Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered review

Initial release date: October 28, 2024

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S

Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture

Publishers: Grasshopper Manufacture, NetEase Games

Genres: Adventure game, Shooter game, Adventure

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is an interesting and slightly antiquated game that is unlike anything else available. The story and humor can be a little rough, but the shooting and primary characters are immensely entertaining. If you’ve played any of Grasshopper’s games before, this one is worth revisiting or trying for the first time.

I enjoy Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture, but I never got around to playing Shadows of the Damned when it first came out. I finally had the chance to play Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered, and it’s just as exciting as any other Grasshopper title – even if some portions have grown a little janky over time.

To begin, the character of Garcia Hotspur is precisely the type of character that Grasshopper excels at creating. He’s equal parts badass, odd, and hilarious, but most importantly, he’s entertaining to watch because of his relationship with Johnson, the demon gun/phallic joke provider. The team transforms the journey through Hell into a buddy comedy roadtrip, which is especially noteworthy given the grim environment. Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is one of the rare games from this studio that stands out.

As Garcia, you employ Johnson as a variety of weapons to blast your way through Hell in search of your girlfriend, Paula. Against a variety of skeletal monsters and demons, you can employ a handgun, machine gun, or cannon, all of which gradually improve into better versions of themselves. The gunplay is terrific, and blasting away foes carries a heavy weight, especially as each gun becomes more powerful. I was pleasantly pleased by how good the shooting is in Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered, as games from that era can be hit-or-miss when revisited. Moving about is difficult at first, but it becomes less of an issue as you become accustomed to it.

Another important mechanic comes from the light and dark systems. An impenetrable darkness frequently erupts in the surroundings, gradually draining your vitality and rendering adversaries indestructible. Some door switches can only be turned on by firing nodes in the dark, making them a necessary evil at times. Most of the time, shooting a goat head with a special shot restores the light, resulting in a fascinating give-and-take dynamic that is fully utilized.

The story itself is simple and quite poor. Paula isn’t particularly exciting to follow, and while a number of the bosses have unique backstories, the most interesting history comes from Johnson’s yarns about the underground. Aside from these features, there isn’t much of a tale to invest in. The meta humor is good and adds a unique flavor to the game, especially when the gameplay alters to meet it.

Speaking of which, the humor in Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is hit-or-miss, albeit this is mostly determined on your preference for phallic humor. I’m the last person to pretend that my sense of humor is mature, so it’s the regularity and “low-hanging fruit” element of many of the jokes that wears thin about halfway through the game. Some of the jokes are amusing enough (one temporary rifle upgrade is delightfully crude), but there are a lot of them.

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered includes new costumes and, most importantly, a New Game+ mode that makes it easier to complete all of the game’s improvements. This is a good enhancement for accomplishment hunters, and the costumes add a lovely touch.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 87%

Controls: 85%

Aesthetics: 90%

Content: 82%

Accessibility: 80%

Value: 85%

Overall: 85%

GREAT!

Summary:

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered reintroduces players to the strange, demon-infested world with enhanced visuals and refined controls, while keeping the original’s unforgettable humor and horror. The remake infuses new life into its twisted locations and characters, improving the atmosphere and keeping the gameplay interesting. While it does not provide a lot of new content, the changes make this version worthwhile, especially for aficionados of stylized horror action. Hella Remastered is a thrilling return to Garcia Hotspur’s voyage through the Underworld, combining thrills, humor, and fast-paced fighting.