Shadwen is a stealth video game developed and published by Frozenbyte. The game was released for macOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, and Windows in May 2016.
| Shadwen | |
|---|---|
 Steam banner | |
| Developer(s) | Frozenbyte |
| Publisher(s) | Frozenbyte |
| Platform(s) | Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, Windows |
| Release | 17 May 2016 |
| Genre(s) | Stealth |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editShadwen is a stealth video game played from a third-person view.[1]
Plot
editAn assassin named Shadwen embarks on a quest to kill the king and must also protect a young girl named Lily. Lily's father was taken to a quarry by kingsmen, and her mother died in the recent spring. She kept herself alive by finding food and shelter throughout the summer, but struggled to feed herself as the weeks went on. She meets Shadwen while trying to steal apples from a tree in the city graveyard. Her mother used to tell her stories where kind and gentle people came out on top. Her opinion of Shadwen can change depending on if she sees Shadwen kill people or not. Shadwen lived in the Dark Forest and was hired by the current king to kill the former king. The current king went back on his word to pay her and instead burned down the forest where she lived to try and kill her. Seeking revenge, Shadwen makes her way to his castle to either end his life or exact payment.
Development and release
editShadwen was developed by Frozenbyte.[2] The game was announced in December 2015.[2] The game was released for macOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, and Windows on 17 May 2016.[3] The PlayStation 4 version is notable for being one of the very few PlayStation 4 games not playable on the PlayStation 5 with backwards compatibility, due to a loading screen bug that cannot be fixed.[4]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | (PC) 53/100[5] (PS4) 51/100[6] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| 4Players | (PC) 47%[7] |
| Destructoid | (PC) 4/10[8] |
| GamesMaster | (PS4) 37%[9] |
| Hardcore Gamer | (PC) 3/5[1] |
| PC Gamer (UK) | (PC) 60%[10] |
| Push Square | (PS4)   [11] |
| The Games Machine (Italy) | 4.5/10[12] |
| Metro | (PS4) 3/10[13] |
The PC and PlayStation 4 versions received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5][6] Destructoid reviewer Joe Parlock was disappointed in the PC version, noting that it wasted the potential of a really cool premise.[8] Hardcore Gamer writer Jordan Helm's review was more positive in his critique, saying that the tactically-focus stealth gameplay enticed him to continue playing the game.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Helm, Jordan (18 May 2016). "Review: Shadwen (PC)". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ a b Nunneley-Jackson, Stephany (5 December 2015). "Trine-developer announces stealth-action adventure game Shadwen". VG247. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (5 May 2016). "Trine dev's stealth adventure Shadwen gets a release date". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Croft, Liam (13 October 2020). "Why Shadwen Won't Be Backwards Compatible on PS5". Push Square. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Shadwen critic reviews (PC)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Shadwen critic reviews (PS4)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Schmädig, Benjamin (25 May 2016). "Test: Shadwen (PC)". 4Players (in German). 4Players GmbH. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ a b Parlock, Joe (17 May 2016). "Review: Shadwen (PC)". Destructoid. Gamurs. Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Review: Shadwen (PS4)". GamesMaster. Future plc. July 2016. p. 79.
- ^ Chalk, Andy (27 May 2016). "Shadwen review". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ McCormick, John Cal (22 May 2016). "Shadwen Review". Push Square. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Tassani, Marco (17 May 2016). "Shadwen Recensione PC PS4". The Games Machine (in Italian). Aktia srl. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ GameCentral (18 May 2016). "Shadwen review – adventures in babysitting (PS4)". Metro. DMG Media. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2024.