Shadow Warrior 3

Did You Know?

• Devolver Digital officially announced Shadow Warrior 3 on 6 July 2020.
• A definitive edition was released alongside the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions, featuring a new difficulty mode, 60 FPS performance mode, and 4K visual modes.

Story

After Lo Wang accidentally released an ancient dragon, global civilization was nearly wiped out by the dragon and demonic beings. Wang, depressed over his failure, becomes a recluse until his former nemesis Orochi Zilla convinces him to fight. They seek the witch Motoko, who knows a way to defeat the dragon using residual energy in Hoji's mask. Hoji guides Wang to a Chi cannon meant to destroy the dragon, but Hoji plans to use it to drain the dragon's power and become a god. The dragon swallows the cannon. After confronting Hoji, Wang, Hoji, Zilla, and Motoko work together. Wang sends Motoko's tanuki familiar as explosive bait, but it fails. Wang then jumps into the dragon's mouth and activates the Chi cannon from inside, killing the dragon. With Hoji and Zilla's help, Wang escapes, and they celebrate with Motoko and the tanuki's ghost.

Development

Shadow Warrior 3 was developed by Polish studio Flying Wild Hog. Game designer Paweł Kowalewski described it as an upgraded version of the 2013 reboot, over-the-top and making players feel overpowered. New movement options were added so players could move freely like a ninja from anime, allowing more vertical combat arenas. Many systems from Shadow Warrior 2, such as weapon stats, procedurally generated maps, and character progression, were streamlined or removed to let players focus on action. The team drew inspiration from Japanese and Chinese cultures and aimed to modernize Lo Wang with more backstory and mature humor.

Reception

Shadow Warrior 3 received mixed or average reviews on Metacritic. IGN praised its feel and short runtime but called it unremarkable and straightforward. Hardcore Gamer reviewed it favorably, citing its warranted excess and chaotic flow. PC Gamer was more mixed, criticizing Lo Wang's dialogue as tasteless and embarrassing. Shacknews praised movement, enemies, weapons, and technical performance but panned the presentation, narrative, campaign design, chromatic aberration effect, and lack of co-op and HDR support. Game Informer liked that the game did not take itself seriously but criticized a lack of variety due to repetitive grunts. Rock Paper Shotgun enjoyed the finisher mechanic but disliked Lo Wang's one-liners as overly cocky and unfunny.