Shadowgrounds Survivor

Category:

Top-Down Shooter

Platforms:

Released:

2007

My Experience:

Beat the game in 4 hours (played a couple Survivor missions too)

Rating:

Should Play

Overview

Shadowgrounds Survivor takes place during the time line of the original Shadowgrounds, but it follows three new characters and requires no previous-knowledge of the original game to enjoy. Each character uses different weapons and has different upgrades. There are character upgrades (more health, shield, bigger bombs) and weapon upgrades (more damage, alternate fire). The same few alien types are found in this game, but their attacking is more intense. You will constantly be on the run fighting multiple enemies, dodging their attacks. The game also includes Survival Modes and Offline Co-Op.

Review

The single player campaign may be short, but it is exciting all the way through. Each character plays differently, and the upgrades allow for even more unique play. The game camera/controls can be set to the original layout (where you always look straight ahead), but by default they are in the new standard top-down layout where the camera stays still so you can quickly shoot in any direction. The new camera format allows for more intense fighting and a more exciting look.

New features also allow for continued play beyond the single player campaign. Each level has a secret item that will unlock a cheat code, and Survival modes give you a chance to fight endless waves of enemies; sometimes while having to protect an object.

Shadowgrounds Survivor is much better than its predecessor, unfortunately the original game's poor quality has turned people away from the series. I recommend you buy this game if top-down alien shooters interest you.

The Good

Fun, somewhat varied campaign
Decent replay value

The Bad

The game crashed multiple times forcing me to replay levels (but they didn't take long)
I couldn't get a good controller configuration made, so I used the keyboard and mouse (this game was made before the large system-crossover of top-down-shooters)

Quick Tips

Keep the cursor close to your character to allow for quick directional-change shooting
Avoid the 'Auto Heal' upgrade, you should be able to manage health yourself
Purchase weapon upgrades that do more damage to conserve ammo and quickly kill the enemy
Health packs will only stock up if you have full health, don't pick up a health pack if you are only down 10hp

Shadowgrounds
Trine

Media

*Note that all videos use the 'classic' view instead of the new one.
Quick Marine Play - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdwCm0_DXKc
Quick Pyro Play - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYS85xsfKCs
Quick Sniper Play - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXj1T0sRRR4
Long Marine Play - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpDwXcysbDE