Shadow Blade: Reload Review – Fast, Fun, Ferocious & Flawed

Shadow Blade: Reload Review

After reading the review written by Nicholas Plouffe on our site I was curious how Shadow Blade: Reload would perform on a console instead of the PC. As he suggests, it is a lot easier to maneuver around the levels having the mobility of a controller. I found that the general premise of the game is not unique, as it feels like your typical classic arcade platformer, however it plays well and the graphics and animation add a comic book feel to the game.

The story is interesting but not exactly original. A pact is made in the past to ensure that a magic medallion that caused war and strife between the factions will never again become whole. Of course, there are individuals that want to be more powerful than the rest and they seek to obtain all three pieces of the medallion. The fate of the factions rests on the shoulders of a lone ninja, Kuro, who against all odds and vastly outnumbered, must fight against these enemies who hope to unite the pieces of the medallion once again. While the story does not stand out from other platform games with a similar premise, it is fun to play.

Shadow Blade: Reload is a single player game that boasts a fair amount of content including seven areas with a total of 40+ levels that are playable at three difficulty levels: normal, hardcore and master class. Added bonuses are awarded at the end of each level for getting all three kanji and if you complete the level quickly, you will receive a good score at the end. There are also 15 challenges to complete if you are looking for something else to do after beating the story.

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“All too often I found myself wasting time trying to figure out which way to go, as the level design is confusing.”

This fast-paced action platformer is fun, but frustrating at times. All too often I found myself wasting time trying to figure out which way to go, as the level design is confusing. There are multiple walls to climb and directions to take, and while it is understandably part of the challenge it becomes redundant to the point of frustration. While I believe it might have been beneficial to have an online component in the form of a time challenge against other players, Shadow Blade: Reload is not lacking in this area as a result.

Even though Shadow Blade: Reload is fun to play, and the graphics are well done, there are some obvious flaws that detract from the enjoyability. As Shadow Blade: Reload is all too similar to many other action platformer games, it really needed to stand out in the crowd. Unfortunately though, it missed it’s mark with the easily defeated enemies and confusing level design

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“As Shadow Blade: Reload is all too similar to many other action platformer games, it really needed to stand out in the crowd.”

Even though Shadow Blade: Reload is fun to play, and the graphics are well done, there are some obvious flaws that detract from the enjoyability. As Shadow Blade: Reload is all too similar to many other action platformer games, it really needed to stand out in the crowd. Unfortunately though, it missed it’s mark with the easily defeated enemies and confusing level design.

***A PS4 review code was provided by the publisher***