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Shadow Warrior 3

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Shadow Warrior 3
Item: Shadow Warrior 3
Author: Monster Critic Editorial Team

2022

GenresAdventure, Indie, Action, Shooter, Comedy, RPG, Single Player, First Person Perspective

AvailableMar 1, 2022

PlatformXbox One, PC, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4

DeveloperFlying Wild Hog

Overview

Shadow Warrior 3 launches the offbeat first-person shooter series to the next level with a seamless blend of fast-paced gunplay, razor-sharp melee combat, and a spectacular free-running movement system.

Elsewhere

6.6

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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TL;DR

Critics have mixed opinions on Shadow Warrior 3's story: some praise its humor and pop culture references, while others criticize its shallow plot and unfunny jokes. The consensus is that the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay, with some finding it engaging and others feeling it falls short.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

15%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

67%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

19%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics regarding the story of Shadow Warrior 3, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects to consider. Several critics, such as AusGamers and GameSpace, appreciate the light and humorous approach to storytelling, with amusing one-liners and witty slapstick humor. The comedic interactions and zany pop culture references, as mentioned by Game Informer, GameSkinny, and Noisy Pixel, add to the overall enjoyment of the game. These elements contribute to a lighthearted and fun experience that keeps players engaged. However, there are also critics who express negative opinions about the story of Shadow Warrior 3. But Why Tho? and GameCritics find the story to be shallow and lacking depth, with uninteresting characters and a plot that fails to engage. NME and We Got This Covered criticize the writing, describing it as forgettable, uninspired, and uninteresting, with constant attempts at humor that fall flat. XboxEra and TheGamer also highlight the unimpressive voice acting and unfunny jokes that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some appreciate the light and humorous approach to storytelling, others find the story lacking in depth and engaging elements. The comedic aspects of the story, such as the humor and absurdism, are generally well-received, but the overall execution falls short for some critics. Additionally, the simplicity and predictability of the narrative, as mentioned by Gaming Age and PlayStation Universe, are seen as both a positive and a negative aspect. Ultimately, the story of Shadow Warrior 3 is considered to be a backdrop for the combat and gameplay, with varying degrees of success in capturing the interest of the players.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Gameplay Mechanics

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TL;DR

Critics praise the fast-paced combat and intense gameplay of Shadow Warrior 3, highlighting its entertaining mechanics and chaotic encounters. However, some mention concerns about repetitive combat and limited enemy variety. Overall, the game is lauded for its enjoyable combat experience with a variety of weapons and intense encounters, likened to recent Doom reboots.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

83%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

13%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Shadow Warrior 3 are generally positive. Many critics praise the fast-paced and intense combat, with Game Informer stating that the combat flow feels nice and makes the player feel powerful. AusGamers describes the gameplay as fast-paced, over-the-top, and intense, with a focus on combat and using different weapons. Game Revolution highlights the entertaining free-running mechanics and intense arena-based combat encounters. Xbox Achievements describes the gameplay as pure and undiluted shooting and slashing fun that is fast, immediate, and relentlessly entertaining. PlayStation Universe notes that the combat encounters are chaotic and fun, with a variety of outlandish and brutal weapons. However, there are some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. Several critics, such as Game Informer and COGconnected, mention that the combat can become repetitive and lacks variety in enemy types. But Why Tho? and GameCritics also point out the limited use of elements and repetitive animations as disappointing aspects of the gameplay. Movies Games and Tech criticizes the gameplay for being predictable and lacking uniqueness due to its linear structure and repetitive sections. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Shadow Warrior 3 offers fast-paced and enjoyable combat with a variety of weapons and intense encounters. The addition of free-running mechanics, finishers, and the ability to steal enemy weapons is praised. However, there are concerns about the repetition in combat and limited enemy variety. Despite these criticisms, the gameplay is generally regarded as one of the game's strengths, with critics comparing it to the recent Doom reboots and praising its chaotic and creative nature.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Graphics and Visual Design

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TL;DR

Critics generally praise Shadow Warrior 3 for its colorful, imaginative visuals, vibrant locations, and well-realized character designs. Positive feedback includes the game's attention to detail, beautiful backdrops, and ridiculous-looking enemies. Some critics, however, express disappointment with simple textures and technical issues in cutscenes. Overall, the consensus is that the game offers visually appealing graphics with vivid colors and impressive enemy designs, despite some shortcomings.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

60%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

40%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Shadow Warrior 3 are generally positive. Many critics praise the game for its colorful and imaginative visuals, vibrant locations, and well-realized character and enemy models. AusGamers, GameGrin, GameSpace, and God is a Geek specifically mention the game's use of bright and vibrant colors, flashy effects, and beautiful backdrops. They also highlight the game's attention to detail, with lush and beautifully detailed environments and varied and ridiculous-looking enemies. Noisy Pixel goes further to describe the visuals as pleasing, with immense and varied textures, superb shadows and lighting, and Japanese cultural aesthetics woven throughout the world. They mention that the landscapes, enemies, and architecture are themed off of feudalism and Japanese folklorism, incorporating modernity with technology and dialogue. Xbox Tavern also praises the oriental environments for their incredible detail and the impressive visuals that come with the mutilations of enemies. However, there are some negative opinions regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Shadow Warrior 3. GameSkinny and Player 2 express disappointment with the game's visuals. GameSkinny describes them as not visually impressive, with simple textures and unimpressive lighting effects. Player 2 states that while the graphics are nice looking, they are not particularly impressive. They also mention that the levels are safe and neither disappointing nor amazing. Dexerto points out technical issues and a lack of synchronization in the game's cutscenes, which detracts from the overall visual experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Shadow Warrior 3 offers visually appealing graphics and visual design. The game is praised for its use of bright and vibrant colors, imaginative enemy designs, lush and beautifully detailed environments, and attention to detail. Critics such as AusGamers, GameGrin, GameSpace, and God is a Geek specifically highlight the game's impressive presentation, vivid colors, and top-notch enemy introduction sequences. However, there are some criticisms regarding the simplicity of textures, unimpressive lighting effects, and technical issues in the cutscenes. Despite these negatives, the overall sentiment is positive, with the majority of critics appreciating the game's visuals and visual design.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Music and Sound Design

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TL;DR

Critics praise Shadow Warrior 3's sound design for its visceral combat sounds and authentic gunplay, enhancing the gameplay experience. Voice acting is commended for strong performances and adding to the game's humor, despite some mediocre dialogue. The music is described as excellent and fitting for action moments, contributing positively to the game's presentation. However, there are criticisms of the sequel's soundtrack and inconsistencies in voice acting quality. Overall, Shadow Warrior 3's Sound Design and Music receive mostly positive feedback, making it an immersive and enjoyable experience for players.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

22%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

78%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Shadow Warrior 3, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects highlighted. Starting with the positives, multiple critics praise the sound design, particularly the combat sounds and the visceral nature of the sound effects. Critics such as NME and Xbox Tavern specifically mention the satisfying and authentic gunplay sounds, which contribute to the overall immersion and legitimacy of the gameplay experience. Additionally, the voice acting receives positive feedback from several critics, with GameSpace and Xbox Achievements highlighting the strong performances by the voice actors in bringing out well-thought-out stories and adding to the comical and amusing nature of the game. The music is also commended by critics such as We Got This Covered and XboxEra, who describe it as excellent and appropriate for the action moments, contributing to the overall positive presentation of the game. On the other hand, there are some negative aspects raised by the critics. GameGrin expresses disappointment in the sequel's soundtrack, stating a preference for the classic rock music found in Shadow Warrior 2. Noisy Pixel mentions that while the voice actors perform strongly, some of the dialogue lines are mediocre. XboxEra also criticizes the voice acting, describing it as mostly bad. These criticisms suggest that there may be inconsistencies in the quality of the voice acting and some missed opportunities in the writing of the dialogue. Taking into account the overall consensus of the critics, it is clear that the Sound Design and Music of Shadow Warrior 3 receive generally positive feedback. The sound design, particularly the combat sounds and sound effects, is praised for its visceral and authentic nature, enhancing the gameplay experience. The voice acting is also commended for its strong performances and ability to bring out well-thought-out stories, despite some criticisms regarding certain dialogue lines. The music is generally described as excellent and appropriate for the action moments, contributing positively to the overall presentation of the game. However, there are some negative points raised, such as the disappointment in the sequel's soundtrack and the inconsistent quality of the voice acting. Overall, the positive aspects of the Sound Design and Music outweigh the negatives, making Shadow Warrior 3 an enjoyable and immersive experience for players.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Voice Acting

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TL;DR

Critics are divided on the voice acting in Shadow Warrior 3. Some praise it for adding fun and charm with amusing one-liners and strong character representations, while others criticize it as low-brow and filled with unfunny jokes. Positive opinions highlight the entertainment value, while negative views point out the dialogue's shortcomings. Overall, opinions vary, suggesting that the voice acting may appeal differently to players based on their humor preferences.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

33%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

50%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

17%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Shadow Warrior 3 are quite varied. Some critics, such as AusGamers and Xbox Achievements, praise the voice acting for adding to the overall experience and keeping things fun. They specifically mention that the protagonist's one-liners are amusing and joyous, and Mike Moh's portrayal of Lo Wang is praised for spouting wisecracks with glee. GameSpace also commends the voice actors for their strong representations of the characters, particularly for Lo Wang, Motoko, and Zilla. These positive opinions highlight the enjoyable and entertaining aspects of the voice acting in the game. On the other hand, there are critics who express more negative views on the voice acting. Critics like Gaming Age and TheGamer criticize the dialogue and general feeling of the game, describing it as low-brow, filled with unfunny remarks, fart jokes, and dated pop culture references. They find the dialogue insufferable and detracting from the overall experience. XboxEra goes further to state that the voice acting is mostly bad, either due to the dialogue or the actor's choice of voice. These negative opinions shed light on the aspects of the voice acting that fail to resonate with some critics, particularly in terms of humor and delivery. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the voice acting in Shadow Warrior 3 is mixed. While some critics appreciate the amusing and joyous one-liners, strong character representations, and the charm brought by the protagonist's witty remarks, others find the dialogue low-brow, filled with unfunny jokes, and dated pop culture references. The positive opinions of critics like AusGamers, GameSpace, and Xbox Achievements are counterbalanced by the negative views expressed by critics such as Gaming Age, TheGamer, and XboxEra. This divergence in opinions suggests that the voice acting in Shadow Warrior 3 may be subjective and appeal differently to individual players based on their preferences for humor and dialogue.

TL;DR

voice acting

Technical Performance

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TL;DR

Critics have mixed opinions on the technical performance of Shadow Warrior 3. PC reviews mention bugs and performance issues, while Xbox Series X is praised for smoothness with minor glitches. PS4 experiences a mix of technical problems and smooth gameplay. Overall, performance varies across different platforms.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

29%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

57%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

14%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance on PC, the overall consensus among the critics is mixed. AusGamers praises Shadow Warrior 3 for its rock-solid performance, while We Got This Covered commends the game for its excellent performance. However, Game Revolution, GameSkinny, and GameSpace point out various technical issues such as bugs, clipping into terrain, and controller support problems. GameSpew mentions that performance issues may occur on lower-end PCs, but disabling Nvidia Reflex can improve performance. Player 2 notes that after a patch that added DLSS, the game's performance improved, but lower-end systems may still experience stuttering. NME highlights that the game had a choppy performance initially but quickly recovered to provide a smooth experience. Overall, while there are some positive remarks about the technical performance on PC, there are also several criticisms regarding bugs and performance issues. On the Xbox Series X, the critics generally have positive opinions about the technical performance of Shadow Warrior 3. Xbox Achievements states that the game runs smoothly and stable, with only rare rough patches in certain textures. XboxEra highlights the fast load times and the absence of major bugs, although there were a few instances of audio glitching. ZTGD mentions a weird audio sync issue during cutscenes. Overall, the technical performance on the Xbox Series X is praised for its smoothness and stability, with only minor issues mentioned. On the PS4, the critics have a more mixed opinion about the technical performance of Shadow Warrior 3. Dexerto points out technical problems such as lagging animations and a muddied presentation, but expects these issues to be patched in the future. PlayStation Country notes that the game is smooth with very few frame rate dips on a PS5, but mentions an issue with auto-aiming when moving the aim around. Shindig praises the game's presentation, stating that there are no major frame drops and that the controls are responsive. Overall, while there are some technical problems mentioned on the PS4, there are also positive comments about the smoothness and responsiveness of the game. In conclusion, the overall consensus among the critics regarding the technical performance of Shadow Warrior 3 is mixed. While there are positive remarks about the game's performance on PC, with some critics praising its rock-solid performance and excellent performance on the platform, there are also several criticisms about bugs, clipping, and controller support issues. On the Xbox Series X, the technical performance is generally praised for its smoothness and stability, with only minor issues mentioned. On the PS4, there are mixed opinions, with some critics pointing out technical problems but also positive comments about smoothness and responsiveness. Ultimately, it seems that the technical performance of Shadow Warrior 3 varies across different gaming platforms, with some platforms experiencing more issues than others.

TL;DR

technical performance

Replay Value

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TL;DR

Critics are divided on the replay value of Shadow Warrior 3. Some praise its fun gameplay mechanics and challenges that incentivize replaying, while others criticize its short campaign, lack of additional modes, and tedious level repetition. Overall, most critics agree that the game falls short in terms of replay value due to limited content and missed opportunities for enhancing longevity.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

56%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

44%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Shadow Warrior 3 are mixed. Some critics, such as But Why Tho? and TheGamer, highlight the fun core gameplay mechanics and the challenges that allow players to level up weapons and skills, providing some incentive for replaying. These aspects can be seen as positive elements that enhance the replay value of the game. Additionally, Game Informer mentions that the game encourages players to find hidden upgrades, which can add to the enjoyment of replaying levels. On the other hand, several critics express negative opinions regarding the replay value of Shadow Warrior 3. AusGamers, Game Revolution, and Xbox Achievements all criticize the game for its relatively short campaign, ranging from 4 to 6 hours, and the absence of a New Game Plus or additional modes. This lack of content and replayability is mentioned as a major drawback by Dexerto and PSX Brasil as well. GameSkinny goes as far as stating that replaying levels is tedious and uninteresting, further emphasizing the lack of replay value. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Shadow Warrior 3 falls short in terms of replay value. The limited upgrades, short playtime, lack of boss battles, and exploration opportunities are mentioned as factors that may discourage players from replaying the game. While there are positive aspects such as the enjoyable core gameplay mechanics and challenges, they are not enough to outweigh the negative aspects. Critics like GameStar, Gaming Age, and XboxEra all express disappointment with the lack of replayability, multiplayer, and additional features that would enhance the game's longevity. In general, the critics agree that Shadow Warrior 3 does not offer significant replay value, making it difficult to justify its price tag.

TL;DR

replay value

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

28%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

70%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The opinions of the critics regarding the overall verdict of Shadow Warrior 3 are varied, with both positive and negative aspects highlighted. In terms of positives, several critics praised the game's enjoyable combat and fast-paced gameplay. GameSpew describes it as a "focused and enjoyable game with intense combat," while God is a Geek commends its "fun and fluid traversal" and "frantic action." The game's zaniness and gore were also appreciated by Game Informer, who found them oddly satisfying. Additionally, critics such as AusGamers and GameGrin consider Shadow Warrior 3 to be a solid entry in the franchise, with AusGamers describing it as a "gem of a first-person shooter" and GameGrin simply stating that they loved their time with the game. However, there were also several negatives mentioned by the critics. One common criticism was the game's lack of an intriguing story. But Why Tho? mentions that the humor overshadows the fun gameplay, and GameCritics goes as far as to say that the game is a step backwards for the series, lacking in features and offering a disappointing experience compared to its predecessors. Repetitive gameplay and a simplistic story were also mentioned by COGconnected, who found the combat to be repetitive and the grapple hook mechanic to be awkward. Short length and lack of content were another drawback highlighted by critics such as Game Revolution and XboxEra, with the former stating that the game is both fun and frustrating in equal measure, and the latter suggesting that it is not worth its launch price. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While there are positive aspects to Shadow Warrior 3, such as its enjoyable combat, fast-paced gameplay, and zaniness, there are also notable drawbacks, including a lack of an intriguing story, repetitive gameplay, and a short length. Some critics, like Xbox Tavern and PlayStation Country, recommend the game to fans of the franchise, while others, like GameCritics and We Got This Covered, found it lacking compared to previous installments or within the genre. The overall sentiment seems to be that Shadow Warrior 3 offers fun and enjoyable moments, but falls short in certain areas, making it a game that may appeal to a specific audience but may not be universally recommended.

TL;DR

Shadow Warrior 3 receives mixed reviews from critics. Positives include enjoyable combat, fast-paced gameplay, and zaniness, while negatives include a lack of an intriguing story, repetitive gameplay, and short length. Some recommend it for fans of the franchise, while others feel it falls short compared to previous installments. Overall, it offers fun moments but may not be universally recommended.

MONSTER

Reviews

138 reviews found

GameSpace

Feb 28, 2022