A fun twist to the samurai genre

Shadow Warrior 3 is a single-player action game from Flying Wild Hog. In this demo version of a survival experience, you play as Lo Wang, described as a “fallen corporate shogun” who must recapture an ancient menace they unwittingly released. This game features a healthy mix of urban and traditional design choices plus irreverent humor courtesy of its main characters.

Its visual aesthetics make Shadow Warrior a brighter, less-serious alternative to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Additionally, the new gameplay mechanics introduced in this game resemble those of Assassin’s Creed Unity or Watch Dogs.

Bring a katana to a gunfight

Shadow Warrior 3 features a mix of modern and ancient technology and magic. One significant improvement in this game is its introduction of a wide range of movement options. Lo Wang can now run on walls, do double jumps, and dash mid-air. Consequently, enemy behavior is also smoother and more complex, forcing you to use these new movements to pace around them.

As with the previous entries in the franchise, you get to use a wide variety of weapons. The more you progress in the game, the more firearms you get to unlock. Additionally, you also have a katana you can use for melee combat. Additionally, the game simplifies its experience similar to Sekiro that lets players focus on the action without worrying about complex statistics.

Since the game features a more modernized Lo Wang, expect the same level of humor as seen in previous iterations of the game. This means mature content in language and themes are present, mostly not suitable for younger players. Additionally, the game features heavy and realistic gore. However, players of the right age groups can enjoy the dialogues and the visual treat that the game offers.

A worthy franchise carrier

By simplifying the gameplay experience, adding new movement options, and its commitment to its unique sense of humor proves that Shadow Warrior 3 is ready to take the franchise to the next level. More than its “Neo-Feudal Japan” aesthetic, its introduction of freerunning elements make the most out of the new technology with fluid animation and more versatile gameplay options. This is an action-adventure experience to watch out for.