Oct 2017
Imagine a world where you think you're just going to grab a snack from a local convenience store, only to stumble into a kaiju brawl in the middle of the street. Welcome to City Shrouded in Shadow, where your biggest question isn’t ‘What’s for dinner?’ but ‘Should I run or hide?’ This delightful cocktail of panic and mayhem puts you in the shoes of a hapless civilian trying to escape a city hell-bent on destruction—all while trying to avoid the leg of a giant monster. Grab your snacks and let’s dive in!
City Shrouded in Shadow is essentially a survival game where your primary goal is to avoid becoming a kaiju snack. You can choose to play as either Ken Misaki or Miharu Matsuhara (who you can even rename because who doesn't want to have a personal stake in escaping a city of giant monsters?). The gameplay flows through a series of levels, traversing the fictional Ichi City, which is currently auditioning for the leading role in a monster movie, complete with kaiju, robots, and all the disaster scenarios that come with it. As you run, hide, and panic, the game kicks in with a series of scripted events. There are precise moments when you must make critical decisions—do you hop into that suspicious blue sedan or wait for a giant monster to stomp past? Do you save your friend Yuki or save yourself (because let’s face it, self-preservation is vital)? It’s a gut-wrenching blend of choices; you’d think it’d be a well-crafted narrative, but the reality is: it’s more about dodging destruction and praying you’re faster than the slowest friend in the group! Combat is minimal, and survival techniques largely consist of running and hiding behind anything that may or may not be explosion-resistant. The AI-controlled monsters range from indifferent (they'll trample you without a care) to actively malevolent (there’s nothing like a giant robot with anger issues chasing you through an alley). Plus, those twenty-seven character endings represent a web of choices that will keep players engaged long after they've fled the city.
Visually, City Shrouded in Shadow packs quite a punch, albeit a quirky one. The graphics harness the Orochi 3 engine, which means you get dynamic environments and a fair amount of destructibility, paving the way for immersive chaos at every turn. You'll witness Ichi City’s vibrant streets morph into rubble, providing unexpected moments of beauty amidst the swirling panic. Character models are sharp, and the level of detail given to the massive monsters is commendable. Just wait until that brawny Godzilla or the elegantly terrifying Mothra raises its head; their towering presence genuinely makes you feel like a speck. The animations can sometimes be a tad sticky (after all, when have kaiju ever been nimble?), but the overall aesthetic fits snugly into the world of Japanese tokusatsu, giving nostalgic vibes mixed with creepy undertones that scream 'run!' or 'hide!' depending on the moment. While it won't win awards for realism, its stylization captures the madcap disaster genre nicely, making every level feel like a frantic scramble that had a loving hand from those who appreciate the kaiju genre's campy charm.
City Shrouded in Shadow stands as a tribute to the titanic battles of the kaiju genre, melding survival gameplay with an absurd sense of humor. Though it may not be for everyone (if you prefer calm meditation over panic-induced heart races, maybe sit this one out), it offers a unique experience laced with charming ridiculousness. You will laugh, shout, and question your life choices, all while trying to outrun a city in chaos. If you’re willing to embrace a world where your worst fears could be a giant robot or a rampaging Godzilla, grab your PS4 and prepare to immerse yourself in a delightful disaster zone. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to stock up on snacks before I dive back in—chaos waits for no one!
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