Shadow Warrior 2

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Shadow Warrior 2 are varied. Some critics, such as COGconnected and Gameplanet, appreciate the lighthearted and humorous tone of the story, with strong dialogue and entertaining banter between characters. The narrative is described as amusing and complementing the over-the-top combat with grotesque demons nicely, as noted by God is a Geek. The story also creates an interesting post-apocalyptic setting with a mix of human and demon realms, according to Telegraph. These positive aspects contribute to the enjoyment of the game for those who appreciate the comedic and absurd elements. On the other hand, several critics express negative opinions about the story of Shadow Warrior 2. DarkStation and Game Informer criticize the convoluted nature of the story, with Game Informer also noting the failure to explain the relationships between characters. The Digital Fix highlights the lack of depth and friendship between characters compared to the first game, while also mentioning the annoyance caused by the protagonist's endless dick jokes. Trusted Reviews finds the plot confusing and lacking meaning, making it difficult to follow and understand. Wccftech and games(TM) describe the story as forgettable, bland, nonsensical, and annoying, with weak and cheesy dialogue. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Shadow Warrior 2 has its strengths and weaknesses. While some critics appreciate the lighthearted and humorous tone, entertaining banter, and amusing narrative that complements the gameplay, others criticize the convoluted nature, lack of depth, and weak dialogue. The story is seen as a mixed bag, with positives such as strong characterization and comedic elements, but also negatives such as confusion, lack of meaning, and annoyance caused by certain aspects. It is important for players to have an open mind and appreciate the comedic and absurd elements to fully enjoy the story of Shadow Warrior 2, as noted by GamePro Germany.

The gameplay of Shadow Warrior 2 received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of the critics. Many praised the fast-paced and engaging combat, with a wide variety of weapons and abilities to choose from. CGMagazine commends the viability of both ranged and melee weapons, as well as the first-person sword dancing. DarkStation highlights the fluidity, fun, and exceptionally fast-paced nature of the gameplay, while Game Revolution describes it as engaging with enjoyable combat. GameSpot also mentions the wide variety of weapons and the fun and rewarding combat experience. The Digital Fix compares the depth of the customization system to Transistor, further emphasizing the positive aspects of the gameplay. However, there were a few criticisms raised by some critics. Digital Chumps and IGN Italia mention potential drawbacks in the form of the open-world structure and inventory management. Game Informer feels that the addition of RPG-like elements and side quests can be distracting, and GameSpot notes that the online cooperative nature of the game can make enemies feel sponge-like and less intelligent. PlayStation Universe also mentions that the combat can feel clunky and awkward at times, and TheSixthAxis acknowledges that while the combat is visceral and frantic, it may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Shadow Warrior 2 is highly enjoyable and engaging. The fast-paced combat, wide variety of weapons, and customization options were praised by multiple critics, including COGconnected, Gameplanet, PC Gamer, and Trusted Reviews. The positive feedback from the majority of the critics highlights the strength of the gameplay experience in Shadow Warrior 2. With its fluid and satisfying combat, diverse weapon selection, and deep customization systems, the game offers an exciting and immersive gameplay experience for players.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Shadow Warrior 2 are generally positive. CGMagazine praises the level design, describing it as staggeringly beautiful and featuring an awe-inspiring amount of verticality. They also mention the game's optimization and flawless performance. DarkStation highlights the spectacular visuals and fan letter-like particle effects, while Digital Chumps states that the game looks good and runs smoothly. God is a Geek describes the visuals as gorgeous with stunning levels, particle effects, and lighting. Trusted Reviews mentions that the visuals are consistently impressive, comparable to triple-A games. PlayStation LifeStyle also commends the high production values and consistently good visuals, with breathtaking environments and impressive animations. These positive opinions from multiple critics indicate that the game's graphics and visual design are generally well-received. However, there are some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. COGconnected notes that while the game's graphics are impressive overall, the character models appear to be holdovers from the last generation. DarkStation mentions that the visuals range from spectacular to unrefined, with NPC character models being described as "bargain-basement." IGN Italia criticizes the enemies for being reskins of the same opponent, which is seen as a negative aspect. The Digital Fix points out that while the graphics are a step up from the previous game, the animations in cutscenes are awkward and characters often clip through the environment. GameCritics also mentions that the character models seem jarring against the action and effects. GameSpew and Xbox Achievements both criticize the character models, describing them as poor and horrid, respectively. App Trigger mentions that the console port doesn't look as good as the PC version, and the NPCs have wooden-looking animations. These negative opinions indicate that there are some flaws and inconsistencies in the game's graphics and visual design. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Shadow Warrior 2 has impressive and gorgeous visuals, with stunning levels, particle effects, and lighting. The game's environments are consistently praised for their beauty and detail. The weapons and enemy design are also highlighted as visually impressive. However, there are some criticisms regarding the character models, with several critics mentioning that they are jarring or poor in quality. Some critics also mention issues with animations and occasional low-resolution textures. Despite these flaws, the overall sentiment towards the game's graphics and visual design is positive, with many critics commending its high production values and impressive visuals.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Shadow Warrior 2 are quite varied. Game Revolution praises the game for its great sound effects and controls, especially for melee combat. This positive feedback suggests that the sound design successfully immerses players in the game's intense action sequences. Additionally, Trusted Reviews commends the music for its cool retro vibe, reminiscent of '90s game soundtracks. The inclusion of Stan Bush's music is also appreciated by multiple critics, including Telegraph and Xbox Achievements, who specifically mention the enjoyable and fitting nature of the music in relation to the game's fast-paced and humorous tone. However, there are also some negative opinions regarding the Sound Design and Music of Shadow Warrior 2. DarkStation criticizes the voice acting, describing it as misguided and potentially offensive to some players due to its puerile humor and offensive remarks. This criticism suggests that the voice acting may not have resonated well with all players, potentially detracting from their overall experience. The Digital Fix also highlights a discrepancy in the quality of the soundtrack, stating that while the main menu theme and the bunny lord theme are exceptional, the rest of the soundtrack fails to reach the same level. This criticism implies that there may be inconsistency in the quality of the music throughout the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is somewhat mixed. While there are positive comments regarding the sound effects, controls, and the inclusion of Stan Bush's music, there are also negative remarks about the voice acting and the inconsistency in the quality of the soundtrack. It seems that the sound design and music of Shadow Warrior 2 have both received praise and criticism, with some aspects resonating positively with critics while others fell short of expectations. It is important for players to consider these varied opinions and determine whether the sound design and music align with their personal preferences and expectations for the game.

The voice acting in Shadow Warrior 2 receives mixed opinions from the critics. Some critics, such as Gameplanet and Telegraph, appreciate the banter between the main characters and find it entertaining and hilarious. IGN Italia also praises the protagonist's humorous lines. These positive remarks suggest that there are instances of successful voice acting that effectively deliver funny and enjoyable dialogue. Additionally, GameCritics highlights the game's riotous dialogue and off-color remarks, indicating that the voice acting contributes to the game's overall comedic tone. However, there are several negative opinions regarding the voice acting in Shadow Warrior 2. Critics like DarkStation and Game Revolution criticize the voice acting, describing it as sub-par, poorly executed, and misguided. GameSpot specifically mentions that the voice acting delivers obnoxious and unlikable dialogue, with groan-inducing jokes and one-liners revolving around the word 'wang'. Trusted Reviews also notes that while the voice acting occasionally provides humor, it can become wearing after a while. Xbox Achievements further adds that the voice acting from NPCs is patchy, suggesting inconsistencies in the overall quality of the performances. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Shadow Warrior 2 has its ups and downs. While there are moments of successful humor and entertaining banter, there are also instances of poorly executed dialogue and obnoxious jokes. The protagonist, Lo Wang, is often praised for his irreverent and funny lines, but the overall quality of the voice acting is criticized. It is worth noting that the humor in the game is crude and requires an open mind, as mentioned by GamePro Germany. Therefore, players who appreciate irreverent and off-color humor may find the voice acting more enjoyable than those who prefer a more refined and nuanced approach.

In terms of the technical performance on PC, the majority of critics had positive opinions about Shadow Warrior 2. CGMagazine praised the game's flawless performance and optimization, while Game Revolution mentioned that the well-optimized engine maintained steady framerates even during chaotic moments. PC PowerPlay and USgamer also commended the smooth performance of the game on their systems. Wccftech went a step further, stating that the game ran great on any hardware. These positive reviews indicate that the PC version of Shadow Warrior 2 generally delivered a satisfying technical performance, with smooth frames and versatile gameplay. However, there were a few negative aspects mentioned by critics regarding the PC version's technical performance. Digitally Downloaded reported experiencing FPS drops and severe lag when a recurring enemy called Toro appeared onscreen. This issue could potentially disrupt the gameplay experience for some players. Additionally, Digitally Downloaded mentioned running the game on medium settings, which suggests that higher settings might have caused even more performance issues. While these negative aspects were mentioned by only one critic, they highlight potential technical drawbacks that could affect certain players' experiences. Moving on to console platforms, the technical performance of Shadow Warrior 2 received mixed feedback. ZTGD reviewed the Xbox One version and mentioned that the game ran smoothly with few issues, despite the change from the PC version's 60fps to a capped 30fps. However, the lack of PS4 Pro support and HDR implementation was also noted, which could be disappointing for players seeking enhanced graphical capabilities. App Trigger, who played the game on PS4, stated that the game ran fine on consoles but highlighted the limitations of the new hardware when using a gamepad instead of a mouse and keyboard. These mixed opinions indicate that while the console versions of Shadow Warrior 2 generally provided an acceptable technical performance, there were some limitations and missed opportunities for optimization. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Shadow Warrior 2 delivers a solid technical performance across all platforms. The positive feedback from PC reviewers, such as CGMagazine, Game Revolution, PC PowerPlay, USgamer, and Wccftech, highlights the game's smooth performance, optimization, and versatility on the platform. However, the negative feedback from Digitally Downloaded regarding FPS drops and lag raises concerns about potential performance issues on PC. The mixed feedback from ZTGD and App Trigger regarding the console versions suggests that while the game generally runs smoothly, there are some limitations and missed opportunities for optimization on consoles. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall sentiment is that Shadow Warrior 2 offers a satisfying technical performance on all gaming platforms.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Shadow Warrior 2 are generally positive. Many critics mention the various factors that contribute to the game's replayability. COGconnected highlights the side missions, weapon experimentation, and new game+ options as elements that make the game worth revisiting. Gameplanet also mentions side missions, character progression, and four-player co-op as factors that add replay value and opportunities for customization. Digital Chumps and GameSpot both mention the potential for co-op play, which enhances the overall experience and provides additional replay value. The variety of enemies, weaponry, and levels mentioned by PC PowerPlay also contribute to the game's freshness and replayability. However, there are also some negative aspects mentioned by a few critics. Trusted Reviews notes that the game can become repetitive and exhausting after playing for a while, with procedurally generated levels affecting the flow and pacing of the missions. PC Gamer mentions that the allure and mystery of the loot systems can diminish over time. PlayStation Universe points out that the overly long campaign diminishes the novelty value and enjoyment of the gameplay loop. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Shadow Warrior 2 offers a good amount of replay value. The game's side missions, character progression, co-op multiplayer, and new game+ mode are frequently mentioned as contributing to its lasting appeal. The constant upgrading and discovering of new weapons, as highlighted by games(TM), also adds to the replay value. While there are some concerns about repetition and pacing, the overall sentiment is positive, with many critics emphasizing the fun and addictive gameplay loop, as well as the enjoyment of playing with others. The variety of difficulty settings, randomly generated levels, and different enemy strengths and weaknesses mentioned by GamePro Germany also provide some variety and enhance the replayability of the game.