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Shadowgrounds

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7.1 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 30 critic reviews
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Based on 151 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Meridian4

Developer: Frozenbyte

Genre(s): Third-Person Shooter

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: April 25, 2006

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 - new tactics become useful as their arsenal is upgraded to even more destructive weapons. [Meridian4]

Cheat Codes & Hints: GameSpot Hints & Cheats

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Pelit (Finland)

Excellet budget-priced action game. Looks good, plays well and sounds awesome. [Dec 2005]

Worth Playing

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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AceGamez

While Shadowgrounds might not win any big awards for originality, the nonstop action absolutely gets the adrenaline pumping throughout as it offers up a planet's worth of beasties to blow away.

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eToychest

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.

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2404.org

A good example that games with forgettable stories and acting are still worth playing. Rich storytelling is always welcome and I’d love to see more of it, but these are games after all and playability is a lot more important.

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BonusStage

A louder, meaner, faster futuristic version of "Gauntlet."

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PC Gamer

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]

GamingTrend

There have been a lot of games throughout the last two decades that have pulled off great run-and-gun gameplay. The old school title Alien Syndrome comes to mind, as does Crusader: No Remorse. If you are looking for an updated version of either of those two titles, you can’t go wrong with Shadowgrounds.

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Adrenaline Vault

I have not felt so freed from the artificial complexities of modern releases -- and so nicely transported back to the pure joy of the old days -- for a long time.

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PC Gameworld

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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PC Format

It may be unoriginal, but it's got the atmosphere. [May 2006, p.90]

GameZone

The developers were clearly inspired by other games, but that's Ok - they changed things up by turning it into a top-down run-and gun-game with tons of action and ammo. Take a gander at this one if you like your games bloody with some doses of dread.

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IGN

The experience just isn't deep enough to sit down for as long as the game's mechanics require you to, nor is its story especially well-told.

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Strategy Informer

If I had to describe in one word the high point of this game, it would be Atmosphere. This game has it by the mega tonne.

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GamingExcellence

There really isn’t a lot to this game. You run around in the darkness, you shoot things, rinse and repeat.

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Gamer's Hell

Shadowgrounds is a pretty solid game if you treat it as what it is, a game where you collect and upgrade weapons, and use them to blow away aliens.

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FiringSquad

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.

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Deeko

This game is fun, but flawed and it makes no effort to stand out on it's own or to do anything innovative.

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PC Gamer UK

While Shadowgrounds doesn't do much that's new, within its restrictive confines it's engaging and competent. Gaming lite, but still a nice snack. [June 2006, p.85]

Jolt Online Gaming UK

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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Gamers' Temple

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.

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GamerNode

To view this package as a whole, it's not the most amazing thing in the world. A weak plot, been-there done-that cutscenes, semi-generic weapons, and a view perspective that has been rarely seen since 1990 make it sound worse than it really is.

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Computer Games Magazine

Despite a name that sounds like a new blend at Starbucks, there's a lot to like about Shadowgrounds. [Oct. 2006, p.70]

GameSpot

It's like Doom 3 done top-down in Shadowgrounds, a shooter with an old school sensibility but not much in the way of captivating gameplay.

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Gamer 2.0

A decidedly old-school design keeps it from entering the ranks of today’s great shooters, but it does well what it sets out to do: give us visceral action in dark environments.

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GameShark

Given the game's low price point and the extras that Meridan4 has released in support of the game like the level editor, there's no reason not to pick this game up.

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Cheat Code Central

Shadowgrounds is a fun game in the old-school, third-person shooter tradition. It's not innovative by any means but if you're looking for a shooter that's not totally mindless then you might want to give this one a shot. Pun intended.

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Digital Entertainment News

Shadowgrounds is a pure top-down shooter that just doesn’t seem to come together to achieve the effects it was going for. Spooky games are spookier in first-person than they are top-down, so Shadowgrounds isn’t spooky.

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G4 TV

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.

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Eurogamer

A refreshing return to the past, and for that reason it's slightly too generic to recommend strongly. It's only ever just pretty enough, and there's seldom anything really breathtaking.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.1 (out of 10) based on 151 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Eric E. gave it a9:
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.

Ervino C. gave it a7:
Nice look & feel. Moronic save system that don't leave you save where you want. I really don't understand why they still make games without a free save system!!!

Mark M. gave it a10:
Perfect top down shooter!

Rob H. gave it an8:
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.

Rick gave it an8:
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.

Jonathan M. gave it an8:
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

Jesper S. gave it an8:
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.

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