Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered [PC] | REVIEW

When Shadows of the Damned launched in 2011, it brought a bold mix of a grindhouse aesthetic, irreverent humour, and stylish horror-action, fuelled by the creative forces of Suda51 (known for No More Heroes) and Shinji Mikami (creator of Resident Evil). I loved it back then, and it still pains me that no sequel was released. Now, with Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered, modern gamers get the chance to experience its greatness, all whilst offering visual and performance upgrades to ensure it’s still a blast to play.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Shadows of the Damned follows Garcia Hotspur, a crude, tequila-guzzling demon hunter who journeys into Hell to take down Fleming, the Lord of Hell, who has abducted Garcia’s girlfriend Paula… what a prick. Here, his journey transforms into a blood-soaked, gore-blasting chase through surreal landscapes, grotesque monsters, and endless over-the-top scenarios, where seemingly anything can happen at any moment.

It’s ridiculous in all of the best ways, something that is emphasised with Johnson – Garcia’s wisecracking floating skull companion that serves as both a guide and a weapon (seriously). Johnson can transform into various firearms, a torch, and even a motorcycle, proving he’s a versatile companion that really plays into the silliness of the experience. Oh, and when he’s a gun? He initially comes in the form of the ‘Boner’, which probably gives you an idea of how silly and crude the game can be (and I mean that in the best possible way). It’s a bit trashy and it’s definitely politically incorrect so I know it won’t be for everyone, but honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

At its core, Shadows of the Damned is a third-person shooter that takes clear inspiration from the likes of Resident Evil 4. The gameplay isn’t groundbreaking by today’s standards, but it’s filled with enough cool mechanics to make it a lot of fun to play. Players control Garcia from an over-the-shoulder perspective, navigating linear levels filled with demons, obstacles, and even the occasional puzzle. Level design is clever and creative with players put into plenty of unique scenarios that play to the demonic theme of the game perfectly, so you should always expect the unexpected when exploring the game’s world.

“Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is outrageously fun, with Garcia’s romp through hell as good now as it was back in 2011.”

One of the game’s most interesting features is its use of darkness – both as an environmental hazard that’ll cause you damage and as a puzzle mechanic. As you progress, you’ll encounter areas shrouded in demonic darkness, which slowly drains Garcia’s health. To escape, players must shoot goat heads mounted on walls to cast light or use ‘light shots’ from Johnson to dispel the darkness, creating a temporary safe zone as you move forward through levels. This constant push-and-pull with darkness adds a sense of urgency to gameplay, requiring players to think quickly and use light creatively to survive. There were only a couple of occasions where it caught me off-guard, but it’s a neat mechanic that adds a sense of urgency to the constant gunplay.

As players progress through the game, Johnson gains new forms and abilities, transforming from a basic pistol into other guns with unique properties. This evolution keeps combat fresh, with Johnson taking three main forms: the ‘Boner’ (which is a pistol), the ‘Monocussioner’ (which is a shotgun), and the ‘Teether’ (which is a machine gun). Each weapon has its own advantages and can even be upgraded into different forms, whilst players will often need to switch between them for different enemy types or environmental interactions. They’re all destructive and cause plenty of satisfyingly gruesome deaths though, with Johnson proving the ideal weapon to use when travelling through hell.

Oh, and I’d be remiss not to mention the ‘Big Boner’, which is where Johnson takes on the form of an oversized cannon. Yeah, its nuts, but its use makes for some of the game’s more unique (and utterly wacky) moments.

There’s a good variety of enemies to deal with to keep players on their toes, whilst the over-the-top boss fights are a definite highlight, with each featuring grotesque and memorable demons to take down. While the general strategy is often straightforward (hit the weak spot), each boss battle adds unique twists and challenges that keep players on their toes. It’s good stuff and complements the already entertaining combat of the game.

Check out some screenshots down below:

The remaster hasn’t altered the core mechanics at all though, so whilst it’s enjoyable, it might feel a little clunky given that the game is 13 years old now. Don’t get me wrong, it holds up really well, but when compared to modern releases that have streamlined and improved upon shooting and movement, it can show its age. I actually found I had to adjust to the shooting mechanics of the game, and whilst they’re certainly competent, it’s surprising just how much action-titles have come on over the last ten or so years.

This is a remaster though and there have been some improvements made to ensure Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered doesn’t feel out of place in 2024. The visuals look great in the slick 4K resolution, with the gritty art style boosted by the enhanced textures that make the eerie world look better than ever. Add to that the 60fps frame rate that makes the action feel super smooth and the significantly improved load times, and it’ll be clear that this is definitely Shadows of the Damned in its best form. There are some additional costumes as well as a ‘New Game Plus’ mode, so there’s something a little extra for long-time fans to return for. Bear in mind, though: this is a remaster and not a remake, so go in with your expectations in check if you were hoping for a complete reinvention of the game.

Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
Publisher: Grasshopper Manufacture
Platform(s): PC (Reviewed), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2535440/Shadows_of_the_Damned_Hella_Remastered/