{"id":184803,"date":"2022-03-04T10:43:28","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T09:43:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=184803"},"modified":"2025-07-01T20:54:39","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T03:54:39","slug":"shadow-warrior-3-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/shadow-warrior-3-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Shadow Warrior 3 review | Intense action FPS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Shadow Warrior 3<\/a> is a first-person shooter action game<\/strong> developed by Flying Wild Hog and published by Devolver Digital. It was officially publically launched on March 1, 2022. It features the return of protagonist Lo Wang <\/strong>as she takes on the Evil Dragon in a world that\u2019s nearly completely destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is the FPS action game worth buying? How do you play it, and what are the visuals and sounds like? Is SW3 multiplayer, and is it open world? For the answers to these questions and more, enjoy our Shadow Warrior 3 review<\/strong> below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shadow Warrior 3 story<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to Shadow Warrior 1<\/a> <\/strong>and Shadow Warrior 2<\/strong><\/a>, or even the original of 1997, I must admit up front that I haven\u2019t played any of them. I\u2019m entering the series with fresh eyes from the third installment. Even so, there\u2019s enough exposition at the start of the game to show me what\u2019s going on. It seems you don\u2019t really need to play the others<\/strong> to catch up on the central plot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a quick look at some information on previous titles, Shadow Warrior 3 is a sequel from past tales<\/strong>, so there\u2019s a sense of continuation at least. Here\u2019s what I enjoyed the most from the story elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Shadow<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

An ancient lore<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shadow Warrior 3 begins with protagonist Lo Wang<\/strong> crying about how everything went wrong, the world around him destroyed by the Evil Dragon<\/strong>. There are some flashbacks<\/strong>, which you get to play as a tutoria<\/strong>l before you head out to find a way to defeat the massive beast. It\u2019s a quick way to get you up to speed with what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the game progresses, you meet some interesting characters <\/strong>along the way. While most of the chapters focus on combat and action, there\u2019s some witty banter<\/strong> along the way you\u2019ll enjoy. Lo Wang even sings his own versions of popular songs, which had me giggling plenty of times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Shadow<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Characters, weapons, and beasts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One aspect I really love about games is a bestiary or a list of items and characters<\/strong>. It\u2019s one of the many reasons I love Diablo 3<\/a> <\/strong>so much. Back to the Shadow Warrior 3 review, it also contains plenty of lore<\/strong> for you to browse. You can check details on the main characters, the creatures you face, and the weapons at your disposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like most games that have these elements, you\u2019ll only unlock the details<\/strong> once you encounter them in the game. You\u2019ll receive a notification that there\u2019s new info available in your inventory, with a shortcut you can quickly click on. Thankfully, SW3 pauses as you do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Shadow<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Linear world and progression<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Due to the gameplay elements, that we\u2019ll get to later in this review, there\u2019s only linear progression<\/strong> and no open-world elements<\/strong>. As you run and enter new areas, the story unfolds further, revealing what you need to do next. It would have been more exciting to explore at will and find interesting artifacts along the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, the linear story and gameplay<\/strong> work well for how the developer created SW3. Each area presents new creatures and an addition to the main plot. Don\u2019t expect side quests<\/strong>, though, which is, unfortunately, lacking in the game. However, it\u2019s primarily due to the gameplay mechanics and that there\u2019s enough content to keep you busy<\/strong> and happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How long to play Shadow Warrior 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In total, Shadow Warrior 3 has 11 stages<\/strong> for you to work through. With no side quests, and if you\u2019re incredibly good at fighting, you can complete the FPS action game within 8 to 11 hours<\/strong>. We expect to see several speed runs on YouTube as gamers attempt to set records for the fastest times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shadow Warrior 3 gameplay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s analyze the gameplay aspects of Shadow Warrior 3. In some ways, SW3 reminds me of DOOM Eternal<\/strong><\/a> with its fast-paced action shooting<\/strong> and creature design. It\u2019s also similar to Prince of Persia<\/a> <\/strong>with wall running <\/strong>and environmental actions. Finally, there are aspects akin to Mortal Kombat<\/strong><\/a>, which I\u2019ll touch on soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning how to play Shadow Warrior 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you start the game, there\u2019s a quick tutorial<\/strong> for players who have never played a Shadow Warrior title in the series. You\u2019ll learn the basic functions and abilities, which will help you when you begin the first chapter. Pay attention to what they tell you<\/strong>, as the action can quickly distract you from the key tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you progress, you\u2019ll unlock new weapons and abilities<\/strong>. Shadow Warrior 3 continues to teach you how to use these<\/strong>, giving you the recipe for success. Like DOOM Eternal, a new gun or sword invariably ends up with an arena where you get to test the abilities and combat with them before moving on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abilities and levels<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While fighting and destroying monsters, you\u2019ll discover these balls of energy <\/strong>that will give you points to level up your abilities<\/strong>. It\u2019s less focused on experience and more on finding these items in predetermined locations. You\u2019ll then head to the inventory to allocate them to your character, skills, or weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s doesn\u2019t appear to be any strategy to how you apply these points<\/strong>. You won\u2019t fail missions because you allocated them to a katana blade instead of your Chi power. However, take some time to see how the levels affect your power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Shadow<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Blades and bullets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The part I enjoyed the best for this Shadow Warrior 3 review was the combat. You have a choice between your sword and guns<\/strong>, and I preferred the former. One button uses melee combat, while another uses firearms. There\u2019s a quick switch option for the guns, but you can only change between two of them at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to alter which two you use, you can access the weapon wheel<\/strong>. I also loved that killing with the sword unleashed ammo while fighting with the gun aids your health. You\u2019ll quickly discover which is better to use when you see which beasts you\u2019ll end up confronting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Shadow<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Finish it!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mortal Kombat <\/strong>fans will quickly recognize a few game elements<\/strong> that found their way into SW3. For one, the spear looks remarkably similar to the one that Scorpion uses. When you unlock it, you\u2019ll happily grapple onto rings to move between platforms or on enemies to draw them closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1iaMDufqpOqHX0tV__EUuJAec8IVTFEMWH7Ml8J9egRU\/edit?usp=sharing\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The finishing moves<\/strong> also had me grinning from ear to ear. The one was incredibly close to an MK fatality, ripping the head and spine off the body <\/strong>and then squashing it into a million pieces. Another has you ripping an eye out and then using it as a cryo bomb on opponents to freeze them. Sub-Zero, anyone?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Shadow<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Outsmarting Opponents<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another aspect I completely loved in Shadow Warrior 3 also appears in DOOM Eternal<\/strong>. Each creature and opponent has a specific way you can kill them. At the start, it\u2019s as easy as chopping and blasting<\/strong> them away. As you progress, it becomes slightly more challenging, but it\u2019s easier when you know how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, there\u2019s a floating head that\u2019s covered in metal armor. When you shoot or hit it, no harm is done. However, you can freely hurt it when it opens up its face<\/strong> to attack you. The best part is that most of these monsters have special items<\/strong> for you when you use a finishing move. This helmet gives you a disco bomb that kills everyone around you with its lasers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gameplay performance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I reviewed Shadow Warrior 3 on Windows 11 with a PC that meets the recommended requirements. If you want to play with 60 fps<\/strong>, you\u2019ll need the following on your system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n