Review: Shadow of the Orient

Shadow of the Orient is a 2D action-adventure platformer.

Games-Review-Análises-Conquistas-Achievements

GAMEPLAY / VISUAL

The gameplay mechanics in Shadow of the Orient feel somewhat imprecise. Often, players need to chase down enemies to engage them, and the hitbox isn't as fair as it could be. The game includes secret passages and other elements that add a certain charm to the experience.

The visuals and animations are decent, with a strong influence from oriental culture.

One standout aspect is the weapon design: throughout the game, players find different equipment, such as swords, which change how they face enemies. The weight of the sword, for example, directly affects gameplay, requiring adaptation from the player—a welcome detail that could be explored more in other games.

ACHIEVEMENTS

At the time of this review, Shadow of the Orient did not have achievements available on Xbox for evaluation. Therefore, this section is based on the Steam achievements. As we always emphasize, being a channel focused on achievements, it is frustrating to see the game following the classic combo that all achievement hunters dislike: excessive collectibles.

Among the challenges are collecting hundreds of scattered items, such as lost children, chests, or secret areas. This kind of design shows a certain lack of creativity in crafting achievements, something we've pointed out many times before. Even players who genuinely enjoy an indie title like this rarely feel motivated to go for 100% completion when achievements are solely collectible-based. Ideally, achievements should focus on gameplay challenges, encouraging exploration and mastery in a more engaging and rewarding way.

TRAILER OFFICIAL

RESUME

Shadow of the Orient is a simple title that could have benefited from better-refined mechanics. If its gameplay had been more polished, the final experience would have been much more satisfying, especially within its genre. Overall, the game delivers a decent experience with an interesting visual style, though it strongly resembles a mobile game.