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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Abbey, The
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
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]
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... 90
Pelit (Finland)
Excellet budget-priced action game. Looks good, plays well and sounds awesome. [Dec 2005]
90
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."
 90
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.
85
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.
83
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.
83
BonusStage
A louder, meaner, faster futuristic version of "Gauntlet."
81
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]
80
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.
80
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.
80
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.
79
PC Format
It may be unoriginal, but it's got the atmosphere. [May 2006, p.90]
75
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.
75
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.
72
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.
71
GamingExcellence
There really isn’t a lot to this game. You run around in the darkness, you shoot things, rinse and repeat.
71
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.
70
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.
70
Deeko
This game is fun, but flawed and it makes no effort to stand out on it's own or to do anything innovative.
70
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]
70
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.
70
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.
70
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.
70
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]
69
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.
69
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.
67
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.
66
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.
62
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.
60
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.
60
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.
Eric E. gave it a9: Ervino C. gave it a7: Mark M. gave it a10: Rob H. gave it an8: Rick gave it an8: Jonathan M. gave it an8: Jesper S. gave it an8: |
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