Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a refined version of the 2011 cult classic. The visuals are smoother, the game mechanics feel more natural, but aside from the minor face lift and some new costumes, this is exactly how we remember it. Outside of New Game+, all the changes and updates to Shadows of the Damned ar minor. This is great news for purists who love the original how it is, but it also makes some mechanics feel dated. For players who are fine with average game mechanics and enjoy juvenile humor, however, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered remains a good enough time that's worth revisiting. It might not be an incredibly deep game, but there's still something satisfying about decapitating demons with a sentient shotgun.

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.

A hellishly stylish remaster. Shadow of the Damned’s art and vibe outshine its dated tech, securing its place as a cult classic reborn.

Shadow of the Damned: Hella Remastered keeps the original's charm but fails as a proper PC remaster due to minimal effort and outdated design.

The off-colour humour won't be for everyone. Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is an unapologetically crass and vulgar action-horror game from another time. It is no surprise as to why it became a cult classic. Its gameplay is still stimulating and the art direction is way ahead of what's available on the market today. The gory imagery and cool designs made it resonate with gamers, and while the remaster is rather plain, New Game Plus, motion controls, and costumes breathe a little more life into it.