Skulls of the Shogun

 Xbox 360
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81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 48 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 51 Ratings

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  • Summary: Los Angeles, California and Seattle, Washington Haunted Temple Studios announces Skulls of the Shogun, an invigorating cocktail of 1960s flavored sorcery and strategy in development for major gaming platforms. Washing up on the shores of the afterlife, players meet and join forces withLos Angeles, California and Seattle, Washington Haunted Temple Studios announces Skulls of the Shogun, an invigorating cocktail of 1960s flavored sorcery and strategy in development for major gaming platforms. Washing up on the shores of the afterlife, players meet and join forces with vibrant ghost-samurai warriors, magical animal-monks, and mustachioed samurai generals on the way to capture Skulls of the Shogun. With its roots in classic turn-based strategy gaming, Skulls of the Shogun retains depth and adds a smooth, simple interface that makes it accessible and enjoyable even to players new to the genre. Players immerse themselves in battle with fun and unique game play features amidst lush, eerie environments. Also featuring 4-player local and networked multi-player and an original score inspired by old samurai films and dub, Skulls of the Shogun offers simple-yet-deep, refined and offbeat game-play.… Expand

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Skulls of the Shogun - Release Date Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 48
  3. Negative: 0 out of 48
  1. DarkStation
    Feb 12, 2013
    100
    Skulls of the Shogun requires patience and a knowledge of the gameplay. This is not a game that can be won by brute force or guesswork like some strategy games.
  2. Eurogamer
    Jan 30, 2013
    90
    Fast, compact and yet consistently thoughtful, there's nothing else quite like Skulls of the Shogun - and, for me, it earns its place amongst the genre's greats.
  3. Vandal
    Feb 11, 2013
    85
    A great choice full of humor for those who want to get started in the genre. Long-time fans may find it easy, and we were expecting a deeper gameplay, but still a great recommendation.
  4. Games Master UK
    Oct 24, 2012
    80
    Gorgeous looking (if not just a little bit confusing at times) and wickedly funny too. [Dec 2012, p.83]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Gameblog.fr
    Feb 11, 2013
    80
    This 17-Bit game is a love letter of strategy fans, and manages successfully to bring turn-based strategy in the hands of all. Its accessibility, its quality, its balanced, deep yet simple gameplay, everything was designed to go straight to what matters, while polishing the details. With its cross-platform multiplayer and a very nice, funny atmosphere, it may very well be the perfect entry point to a genre that is more often than not perceived as dull and complicated.
  6. Digital Spy
    Feb 4, 2013
    80
    The enemy AI is deviously smart, and will not hesitate to take advantage of every trick you can think of and more. That also only means it is all the more satisfying when you finally learn to outsmart it, making Skulls of the Shogun a must for all hardcore armchair generals.
  7. EGM
    Jan 30, 2013
    60
    Objectivity is an illusion. Perceptions and subjectivity prevail, powerfully influenced by expectations both personal and cultural. Culturally, we want the Great Gaming Renaissance, and we look to indie games to bring it to us. I want to love Skulls of the Shogun for all that I see it can be, but I have to like Skulls for all that it is. Part of that includes being boring.

See all 48 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Kasseem
    Feb 1, 2013
    10
    Simplistic and also with a great amount of depth. Meaning it's easy for players to get into, but also has enough meat and potatoes forSimplistic and also with a great amount of depth. Meaning it's easy for players to get into, but also has enough meat and potatoes for hardcore players to spend many hours after the campaign to better refine their strategy.

    During the journey of the afterlife, the player will encounter just the right amount of new mechanics that it never gets boring, but also never feels overwhelming. It has an excellent learning curve with a few potential difficultly spikes depending on your skill level, but feels that much more rewarding once the player has overcome such obstacles. The dialog is also something to mention as it is quite funny most of the time by either making old movie references or breaking the forth wall. After the Campaign, multiplayer is where you'll refine your skills either locally, online normal/ranked or asynchronously(play by mail basically). Async is particularly nice if you happen to have a windows phone or windows 8 tablet as it lets you play one turn and send it to your opponent, then come back hours later to see how your opponent responded to your actions.

    With 30+ multiplayer maps specifically design(and well balanced so far) between 2, 3 and 4 players, there's a ton of game for just $15. Highly recommended     … Expand
  2. Themisterchief
    Feb 1, 2013
    10
    Skulls of the shogun's simplicity yet the dept offers itself open for a a newcomer like myself to pick up and play. The user interface offersSkulls of the shogun's simplicity yet the dept offers itself open for a a newcomer like myself to pick up and play. The user interface offers every move you can make with prominent button prompts every time you take control of you units. The games’s story mode introduces different stages and scenarios against enemy units. This mode can be approached by new comers and learn the game’s basic mechanics and objectives. Multiplayer offer a turn based strategy game at its finest with async or online multiplayer. Every move counts in Skulls multiplayer. This game's cross platform multiplayer mode is seamless and very good version of the game all around.… Expand
  4. thedeadknighf
    Feb 12, 2013
    10
    This game is just solid fun. It has enough depth to make the hardcore happy but is easily accessible by new players. The humor is definitelyThis game is just solid fun. It has enough depth to make the hardcore happy but is easily accessible by new players. The humor is definitely there.
    This game feels like it takes whatever made castle crashers fun and woven it in wax on and wax off style.

    The online lobby system needs more work. It took me a minute last night to figure out you have to keep searching to find a game..don't just let the search idle.

    Also the game is new and not many people are playing it online yet. Xbox definitely needs to advertise this game.

    Have run into a couple glitches like where at the start of the match the game ends quickly and the host automatically wins. I'm assuming this will be corrected. This game is a blast. You owe it to yourself as a gamer to have this.

    Oh and it has asynchronous play; so you can play turn based against other Xbox players, windows 8, and windows phone 8 players....that's just sweet.    … Expand
  5. Cupcakeboy14
    May 14, 2013
    9
    I have this on the Xbox and Windows phone and it is just plain fun. The game has it's challenging moments which is a welcoming aspect to theI have this on the Xbox and Windows phone and it is just plain fun. The game has it's challenging moments which is a welcoming aspect to the game. Also i havent tried it but it is supposed to have cross platform capabilities which sounds awesome.… Expand
  6. omegazelle
    Feb 13, 2013
    6
    Turn-based strategy given the "Angry Birds" treatment. Simple fun with limited depth (I'm perplexed how other reviews claim otherwise).Turn-based strategy given the "Angry Birds" treatment. Simple fun with limited depth (I'm perplexed how other reviews claim otherwise). Single-utility units and single digit math. If you're a fan of the genre, this is a dumbed-down incarnation that might provide a few hours of entertainment. Strictly for novices of strategy games or light-hearted fun with friends.… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2013