"There are very few good playing, genuinely funny video game... Shadows of the Damned is one of them"... Well, would you be saying that if you weren't trying too hard to make a story here, and possibly ingratiate yourself to the developers??Oh shut up.
Shadows of the Damned
Game » consists of 9 releases. Released Jun 21, 2011
As demon hunter Garcia "F**king" Hotspur, players must venture into Hell itself in order to rescue Paula, Garcia's innocent girlfriend, from the sadistic torments of Fleming, the Lord of Demons.
Your Friend and Mine, Garcia Effin' Hotspur
The thing is, all the marketing in the world wouldn't make me buy 'Shadows of the Damned' at full price. I've seen all the trailers and such and I thought it was cool and all, but definitely something I'd only purchase in a bargain-bin-type of deal.
Don't make a B-movie-type of game and expect me to shell out 60$ on release day. I might have jumped for 39$ at release. I might not have. I might buy it for 29$. I might not play it at all.
Dick jokes and batshit crazyness don't make a game, especially if I'd rather play more of something I love rather than spending time on some outdatedly designed 3rd person shooter with a fresh crazy lick of paint being its only claim for fame.
I don't know. Just going by the Quicklooks the game's humor seemed to be at the exact same level as Duke Nukem. And both seemed to have pretty boring gameplay.
The game looked alright, but typical rental/bargain bin fodder for me. No offence meant by it because I see most games that way.
I know it's quality over quantity,but I expect at least 30 hours of fun out of a full priced retail game. There are tons of games that offer both quantity and quality and this game is competing with those games, in my opinion unfavourably.
@Sagalla said:
Have to say this article is a really weird blend of interview, editorial and school report... "Shadows of the damned was widely praised by critics"... Really?? "There are very few good playing, genuinely funny video game... Shadows of the Damned is one of them"... Well, would you be saying that if you weren't trying too hard to make a story here, and possibly ingratiate yourself to the developers?? I hope not because this game has nothing on the older Monkey Island games, truly some of "the few good playing, genuinely funny games". I personally thought Duke Nukem was funnier - I don't see how you can claim the opposite is true as if it is some kind of truism - the humor in either of these games is hardly a a strong selling point at all...
Here's a truism: Game X is better than Duke Nukem Forever. I haven't even played game X, but it's still better than DNF. The point of this story is that SotD was criminally under-appreciated, and that point is really brought home when simultaneously, an abortion like DNF can be a million-seller. As someone who also enjoyed the Monkey Island games, you need to hunt down everyone involved in that project, starting with Tim Schaefer, and apologize for even comparing their game to DNF.
Two problems really plagued Shadows of the Damned that weren't touched on in this article: First, there's no demo. They had demos they brought to trade shows, right? There was no reason not to release one for people on the fence. Second, and more importantly, the name is one of the most generic titles ever conceived of by man. Even now I'm mentally having to remind myself that something called "Shadows of the Damned" is a good game and worth purchasing. It screams "be skeptical of me". They would have sold at least another 200,000 copies if they had named the game "Garcia Hotspur's Damned Shadows". That's a terrible title and STILL leagues better.
I'll admit, I don't own the game yet even though I want to, and most of that is hesitation. Regardless of all the positive press, I still have trouble parting with $60 sight unseen for something called "Shadows of the Damned". Every shred of common sense is screaming at me to run the other way even though rationally I know it's worth my time. If either of those issues were resolved (OR BOTH), I feel the game might have been a success.
I'll go ahead and make the comparison: This game is Kopi Luwak coffee. Tell me that's the most expensive coffee in the world, and I'll be interested in trying it. Tell me how they make it and I'd be off-put, but still pretty game. Name it with no thought for marketing, call it "Catsh!t Coffee", and regardless of how premium the price tag makes it, I'm going to hesitate paying for it. Even after falling in love with the flavor, if I had to offer guests a cup of delicious catsh!t coffee, I'd still kind of cringe. It's kind of like that.
Not too sure what to think about Lollipop. I'd agree with the majority that I enjoy the idea of Suda's games but man, they've not been a great experience to play (though Shadows of the Damned was fine).
As for comparing DNF to the older Monkey Island games... I did no such thing, I think you misread my comment. Anyway, I think Shadows of the Damned would of done better if it released on the PC as was originally planned, there is a shortage of quirky action titles like this on Steam... And yes, the title sucks no doubt about that@Sagalla said:
Have to say this article is a really weird blend of interview, editorial and school report... "Shadows of the damned was widely praised by critics"... Really?? "There are very few good playing, genuinely funny video game... Shadows of the Damned is one of them"... Well, would you be saying that if you weren't trying too hard to make a story here, and possibly ingratiate yourself to the developers?? I hope not because this game has nothing on the older Monkey Island games, truly some of "the few good playing, genuinely funny games". I personally thought Duke Nukem was funnier - I don't see how you can claim the opposite is true as if it is some kind of truism - the humor in either of these games is hardly a a strong selling point at all...Here's a truism: Game X is better than Duke Nukem Forever. I haven't even played game X, but it's still better than DNF. The point of this story is that SotD was criminally under-appreciated, and that point is really brought home when simultaneously, an abortion like DNF can be a million-seller. As someone who also enjoyed the Monkey Island games, you need to hunt down everyone involved in that project, starting with Tim Schaefer, and apologize for even comparing their game to DNF.
Two problems really plagued Shadows of the Damned that weren't touched on in this article: First, there's no demo. They had demos they brought to trade shows, right? There was no reason not to release one for people on the fence. Second, and more importantly, the name is one of the most generic titles ever conceived of by man. Even now I'm mentally having to remind myself that something called "Shadows of the Damned" is a good game and worth purchasing. It screams "be skeptical of me". They would have sold at least another 200,000 copies if they had named the game "Garcia Hotspur's Damned Shadows". That's a terrible title and STILL leagues better.
I'll admit, I don't own the game yet even though I want to, and most of that is hesitation. Regardless of all the positive press, I still have trouble parting with $60 sight unseen for something called "Shadows of the Damned". Every shred of common sense is screaming at me to run the other way even though rationally I know it's worth my time. If either of those issues were resolved (OR BOTH), I feel the game might have been a success.
I'll go ahead and make the comparison: This game is Kopi Luwak coffee. Tell me that's the most expensive coffee in the world, and I'll be interested in trying it. Tell me how they make it and I'd be off-put, but still pretty game. Name it with no thought for marketing, call it "Catsh!t Coffee", and regardless of how premium the price tag makes it, I'm going to hesitate paying for it. Even after falling in love with the flavor, if I had to offer guests a cup of delicious catsh!t coffee, I'd still kind of cringe. It's kind of like that.
It looks like a slightly modernized RE4 to me, with a fresh and crazy lick of paint and a tonne of dickjokes.@Seppli: Uh....SOTD isn't Deadly Premonition. How about actually checking out how the game has been received by fans of the genre and critics? The gameplay is good.
RE4 was a must-play game in its hayday. Shadows of the Damned is not. It's just not worth a 60$ purchase for me. I read quite a few reviews. None of them said it was anything but a competent and enjoyable RE4 clone; at least if one isn't putt-off by an orgy of dick jokes and double entendres. A 'good' game.
Good ain't good enough these days. In a sea of good games, I prefer to play stuff I love. Why do you fault me for that? Insecurity mayhaps? You bought it, played it and enjoyed it - I'm not gonna take that away from you.
I just finished Shadows of the Damned a few days ago. Very cool game, and the shooting and other mechanics were pretty tight, comparable to the Dead Space games. But something about it felt a little cobbled-together. I guess with reconstructing the game a few times, that sort of thing is inevitable.
@Sagalla said:
@onan said:As for comparing DNF to the older Monkey Island games... I did no such thing, I think you misread my comment. Anyway, I think Shadows of the Damned would of done better if it released on the PC as was originally planned, there is a shortage of quirky action titles like this on Steam... And yes, the title sucks no doubt about that@Sagalla said:
Have to say this article is a really weird blend of interview, editorial and school report... "Shadows of the damned was widely praised by critics"... Really?? "There are very few good playing, genuinely funny video game... Shadows of the Damned is one of them"... Well, would you be saying that if you weren't trying too hard to make a story here, and possibly ingratiate yourself to the developers?? I hope not because this game has nothing on the older Monkey Island games, truly some of "the few good playing, genuinely funny games". I personally thought Duke Nukem was funnier - I don't see how you can claim the opposite is true as if it is some kind of truism - the humor in either of these games is hardly a a strong selling point at all...Here's a truism: Game X is better than Duke Nukem Forever. I haven't even played game X, but it's still better than DNF. The point of this story is that SotD was criminally under-appreciated, and that point is really brought home when simultaneously, an abortion like DNF can be a million-seller. As someone who also enjoyed the Monkey Island games, you need to hunt down everyone involved in that project, starting with Tim Schaefer, and apologize for even comparing their game to DNF.
You pointed out that you didn't find Shadows of the Damned funny, and you gave the Monkey Island series as your 20 year old example of what you consider truly funny. Then you offered up DNF as a current example of what you consider funny in gaming today. That's a comparison. X > Y > Z.
The game looks amazing, but the second I realised that steve FUCKING blum was doing another shitty, bland, talentless voice for another game I just couldn't bring myself to buy it. Seriously. It's fucking painful to listen to his fucking awful fake latino accent.
Seeing as you like to argue semantics, let me be more clear. I thought DNF was funnier than Shadows of the Damned, which I do not find even remotely funny. Thus DNF only had to be very occasionally slightly funny, to be more funny. I also made it quite clear that the humour was not great in either game. The article talks as if Shadows of the Damned is so funny, that it can be considered along side great funny games like the early Lucasarts adventure games - I find this ridiculous.@Sagalla said:
@onan said:
As for comparing DNF to the older Monkey Island games... I did no such thing, I think you misread my comment. Anyway, I think Shadows of the Damned would of done better if it released on the PC as was originally planned, there is a shortage of quirky action titles like this on Steam... And yes, the title sucks no doubt about that@Sagalla said:
Have to say this article is a really weird blend of interview, editorial and school report... "Shadows of the damned was widely praised by critics"... Really?? "There are very few good playing, genuinely funny video game... Shadows of the Damned is one of them"... Well, would you be saying that if you weren't trying too hard to make a story here, and possibly ingratiate yourself to the developers?? I hope not because this game has nothing on the older Monkey Island games, truly some of "the few good playing, genuinely funny games". I personally thought Duke Nukem was funnier - I don't see how you can claim the opposite is true as if it is some kind of truism - the humor in either of these games is hardly a a strong selling point at all...Here's a truism: Game X is better than Duke Nukem Forever. I haven't even played game X, but it's still better than DNF. The point of this story is that SotD was criminally under-appreciated, and that point is really brought home when simultaneously, an abortion like DNF can be a million-seller. As someone who also enjoyed the Monkey Island games, you need to hunt down everyone involved in that project, starting with Tim Schaefer, and apologize for even comparing their game to DNF.
You pointed out that you didn't find Shadows of the Damned funny, and you gave the Monkey Island series as your 20 year old example of what you consider truly funny. Then you offered up DNF as a current example of what you consider funny in gaming today. That's a comparison. X > Y > Z.
I like giantbomb for its quality over quantity approach to articles. But some of Patrick's articles are full of hyperbole and make this place seem closer in tone to Kotaku or something.
I was put off thematically by those fucking 'boner' trailers, and saw from the QL that the gameplay is nothing special, meaning I have NO reason to play this game.
@Sagalla said:Thanks for that. You get bonus points for not realising that was a rhetorical question - do you have any more charming comments, or will that be all for today??@Meowshi: I'm sorry, do you have something to add? Or do you just like to randomly insult people?If you don't want to be insulted, don't start throwing around baseless accusations of bias. Twit.
Interesting article but im afraid the game did not click with me at all. I appreciate its charms but as a game its very linear, generic and downright janky (weapon switching in particular) .
Still, articles like this are why i love you Patrick! SOD definitely doesn't deserve to be immediately forgotten.
Just finished this game over the weekend and LOVED it. Yes, the core gameplay mechanics can be considered "archaic" and it's a bit glitchy, but I think there's enough variety in the gameplay and the light/dark mechanics that it held my interest throughout. I also dug the humor and "charm" from the quicklook enough to warrant a purchase, and it did not disappoint. I know it's not for everyone, but it's a little sad that it didn't do better.
I just wish they'd stack the achievements for beating the game and add New Game+
This is the reason 99% of game reviews are inundated with hyperbole.A 'good' game. Good ain't good enough these days. In a sea of good games, I prefer to play stuff I love. Why do you fault me for that? Insecurity mayhaps? You bought it, played it and enjoyed it - I'm not gonna take that away from you.
The 99% statistic isn't even hyperbole.
This kind of stuff makes me so depressed. Shadows of the Damned was fantastic. Of the 35 or so games from 2011 I have finished, it's in the top 5.
Really enjoyed this game. I probably won't be one of my top ten games of the year, but it was still well worth playing. The exchanges between Garcia and Johnson, especially when reading the storybooks, were just golden.
@MonkfishEsq: I honestly didn't even realize Steve Blum was Garcia Hotspur until now.
Usually he always does the exact same voice (When he's not busy being a Chaos Lord in DoW2)
I was put off thematically by those fucking 'boner' trailers, and saw from the QL that the gameplay is nothing special, meaning I have NO reason to play this game.I don't know how many times I watched the Enlarge your Johnsn.trailer, but everytime I laughed at it, loving it and wishing more poeple would have the balls to make something like it.
I know what you mean. My guess is that it's some kind of update on the Unreal Engine.One of the things I was kind of surprised about with Shadows of the Damned was how beautiful it looks visually. Something about the lighting and artistic design... I'm not sure. It looks really unique. Fun to play, too. Satisfying shooting.
I rented it on Gamefly and LOVE every minute of it. I would've bought it had I not had other things that needed my attention first. And the funny thing is is that people are going to bitch about all these sequels and spin-offs and nothing original, but when something fresh comes out, nobody buys it, myself included, but at least i paid to play it.....
I've been waiting to borrow TWO copies of this game for something like two months and neither person who owns the game has finished it. They're BOTH in Act 5 and have been since roughly the start of July.
It's pretty clear why this game failed and Catherine succeeded.
When I heard the premise of the game it sounded just like Dante's Inferno. Another journey through the underworld to save your girlfriend. All of the quirkiness sounds pretty superficial, unlike Catherine which had a very novel style of gameplay mixed with some light decision-making.
I didn't find what I saw of Shadows of the Damned funny at all. It was a little sad, actually. A bunch of grown men giggling over a gun called boner. It just reeks of sexual frustration. That said, glad they're going to continue doing what they do. It's always interesting, that's for sure.I'm pretty sure laughing over boner guns is just a sign of being a dude that understands camp.
Getting self-righteous over boner guns is a sign of having nothing better to do.
I feel a sense of pride in the fact that I got this gem on launch day, pre-ordered no less. I took a sort of gamble on the talent of the team assembled and that gamble made me very happy. I enjoyed the game, and will go back to it again when a lull happens. I look forward to Lollipop Chainsaw and all the insanity and hilarity that it will bring. I truely hope Suda has a hit, this man needs to be able to keep making games, the industry would duller without him.
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