Shadow Master

Shadow Master is a video game developed by HammerHead and published by Psygnosis for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows.

Shadow Master
Developer(s)HammerHead
Publisher(s)Psygnosis
Platform(s)PlayStation, Microsoft Windows
ReleasePlayStation
  • EU: 1997
  • NA: January 1998
Windows
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay
Shadow Master gameplay. The game is a first person shooter, with multiple on screen enemies and extensive HUD information.

Shadow Master is a first-person shooter, set in a science fiction universe. The player takes control of a futuristic and heavily armed ATV to traverse each level, combat aliens, and complete level objectives. Before each mission, the player is briefed by 'strategic command' on their mission objectives.[2] The player is then brought into the level, which they can explore. The vehicle the player uses is controlled with either the D-Pad and shoulder buttons, or the two analog sticks in the PlayStation version.[3] In the PC version, the mouse and keyboard or joystick can be used for movement. The player's vehicle has a certain amount of health and shields. If these drop below zero, a game over results. A radar is displayed to show the relative positions of enemies to the player character.[4] The vehicle is also armed with many weapons, such as lasers, cannons, machine guns, missiles, grenade launchers and rail guns. Some have unlimited ammunition but are limited by an overheat meter which prevents constant use of the weapon, while others have a limited supply of ammunition but are much more effective and not limited by overheating.[5]

The game contains sixteen levels spread across seven different worlds to explore.[4] The levels are completed when all objectives in the current mission have been completed. Each level comes with its own complement of enemies, with many of them resembling creatures from Earth such as apes or wasps, but are mechanoid instead of living organisms.[6] There are also many alien creatures to contend with as well, with some henchmen being made in the image of the Shadow Master himself. The creatures drop items the player can use when they are destroyed, such as health crystals, ammunition, weapons, power-ups and upgrades. These dropped items stay active for a short period and disappear if not picked up.[7]

The PC version of Shadow Master also includes multiplayer support, using both IPX and serial connection.[8]

Development

Shadow Master was developed by Hammersmith, a newly formed company founded by Chris Stanforth, formerly of Traveller's Tales.[9] The visual design concepts for the game were done by Rodney Matthews.[10]

Reception

Shadow Master received mixed reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[11][12] GameSpot said of the PlayStation version, "Hackneyed plot aside, this game is actually pretty decent for a 3D shooter"; and praised its visuals, especially its art direction, saying, "The resulting landscapes and creatures differ from anything you've seen before", and the sheer number of enemies.[21] IGN cited the same console version's controls to be "sloppy", saying that "...piloting your vehicle is ugly. If that's not disheartening, try aiming at a gun turret behind a wall and getting stuck in a corner."[22] Next Generation said of the same console version, "Everything about Shadow Master screams 'second rate.' Pass on it and wait for the Psygnosis 'A' team to publish its next title."[23]

The PC version garnered harsher scores, with GameSpot giving praise to the same areas as the PlayStation version, but citing issues with the multiplayer portion of the game, noting that, "Our Righteous 3D machine chugged along at an unplayable pace, even with low-resolution, flat-shaded graphics enabled. The Obsidian system ran just as slowly, which made the two-player session boring, frustrating, and as far from fun as possible."[8]

References
  1. Gentry, Perry (March 23, 1998). "What's in Stores This Week". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 17, 2000. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  2. Game manual p.8
  3. Game manual p.6
  4. Semrad, Ed (August 1997). "Psygnosis". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 97. Ziff Davis. p. 83.
  5. Game manual p.9
  6. Game manual p.11
  7. Game manual p.10
  8. Ryan, Michael E. (March 25, 1998). "Shadow Master Review (PC) [date mislabeled as "May 1, 2000"]". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 4, 2005. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  9. "NG Alphas: Shadow Master". Next Generation. No. 35. Imagine Media. November 1997. pp. 116–17. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  10. "Shadow Master (Preview)". GamePro. No. 107. IDG. August 1997. p. 62.
  11. "Shadow Master for PC". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  12. "Shadow Master for PlayStation". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  13. Sutyak, Jonathan. "Shadow Master (PS) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 17, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  14. Stratton, Geoff (March 13, 1998). "Shadow Master". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on May 29, 2003. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  15. Nguyen, Thierry (July 1998). "All Looks, No Brain (Shadow Master Review)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 168. Ziff Davis. p. 146. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  16. EGM staff (April 1998). "Shadow Master". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 105. Ziff Davis.
  17. "Shadow Master - PlayStation". Game Informer. No. 60. FuncoLand. April 1998. Archived from the original on September 9, 1999. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  18. Jevons, Dan "Knightmare"; Higgins, Geoff "El Nino"; Mylonas, Eric "ECM" (April 1998). "Shadow Master (PS)". GameFan. Vol. 6 no. 4. Metropolis Media. p. 10. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  19. Scary Larry (February 1998). "Shadow Masters [sic] (PS)". GamePro. No. 113. IDG. p. 88. Archived from the original on September 28, 2004. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  20. Tony V. (February 1998). "Shadow Master Review (PS)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on June 13, 1998. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  21. Mooney, Shane (February 5, 1998). "Shadow Master Review (PS) [date mislabeled as "May 2, 2000"]". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 4, 2005. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  22. IGN staff (February 25, 1998). "Shadow Master (PS)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  23. "Shadow Master (PS)". Next Generation. No. 41. Imagine Media. May 1998. p. 111. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  24. "Shadow Master". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Vol. 1 no. 7. April 1998.
  25. Williamson, Colin (July 1998). "Shadow Master". PC Gamer. Vol. 5 no. 7. Imagine Media. Archived from the original on March 7, 2000. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
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