71
MONSTER
Shadows of the Damned, an action-adventure road trip through hell, has been remastered at last! Get ready for a story about rock, love, and just a little bit of demon slaying.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
Expand for full analysis
75
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered dazzles with Suda 51’s surreal, crude, and wildly eccentric storytelling—think B-movie absurdity meets early-2000s humor, packed with sexual innuendo, quirky characters, and over-the-top antics. Critics praise its bold, nostalgic flair and fast-paced charm, calling it a "wild" ride that prioritizes style over substance. But others dock points for shallow, clichéd plots, dated jokes, and tonal inconsistencies, noting the humor has aged and the narrative feels more like a gameplay vehicle than a deep experience. A polarizing love letter to genre excess, it’s a "quicky" treat for fans of irreverent, chaotic fun—less about storytelling, more about sheer, unapologetic weirdness.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
75
Positive Reviews (80-100)
47%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
53%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered dazzles with Suda 51’s surreal, crude, and wildly eccentric storytelling—think B-movie absurdity meets early-2000s humor, packed with sexual innuendo, quirky characters, and over-the-top antics. Critics praise its bold, nostalgic flair and fast-paced charm, calling it a "wild" ride that prioritizes style over substance. But others dock points for shallow, clichéd plots, dated jokes, and tonal inconsistencies, noting the humor has aged and the narrative feels more like a gameplay vehicle than a deep experience. A polarizing love letter to genre excess, it’s a "quicky" treat for fans of irreverent, chaotic fun—less about storytelling, more about sheer, unapologetic weirdness.
Gameplay Mechanics
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70
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered blends nostalgic charm and innovative light/dark mechanics with satisfying boss fights and DualSense immersion, but clunky controls, outdated gunplay, and repetitive enemies tarnish its appeal—earning praise from retro fans but exposing flaws that frustrate modern players.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
70
Positive Reviews (80-100)
26%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
68%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
5%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered blends nostalgic charm and innovative light/dark mechanics with satisfying boss fights and DualSense immersion, but clunky controls, outdated gunplay, and repetitive enemies tarnish its appeal—earning praise from retro fans but exposing flaws that frustrate modern players.
Graphics and Visual Design
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63
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered shines with 4K visuals and smoother gameplay but is plagued by glitches, low-res cutscenes, and minimal upgrades, delivering a mixed, underwhelming remaster that prioritizes function over flair.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
63
Positive Reviews (80-100)
21%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
63%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
16%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered shines with 4K visuals and smoother gameplay but is plagued by glitches, low-res cutscenes, and minimal upgrades, delivering a mixed, underwhelming remaster that prioritizes function over flair.
Music and Sound Design
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87
Universal praise for Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered's immersive sound design and Yamaoka's haunting, Silent Hill-inspired score, blending eerie ambience with vibrant mariachi and banda music for a culturally rich, atmospheric horror experience. Voice acting and effects elevate immersion, with no major criticisms—audio emerges as a defining strength, seamlessly merging gothic, comedic, and horror elements.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
87
Positive Reviews (80-100)
92%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
8%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Universal praise for Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered's immersive sound design and Yamaoka's haunting, Silent Hill-inspired score, blending eerie ambience with vibrant mariachi and banda music for a culturally rich, atmospheric horror experience. Voice acting and effects elevate immersion, with no major criticisms—audio emerges as a defining strength, seamlessly merging gothic, comedic, and horror elements.
Voice Acting
Expand for full analysis
78
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered shines with energetic, humorous voice acting that revitalizes its quirky charm, especially Johnson’s sardonic wit and Garcia’s lively banter with The Boner, but its edgy, repetitive jokes and clunky dialogue risk alienating some players, leaving mixed reactions despite overall acclaim for its character-driven style.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
78
Positive Reviews (80-100)
50%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
40%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
10%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered shines with energetic, humorous voice acting that revitalizes its quirky charm, especially Johnson’s sardonic wit and Garcia’s lively banter with The Boner, but its edgy, repetitive jokes and clunky dialogue risk alienating some players, leaving mixed reactions despite overall acclaim for its character-driven style.
Technical Performance
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54
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered sputters on PS5 and Switch with framerate drops, clunky controls, and dated mechanics, while Xbox Series X offers smoother 4K 60fps but still feels unpolished—despite visual upgrades, its technical flaws and lack of deep refinements leave most critics unimpressed.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
54
Positive Reviews (80-100)
6%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
47%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
47%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered sputters on PS5 and Switch with framerate drops, clunky controls, and dated mechanics, while Xbox Series X offers smoother 4K 60fps but still feels unpolished—despite visual upgrades, its technical flaws and lack of deep refinements leave most critics unimpressed.
Replay Value
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66
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered adds New Game + and costumes for completionists, but its short, linear gameplay and minimal upgrades offer only niche replayability—ideal for die-hard fans, not a broad appeal.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
66
Positive Reviews (80-100)
17%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
83%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered adds New Game + and costumes for completionists, but its short, linear gameplay and minimal upgrades offer only niche replayability—ideal for die-hard fans, not a broad appeal.
Overall Verdict
71
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
71
Positive Reviews (80-100)
37%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
61%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
3%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a nostalgia-fueled B-movie spectacle with campy chaos, over-the-top humor, and quirky charm, but its outdated mechanics, technical hiccups, and lackluster modernization make it a divisive port—a must-play for die-hard fans, a miss for those craving polish.
71
MONSTER
Reviews
72 reviews found85
Gamers' Temple
Feb 18, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is described as wacky, wild, and a ton of fun, deserving more recognition.
85
Digital Chumps
Nov 12, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a fun, albeit imperfect, action game that combines a simple story with engaging gameplay and strong voice acting, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
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80
Meristation
Oct 25, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is praised for its honest approach, improved visuals, stable performance, and reduced launch price. It is recommended for newcomers and fans of the original game, although returning players may find fewer incentives. The game is described as fun, engaging, and well-crafted.
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80
TheXboxHub
Oct 29, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered offers a mature-themed shooter experience that is consistently enjoyable, with satisfying gameplay elements and engaging audio design.
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80
ZTGD
Nov 12, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a fun and unique experience that combines wacky storytelling with solid gameplay, making it a must-try for fans of the genre.
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80
GameSpew
Oct 28, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a unique and engaging experience, especially for fans of irreverent humor and over-the-top action, despite some minor issues in gameplay and technical performance.
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80
PlayStation Universe
Oct 28, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered offers little improvement over the original game, but it remains a good time with its mix of humor and serious moments. Limited optimization for the PS5 is evident, but the game is still enjoyable, especially at the price of $25.
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80
TheSixthAxis
Oct 30, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered retains its unique charm with its B-movie narrative, distinctive visual design, and fun voice acting. Despite some dated gameplay elements, the game offers an enjoyable experience for those who appreciate its campy and over-the-top style.
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71
Hobby Consolas
Oct 25, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Despite the lackluster remaster quality, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is recommended for its imaginative gameplay, entertaining story, and competitive price point. It is a unique experience worth revisiting from the PS3 and Xbox 360 era.
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70
GamingBolt
Nov 4, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a blast from the past with bombastic action and lean design. While the writing and humor may feel dated, the enjoyable combat and simple design make it worth revisiting for fans of the original or newcomers.
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