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Game Information

Game Title: Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered

Platforms:

• Xbox Series X/S (Oct 31, 2024)
• PlayStation 5 (Oct 31, 2024)
• Nintendo Switch (Oct 31, 2024)
• PC (Oct 31, 2024)
• Xbox One (Oct 31, 2024)
• PlayStation 4 (Oct 31, 2024)

Trailer:

• Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered (2024) Official Release Date Trailer | 4K UHD
• Shadows of the Damned Remaster Announcement Trailer

Developers: Grasshopper Manufacture Inc., GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE INC.

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 73 average - 38% recommended
Metacritic - 68 average (PC version, with the most reviews)

Critic Reviews


CGMagazine - Justin Wood - 7 / 10

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a mixed-bag experience. While I was a fan of the game when it was first released in 2011, you can really feel its age in this remaster.

COGconnected - Mark Steighner - 70 / 100

Although it’s pretty bare bones, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered definitely does gamers a service by bringing a cult classic to current consoles. Some of the 2011 original’s action and humor doesn’t quite live up to our fond memories of it. On the whole, Grasshopper Manufacture’s surreal action game remains weird and entertaining.

Cerealkillerz - Steve Brieller - German - 8 / 10

Shadows of the Damned - Hella Remastered is only a minor graphics update, offering players a chance to revisit this cult classic without old hardware. While it shows its age, the game's strengths remain its wild scenario, unique humor, and grindhouse-style trash appeal.

ComingSoon.net - Shaan Joshi - 7.5 / 10

By most metrics, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is the prime example of a barebones PC port, and I wouldn’t begrudge anyone for being disappointed with what’s on offer here. That being said, if you’re looking for the most straightforward way to play a truly bizarre mishmash of juvenile humor and mindless fun, don’t hesitate to pull the trigger on this one.

Daily Mirror - Aaron Potter - 4 / 5

In the end, Shadows of the Damned was a game always deserving of being exhumed, hence why I’m relieved the remaster job performed here isn’t anything less than stellar. Garcia and Johnson’s spikey comradery still shines through all these years on, as does the entire game’s rock-and-roll attitude when it comes to gunplay, environments, bosses, and story. Throw in the cleaned-up visuals and silky smooth framerate, and Hella Remastered has instantly become the best way to play this bona fide cult classic. Name me another third-person shooter where your ammunition is literally made up of crunched-up bone pieces. Odds are you can’t, and it’s this roguish attitude that sees Mikami and Suda51’s first hellish collab comfortably stand apart from the action game greats of today.

Game Rant - Liam Ferguson - 7 / 10

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered lacks the impact of Suda51 and Mikami’s Killer7, the mechanical depth of Mikami's RE4 and Vanquish, and the uncompromised vision of Kurayami Dance. However, getting lost in what SotD isn't also means losing sight of what it is. Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a delightful B-movie romp that can be knocked off in a weekend, and there's still value in that. Diving into hordes of enemies with Garcia's upgraded abilities and assorted takedowns can be very fun, even if extra details like headshots feel like they could be tightened up. If it sparks some good word-of-mouth, perhaps today’s leaner shooter landscape will do Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered some good.

Gamers Heroes - Casey Scheld - 70 / 100

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is not for everyone. While its over-the-shoulder action and moody vibes previously established the original as a cult classic, its overly edgy style, poor optimization, and derivative gameplay make this version feel more like a dark shadow compared to the industry greats.

GamingTrend - Katelyn Lawlor - 90 / 100

There's a lot to talk about with Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered. The wild world, the funny writing, the varied and tense gameplay, the rockin' soundtrack, the silly characters, the serious moments, or the awesome sense of progression, just to name a few enjoyable things. It only took me about 8 hours to finish the game and most of that was in one sitting. I have only played Shadows of the Damned once at PAX East 2024 earlier this year and it was such a great demo, the full game delivered all of that and more. Add in the New Game Plus feature that lets you keep your late game upgrades or the optional gyro aiming, and you have an incredibly arcade-y experience that keeps you laughing and blasting for hours. The game launches on October 31st and I can't recommend it enough. This is a punk rock gem that everyone can love.

Generación Xbox - Frank Montes - Spanish - 80 / 100

In my opinion, it is a recommended game, whether or not you are a follower of its creators. It is a different proposal, full of humor, shooting, demons and a lot of action. It may have aged a bit, but that doesn't detract from the fun, something that many of us forget when choosing a title.

Hobby Consolas - Miguel Ángel Sánchez - Spanish - 71 / 100

The "perfect storm" of talent, fun, and a competitive price makes up for the fact that Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is an imperfect, no-show remaster. It's the perfect time to return to this incunabulum from two generations ago.

MonsterVine - Spencer Legacy - 3.5 / 5

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a bizarre and intriguing game that’s worth trying out. The combat and characters are a blast, which makes up for the janky movement and basic story. If you’re like me and had never played this one prior, it’s worth experiencing.

Nintendo Life - Ken Talbot - 6 / 10

A funny, goofy shooter that ultimately feels just as much of a missed opportunity as it did in 2010. Visual inconsistencies and frustrating mechanics aside, Shadows Of The Damned can still offer a good time for those looking for one, but it's a shame that this remaster doesn't do enough to polish Grasshopper's cult gem and make it palatable to modern audiences.

PC Gamer - Maddi Chilton - 74 / 100

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a surprisingly satisfying romp through Hell, as long as you plug your ears.

Pizza Fria - Matheus Brugger Jenevain - Portuguese - 7.8 / 10

I would still recommend Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered to all audiences. Those who have already played it, like me, will have the opportunity to relive a classic. And those who are unfamiliar will finally be able to experience the antics of Garcia and Johnson.

Push Square - Graham Banas - 7 / 10

Throw in the crisp texture work — blended with less impressive ones — and rock-solid performance with modern resolutions and frame rate, and you’ve got a winner.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Ed Thorn - Unscored

A remaster of a 2011 action-horror game often considered a cult classic, this will not doubt please fans wanting a return to Shinji and Suda's underworld, or newbies who want some 7/10 silliness. Unfortunately, it's all undermined by some terrible misogyny.

Saving Content - Scott Ellison II - 3 / 5

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered often breaks the fourth wall and embraces its own brand of humor to its credit and detriment. There’s a really stylish presentation akin to something like Devil May Cry, but its inconsistent gameplay mechanics and disappointing narrative hold it back. If you’re willing to overlook its flaws, this offers a decent adventure with some memorable moments. If nothing else, this is something that exists for the pursuit of video game preservation. Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is just hella OK, and it’s one of the least exciting remasters I’ve played, but it still has some charm going for it, even in 2024.

Slant Magazine - Justin Clark - 3.5 / 5

It’s with all that in mind that it’s fairly easy to forgive just how little has been done to bring Shadows of the Damned up to code in 2024. Especially by contrast to the botched remaster of Suda51’s Lollipop Chainsaw, it’s almost a relief that the worst that can be said for this release is that it’s indistinguishable from the original, aside from a mild spitshine of the textures and it running at 4K60. Without trying to run an expensive graphical arms race, Shadows of the Damned is forced to stand on charm. Given just how many unique experiences exist outside the AAA bubble right now, the fact that Garcia Hotspur’s wild profane trash-sploitation adventure still does is a timely reminder of what can happen in the arena of AA games.

SteamDeckHQ - Noah Kupetsky - 3.5 / 5

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a faithful remaster of the 2011 release, which is both a great change-up from newer releases and sadly missing some nice quality-of-life features that make third-person shooters more enjoyable.

TechRaptor - Joe Allen - 7 / 10

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it offers a new glimpse at a fascinating relic of the seventh console generation.

The Nerd Stash - Julio La Pine - 8.5 / 10

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a proper comeback of a niche classic that maintains the essence of the original while modernizing it enough for newer audiences. Despite its minor technical flaws, it is a top-notch action-adventure escapade.

Wccftech - Francesco De Meo - 8 / 10

As a remaster, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered leaves something to be desired, offering minimal visual improvements, no graphics options on PC, and no gameplay enhancements. However, it's still a worthwhile purchase for fans of Suda51, Shinji Mikami, and third-person shooters., as the quality of the original experience still shines through, with its relentless pace, engaging story, memorable characters, and a dark humor that's hard to find in games today. Garcia Hotspur's war against Fleming to save Paula remains just as captivating now as it was in 2013.

 

[adamsapple]

Lollipop Chainsaw and this both getting mostly mixed to negative reception.

Poor Suda51.

 

[zokie]

with the game just being $30 in my psn region , i paid it on psn as it was my own birthday present

i do not believe in reviewers a long time ago but I am glad that to see some of the review scores are good

i am glad that grasshopper and Netease do not bow down to appeal the "modern audience ' and thus i am happy giving my $ to Netease

Note: preorder on Playstation or Xbox and play on 10/28th midnight depending on your region
Steam only unlocks on halloween

 

[Tarnpanzer]

Well, at least the price is reasonable although this is a somewhat short game.

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

It's the perfect time to return to this incunabulum from two generations ago.

Tell me you’re a late zoomer without telling me you’re a late zoomer. As if this was an Atari 2600 original, lol.

Some outlets are visibly making an effort to not bash the game for its style and humor. I see it as sort of a good sign - the macho character, the scantily-clad damsel in distress and the locker-room humor would have seen this game begging for a 60/100 just two years ago.

Let’s be perfectly clear, SotD could never even sniff RE4’s bed when it comes to content, variety, design and longevity. It was always a 7/10, maybe an 8 in its prime. But it’s a game that’s greater than the sum of its part. The protagonist duo is one of gaming’s best ever, and for me at last, the humor absolutely hits home. The gameplay never really shines, and it’s actually pretty clunky in several instances, but the overall experience is just a quick romp through mindless fun. I had a very soft spot for it during Gen 7.

If the loading times are significantly shorter and the cutscenes can be skipped, it’s enough for me to revisit the game. New Game + is the icing on the cake.

 

[tommib]

Same game at 4K60. Basically a port. It’s priced accordingly though. People should think of these kind of releases before calling Demon’s Souls 2020 a “remaster”.

 

[GrayChild]

Let's check what some of the more negative reviews have to say:


PCGamesN:

Shadows of the Damned Hella Remastered is a crude, mean-spirited, and dangerously unfunny trip down memory lane with a grating cast, middling gunplay, and only the most minor of visual enhancements.

RPS:

Shadows Of The Damned: Hella Remastered will no doubt please fans of the original, as it doesn't touch the demonic meat and bones of the original besides giving them a bit of a face lift. For those coming in fresh, it's a fairly good time, but only until you start noticing its nastiness. I respect its zaniness and its double-A feel from yesteryear, but I also despise how its characters and its world portray women. I wish that attitude had been tossed in the bin and 'remastered' instead, honestly.

GOGConnected:

Some of the 2011 original’s action and humor doesn’t quite live up to our fond memories of it.

PCGamer:

It's an unfiltered adolescent fantasy, a shameless barrage of jokes that haven't been funny since middle school, a lurid triple-X dream that simultaneously manages to be impossibly childish.

Surprise, part of the low scores is due to journos having their panties in a bunch. Stop acting like a bunch of dick-gobbling lobotomites, you spoiled mentally-challenged sissies!

 

[TheDarkPhantom]

Got the plat trophy on PS3, will do it again, nothing quite like a Suda game.

Nothing more to say, Suda and Mikami were a match made in heav-- *cough* Hell and I can't wait to do it all over again

 

[nowhat]

"Hella Remastered" - what is this? An OG Life is Strange crossover?

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

Surprise, part of the low scores is due to journos having their panties in a bunch. Stop acting like a bunch of dick-gobbling lobotomites, you spoiled mentally-challenged sissies!

Cut them some slack. They’ve been taught that having sex means watching a woman that isn’t really your girlfriend getting railed by a dude that is definitely not your friend.

How can anyone not laugh at this game’s humor is a mystery to me. It’s not even the more egregious stuff like the Big Boner. It’s the random quips between the two main characters, the over-the-topness of it all, and the absolutely perfect VA. Everyone made a stellar performance. Garcia absolutely sells it. Hearing him reading those dark fairy tale books he find around is pure joy.

 

[March Climber]

Surprise, part of the low scores is due to journos having their panties in a bunch.

You missed the ones pointing out the technical issues and jank controls.

The former has me worried.

 

[Big Baller]

 

[TheDuskwalker]

 

[Hypereides]

Lollipop Chainsaw and this both getting mostly mixed to negative reception.

Poor Suda51.

Not shocked nor surprised anymore. Just humourless non-gaming activist journos trying to trash decent games and drive games like this out of existence.

 

[Sellyprime]

So unless they have cut or censored anything, it's basically the same 7/10 it always was.
Which is good as it's a deadly premonition type game, where you fall in love with it or you roll your eyes lol.
Personally I love this game but it is jank. Will be buying it asap

 

[Soodanim]

I've still got my PS3 copy, but I never finished it. It's been so long that I might just buy this to support the cause and start again fresh with better image quality.

Edit: I'll definitely buy it, I like the unapologetic style of it. If modern reviewers don't like it, that's all the review I need.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

TASTE MY BIG BONER

I'll probably buy it, even though that's all I remember about the original.

 

[Soodanim]

Just look at the titles they give people in this, you can tell they had fun with it.

 

[SpearHea.:D]

Love this game. Will buy it

 

[SkylineRKR]

Game is really fun, I played it on PS3 when it came out. It has that typical Suda51 weirdness going on, lots of stupid jokes. The stinky crow monologue was pretty good.

 

[Pejo]

So they didn't censor themselves on the remaster? That's a buy. I haven't played this game in years anyways, worth it for the price.

 

[Panajev2001a]

So they didn't censor themselves on the remaster? That's a buy. I haven't played this game in years anyways, worth it for the price.

Yeah, definitely on the buy list.

 

[WX3]

I felt compelled to buy it. It's one of those games I play while the wife is sitting next to me on the couch and she is out of dice on Monopoly Go. One of those games in which she asks me what the hell is wrong with me? What kind of dumb shit is this? What the fuck did he just say? One of those games.

 

[Skifi28]

I felt compelled to buy it. It's one of those games I play while the wife is sitting next to me on the couch and she is out of dice on Monopoly Go. One of those games in which she asks me what the hell is wrong with me? What kind of dumb shit is this? What the fuck did he just say? One of those games.

 

[WX3]

Yea, except we've been married for 29 years. It has become a past time of ours.

 

[CastorSoze]

Have this on PS3 but never got around to playing it.
Then recently played Travis Strikes Again which made me want to play SotD.
But when they announced the remaster I figured I'll just wait for it if it didn't change anything.

 

[Hypereides]

I felt compelled to buy it. It's one of those games I play while the wife is sitting next to me on the couch and she is out of dice on Monopoly Go. One of those games in which she asks me what the hell is wrong with me? What kind of dumb shit is this? What the fuck did he just say? One of those games.

You're a man of culture. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

 

[tommib]

Buying this on the switch and PS5. Waiting for the Pro and left my PS5 in a different country. Won’t be able to resist trying this before the Pro comes. Double dipping like the capitalist moron that I am.

 

[Agent_4Seven]

 

[Thief1987]

Lollipop Chainsaw and this both getting mostly mixed to negative reception.

Poor Suda51.

??? They are scored better than originals. It's not like these two games were ever highly regarded.

 

[Mr Hyde]

Platted it on PS3 so I'm not sure if I'm up for another go at it. It's a 7/10 game at most so don't see anything wrong with the reviews. It has some memorable moments and Garcia Hotspur is a cool protagonist, but the humor was cringe as fuck and some gameplay sections were pretty dull. One of Sudas and Mikamis weaker games. Yamaokas score though is a highlight. He never miss.

 

[GymWolf]

Gameplay looks the same, i think i'm gonna pass, the game felt dated and clunky even back in the days tbh.

 

[jufonuk]

I couldn’t t get into the game on 360. Not sure I will dip on the switch version.

 

[Punished Miku]

Already bought and downloaded.

 

[Giallo Corsa]

It's exactly what I expected, a 1:1 remaster and I'm fine with that...

Now, while I did enjoy it back in the day on the PS3 (and I also did a playthrough 'bout 2 years ago on the XSX via BC)...it's a 6/10 game through and through - there's no variety in the encounters, the level design is mediocre as are the animations and general GFX, its biggest problems though IMO were the super-close camera (and FOV) and the almost rubber-bandy, woky feeling camera which I hope they got fixed.

The NG+ plus, being (finally) able to play with your unlocked and powered up weapons is a nice feature which was missing from the OG.

A very pulpy, grind house, Rock 'n' roll type of game, it just has this "charm" that you simply can't dismiss if you're a Suda51 fan...

Will get it for sure, it's just dumb fun

 

[Werewolf Jones]

I'm buying on uh.... Maybe PS5? And Switch later down the line. Won't be playing it until after I come back from Japan.

 

[fatmarco]

I love Shadows of the Damned but they really could have done the bare minimum and AI upscaled the textures. It deserves a lot more love and care than this remaster is offering.

 

[PanzerCute]

I loved the game when it first released: we played through it in one sitting with a friend while smoking some very strong weed and we laughed like morons 90% of the time. Such a stupid yet very engaging game.

I will get this in a few weeks, once I am done with Metaphor and Sonic.

These reviews are sad tho :/

 

[GrayChild]

A daily reminder the industry desperately needs more games like this:

 

[Hypereides]

No, its a big boner. Stay on topic. ;-)

 

[StereoVsn]

Not shocked nor surprised anymore. Just humourless non-gaming activist journos trying to trash decent games and drive games like this out of existence.

I think there are also some technical issues they need to be corrected. Generally though yeah, reviewers now days can’t fathom a B-tier movies equivalent in gaming.

Hell, they probably don’t get B-tier movies either.

 

[Jesb]

It was never a great game so I don’t know why you wouldn’t remake it. Remasters should be for games already good.

 

[joeygreco1985]

This trend of rescoring games from 15 years ago against modern ideologies fucking sucks. Rate the quality of the port, that's all that matters here.

 

[JPSLotus97T]

If you've never played this game, it's worth playing IMO.

I had a ton of fun with the original release and do plan on picking up the remaster at some point because I would love to go through it again.

Yeah I know some aspects haven't aged well, but don't listen to the idiot reviewers slagging off the game for whatever reasons they have. You'll have fun with it, and isn't having fun with a game what it is all supposed to be about anyway?

 

[simpatico]

The modern gaming mind cannot comprehend these levels of awesome. I'd be worried if review scores were high when you consider who the reviewers are. I get why they don't like the game. I mean, his gun is his dick and if you no longer have your dick, you might not want to be constantly reminded of how awesome it is to own one.

 

[SpearHea.:D]

As a horny teenager bought the lewd japanese version for the cover. Hahaha, this game is fuckin awesome and one of my favs.

 

[drotahorror]

It was never a great game so I don’t know why you wouldn’t remake it. Remasters should be for games already good.

I think any decent game that is stuck on the PS3/360 console generation should get a re-release with basic QOL improvements on PC and other recent consoles.

 

[Krathoon]

Oh. Did they change the soundtrack any? Is it all the same?

Edit: Ah, great. They left it alone. Sounds like a straight port. Perfect. That was what I was wanting.

 

[Krathoon]

...and it comes out on Halloween. Brilliant. I will have that and the new Dragon Age.

 

[Krathoon]

Really, the Lolipop Chaninsaw remaster is fine as long as you use the orginal soundtrack mod.