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Shadowgrounds Survivor

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7.8 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 21 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 28 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Meridian4

Developer: Frozenbyte

Genre(s): Third-Person Shooter

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: December 1, 2007

Summary

Shadowgrounds Survivor is a spin-off/sequel to the underground PC hit Shadowgrounds, and it tells the story of three survivors who join forces with the last remaining human resistance in the heated battle against the ongoing alien onslaught. The atmosphere and gameplay mechanics of the original Shadowgrounds make a triumphant return armed with a new feature set. 3 playable characters, each with impressive new tactics. RPG-like upgrade system for weapons and characters; including special attacks such as the all-engrossing Napalm Flame and the mighty Brute Slayer. New gameplay features such as the Sentry Turret and the powerful Mech. Campaign mode short of filler and full of action, running parallel to the Shadowgrounds story and expanding it to new locations, including snow and ice environments, gritty sewers and the suffering New Atlantis colony. Survival mode where the player is pitted against hordes of alien monsters – the clock is ticking and they just keep on coming. New graphics enhancements, including raging snowstorm effects, new weapon effects and much more. Integrated physics that bring the world alive with hundreds of physics objects, taking the destruction to the next level. [Meridian4]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Shadowgrounds

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...

PC Format

This game's fun and makes little effort to hide it behind cumbersome things like plot. [Feb 2008, p.113]

GamingTrend

If you have the hankering to play a action top down shooter that looks good and has addictive gameplay, look no further than Shadowgrounds: Survivor.

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Worth Playing

Like the scrappy movie crew that feels so much passion for a project that the team manages to create true art regardless of finances, FrozenByte similarly has risen up from near obscurity to release two of the most engaging action games I've ever had the pleasure of playing. Survivor, the extended remix of Shadowgrounds, is a must-have for any fans of action-horror.

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2404.org

All in all, Survivor is not big step forward, actually it’s hardly even a step, but it’s more Shadowgrounds, which is enough of a reason to go and get it. I don’t know of any other top-down shooters for the PC which are done as well, or look as good or cost $20.

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Pelit (Finland)

A spin off for the action-packed sci-fi shooter Shadowgrounds. Like its predecessor Survivor is intensive and fast-paced action from square one until the end. Frozenbyte has added a little bit of RPG elements into the game, which is a nice touch. The game is pretty short and a little bit too easy, but it’s not sold at full price and the modding tools are good, so it’s well worth the money. [Jan 2008]

Game Revolution

While Shadowgrounds: Survivor arguably does nothing we have not seen before, its clean, solid presentation and hectic, engrossing gameplay make it worthy of praise. You get a lot of game for pocket change, and that it’s a great shooter makes it worth every penny.

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AceGamez

It's an instant classic and the perfect slice of fast twitch, shallow fun to give your gray matter a break from all that civilization building and warmongering.

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Armchair Empire

It's an old school run-n-gun shooter that perfectly captures the flavor of the best "bad sci-fi" movies out there.

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PTGamers

An indie developer takes the spotlight thanks to a game that is accomplished, engaging and plays like a dream.

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Gamers' Temple

Shadowgrounds Survivor is one of those rare budget titles that actually is worth the money.

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PC Gamer UK

Mindless violence in all the right ways. [Feb 2008, p.82]

Strategy Informer

All in all, Shadowgrounds: Survivor is a game for fans, casual gamers, and for gamers who miss the old ‘simple’ style of the arcade era. Newcomers may be a little put off with the ‘enter-in-the-middle-of-a-story’ feeling, but if you just ignore the story completely, then what you are left with is a perfectly enjoyable third-person shooter.

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GameZone

Next to the Orange Box, this is actually a sweet value title. You must like killing aliens, lots of action and the kind of game where it pays to go looking down deserted dark corridors.

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PC Zone UK

Truly a visceral, retro experience that takes us to a warmer, happier time. [Feb 2008, p.90]

IGN

It's simple, enjoyable, pretty, and perhaps best of all, it's cheap.

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Game Chronicles

I think that the co-op play option really adds a level of replay value if you have a friend willing to blow up some alien scum. All in all, the game delivers an old-school feel in a new school package and it works very well together.

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GameShark

Shadowgrounds Survivor is about delivering an overdose of frenetic arcade action, and in that vein, it’s just what the doctor ordered.

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PC Gamer

Still, Survivor's variety of characters, aliens, and weapons deliver enough diversity to keep you entertained, especially for a game that will set you back a mere $20. [Apr 2008, p.70]

Game Over Online

It’s good, simple fun. It’s just that it’s tough to be too upbeat about a game that you might finish in a single sitting.

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Total PC Gaming

A solid shooter, with firm old-school roots. [Issue#10, p.64]

Eurogamer

The trouble is that Shadowgrounds was a game bursting with unrealised potential, and this sequel still leaves too much of that potential untouched.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 28 User Votes

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

Eric E. gave it a9:
Graphics got even better! I didn't think that the graphics in Shadowgrounds could get better but this tops it with Ageia PhysX capabilities, which allows you to move/destroy virtually anything from boxes to chairs to tables. *Does not require the Ageia PhysX card but is better with it.* This time around rather than following one single person, you follow 4 different characters. You are also able to take control of a Mech and canons. If you liked Shadowgrounds at all you will like Survivor. I found Survivor actually easier than Shadowgrounds. Ammo was much more plentiful. No real big boss mobs, just waves and waves of mobs coming at you instead.

Aku A. gave it a9:
Well finished and polished retro game, a very unique atmosphere and very good break from forever spawning fps games. Good value for the small amount of cash it cost.

[Anonymous] gave it an8:
Pretty good arcade shooter. If you liked the first one you will like this sequel. Graphics are improved and voice overs as well. A bit short. Storyline is somewhat muddled.

Ray F. gave it a7:
I really didn't enjoy the first shadowgrounds, due to the high difficulty, but this seems to be much easier and therefore more fun. The graphics aren't anything great, its a bit budgety in terms of production values, but it is fun to play and worth the $20.

Phil T. gave it a9:
Very fun little action game. The graphics are a step up from the previous game and look pretty darn good for an indie developer. It has fast-paced action and a serviceable storyline for people not looking for a lot of epic storytelling or tons of depth. It's pretty standard space opera fare, but that doesn't mean that it is not truly enjoyable. Voice acting and dialog are cheesy and fun, exactly what I want from a game that lets me play out a cheesy sci-fi action movie. The addition of physics is a nice touch, but it doesn't really alter gameplay, but that is okay. The RPG-lite system of character upgrades is back in full force and incredibly fun. Overall, a great action game for people looking for a nice diversion for a few hours. Don't pick it up looking for the best game ever made and you won't be disappointed.

Timothy S. gave it a9:
What a great gaming experience! SGS is even better than the original Shadowgrounds!

[Anonymous] gave it an8:
A quite fun little mini-sequel to the original. Building on the original isometric shoot-em-up action, survivor adds some nice new graphical touches and a smattering of physics based destruction. Unfortunately the gameplay, whilst still quite fun has been changed somewhat oddly in survivor. You will often find yourself trapped in an area by mysterious forcefields blocking all exits until you manage to kill the required amount of beasties. I would love to see a full-blown fallout style rpg done with this engine, it really shows off some nice effects.

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Shadowgrounds Survivor

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