Shadow Master (PC)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 2.0 stars Mediocre
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 4.7 (2.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Michael Ryan
• Reviewed on: 03/25/1998
• Updated on: 05/01/2000
• Released on: 02/28/1998
• Originally published on GameSpot: Shadow Master (PC) Review

When you combine 3D graphics wizardry, the artistic style of a '70s album cover, and gameplay that can't even compare to Raven's Necrodome, you get a couple of things. First, you get Shadow Master, Psygnosis' latest attempt to create the "next big thing" in 3D gaming. Second, you get a newfound respect for Necrodome.

Shadow Master is a first-person action-shooter that has received a lot of attention because it was designed using artwork and concepts developed by fantasy illustrator Rodney Matthews. Matthews is best known for his work on album covers during the 1970s, with Thin Lizzy, Scorpions, and everyone's favorite "supergroup," Asia, among his patrons. His unique style lends itself well to a fantasy game, and to its credit, Shadow Master makes excellent use of Matthews' vision and style.

The game revolves around a less-than-inspiring plot wherein the evil Shadow Master is waging a war with his mechanized cronies against the organic life-forms of the universe. He's running out of the natural resources needed to fuel his campaign, however, so he's now come to your planet for some fresh supplies. Your only chance to stop him is to hop aboard a big laser-encrusted six-wheeled buggy and drive it through his armies.

There's no question that Shadow Master uses a breathtaking graphics engine. Taking full advantage of 3D hardware (the game supports all major chipsets), Shadow Master presents you with an unbelievable array of fancy explosions and creature animations. It also makes good use of lens flare, alpha blending, and transparency to present a truly impressive look, which is somewhat similar to G-Police.

Gameplay, on the other hand, is neither new nor extraordinary - far from it, in fact. You control your buggy-o-war from a first-person behind-the-wheel perspective. You have a variety of typical action game weapons at your disposal, which you can pick up by running over the various pods you see throughout the game's 16 levels. In this respect, the game is a lot like Necrodome, except that you can't run the enemies over (so what good is this buggy if you can't ram a few aliens?).

The bad guys will come at you from every side, and range from tall Aliens-style creatures and plantlike laser cannons to floating heads with lasers for eyes. These creatures are well animated and each boasts a high polygon count. They also blow up pretty nicely: Each creature shatters into an array of tiny pieces, which quickly becomes repetitive, but the ensuing fireballs are truly stunning.

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