoyed going back into the levels and getting better at combat as I discover more. I really don't understand what the low score reviews are talking about, I think they just haven't understood that this is a proper game that requires skill to play. I love it and hope they make a sequel!… Full Review »
  2. CandyVenom
    May 17, 2016
    8
    Shadow of the Beast returns with a good game that has its flaws like the very long loading times and the platforming is a bit weird but youShadow of the Beast returns with a good game that has its flaws like the very long loading times and the platforming is a bit weird but you can get used to it quite fast.

    Good things:
    -Offers a good challenge if you're playing the game on the hardest difficulty
    -Good amount of hidden secrets and collectibles and various endings to have replay value
    -The visuals are very pretty and you will be amazed by some backgrounds
    -The music is as good as it was in the past games
    -Good amount of violence without being too gore for people that likes violence

    Bad things:
    -The combat might be too simple, you have one button to attack so you will see yourself constantly pressing Square, you can press the touchpad or R1+L1 to do special attacks but you will see yourself using Square most of the times
    -The platforming doesn't feel right, Aarbron jumps when you press X unlike many people says but when falling it feels very clunky
    -The movement some times also feels kinda clunky, specially when you want to turn or walk just one step you may find Aarbron walking two or three steps instead of one as you intended
    -The game sometimes doesn't explain its mechanics well enough, like the first boss you encounter you will probably face him like the rest of the enemies and you will probably find how to deal with it after you died since the game doesn't give you a hint by any way until you fight it for some time

    Still is a good game and for those who loved the original one it comes inside the game so you're basically buying two games paying only for one, for any who loved the original and its challenge they will love this new entry, i hope Sony doesn't ditch the Shadow of the Beast series and keeps making new entries with bigger budget.    … Full Review »
  3. kraster
    May 17, 2016
    8
    This game is nowhere near as bad as the negative reviews would have you believe. The presentation is top notch with excellent visual designThis game is nowhere near as bad as the negative reviews would have you believe. The presentation is top notch with excellent visual design and a great soundtrack. Combat is deeper than would first appear. The whole point of the combat is to rack up high scores so simply mashing the attack button will yield a low score.
    High scores allow you to purchase upgrades and other unlockables and also give you bragging rights on the leader boards. There are also lots of branching paths, different endings and secrets that add a great deal of replayability to the game. There are a few flaws that have been mentioned. Platforming is quite clunky (but not downright awful). Some of the scenery gets in the way of combat and the actual rhythm of combat takes a little getting used to because it's not adequately explained. Overall though it's a very good game at a very good price.    … Full Review »
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