Shadows of the Damned, originally released in 2011, has garnered a notable cult following over the years. Developed by Grasshopper Manufacture and led by the creative mind of Suda51, the game blends action, horror, and dark humour in a style that is very much a reflection of gaming in 2011. Now, with the release of the remaster, fans can revisit this unique journey through the underworld, complete with upgraded visuals and audio. While the remaster enhances certain aspects of the experience, much of the original gameplay and design remain unchanged—for better or worse.
At its core, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered follows Garcia Hotspur, a demon hunter on a quest to rescue his girlfriend, Paula, from the Lord of Darkness, a demonic figure named Fleming. The game’s narrative is filled with overt sexual innuendo, especially in the banter between Garcia and his sidekick, Johnson, a talking skull who provides most of the phallic humour. While this edgy humour is consistent with the game’s tone, it may feel out of place or uncomfortable for some players today.
While some of the humour still lands as silly, most of it now comes off as cringe-worthy. These elements remain intact in the remaster, allowing players to experience once again Garcia’s one-liners and his awkward—and sometimes outright gross—interactions with the nightmarish denizens of the underworld.
Visually, the remaster updates Shadows of the Damned to modern-ish standards. Graphics have received a significant overhaul, with improved textures, lighting, and character models. The game now runs at higher resolutions, allowing the vibrant and often grotesque art style to stand out more vividly. With its twisted architecture and infernal environments, the hellscape appears more detailed and atmospheric than ever.
“Some aspects of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered, despite its innovative design, feel dated by today’s standards.”
In terms of audio, the remaster also provides a polished experience. The haunting soundtrack, composed by Silent Hill’s Akira Yamaoka, remains one of the game’s standout features. The remaster offers crisper sound effects and clearer voice acting, breathing new life into the quirky dialogue. The soundtrack’s chilling melodies and unsettling soundscapes amplify the eerie atmosphere of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered.
While the visual and audio enhancements are welcome, the remaster leaves much of the gameplay untouched. Some aspects of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered, despite its once-innovative design, feel dated by today’s standards. The controls, though functional, often feel clunky, making it difficult to fully enjoy controlling Garcia. Shooting can sometimes feel imprecise, and the enemy AI occasionally glitches, with enemies getting stuck in the environment. This was especially noticeable when the first boss I encountered just stood still, allowing me to shoot it freely.
The game’s pacing can also be inconsistent, as certain sections drag on with lengthy encounters or tedious puzzle segments that disrupt the flow. Additionally, the remaster lacks any significant new content or gameplay features, which might feel like a missed opportunity for those familiar with the original. While the upgraded graphics and audio are appreciated, the absence of quality-of-life improvements makes Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered feel more like a missed opportunity than a true revival of a classic.
“…Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered stands as a nostalgic trip for fans while also serving as a reminder of how far gaming has evolved in the past decade.”
Another point of contention during my playthrough is the lack of a usable save system. The original game relied on a checkpoint system that, while functional, really hindered my experience as these checkpoints at times felt few and far between—making me replay a long section of the game.
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a mixed-bag experience. While I was a fan of the game when it was first released in 2011, you can really feel its age in this remaster. For fans of the original, the visual and audio upgrades provide an opportunity to revisit a beloved title with a fresh coat of paint, but beyond that, it plays like a game that was made in 2011, and that’s not a good thing.
For new players, this remaster offers an intriguing glimpse into a weird time in gaming history experience, but it may not fully hold up to the standards of contemporary titles. As a result, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered stands as a nostalgic trip for fans while also serving as a reminder of how far gaming has evolved in the past decade.