Shadowgrounds

Released

Release Date: November 4, 2005

Action, FPP, Science Fiction, Isometric View, Shooters, Singleplayer

In Shadowgrounds, Finland's debut project by Finnish company Frozenbyte, the player will play the role of colonists who have to face a horde of strangers attacking an outpost in Ganimedes. In many respects, the whole thing refers to the legendary production of Team 17 called Alien Breed - only that its performance is 21st century.

8.2

Steam

7.6

Users

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Ratings

 Videos: 1 

Images: 16 

Shadowgrounds brings fresh air to the action genre with its unique perspective, explosive action sequences, innovative weapon upgrade system and a well-developed story. Addictive gameplay and audiovisual fireworks set the scene for a near-future tale of epic heights.

Be prey to the vicious aliens - or prepare to strike back before it's too late!

Upgradeable weaponry

Use a devastating arsenal of high-tech weaponry to dispose of the alien threat. Each weapon has multiple upgrades that maximize the carnage. Examples include a pinpoint laser that cuts the aliens in half and and a railgun that fires wall-bouncing bullets - kill several aliens with only one shot! Check out more examples in Weapons & Upgrades.

Destructible environment

What good are weapons and special effects if you can't wreak havoc on the environment? Shadowgrounds lets you go all-out - glass shatters, ground shakes, trees fall, barrels explode and furniture blows to smithereens. Use the environment to your advantage.

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Stunning visuals and intensive atmosphere

Shadowgrounds uses cutting-edge realistic lighting and glow technology to light up the battlefield. Procedural texturing system enables virtually unlimited number of animatable effects such as water and lava. Lightmaps and dynamic lighting bring even more intensity to the environment. Together these technologies create an amazing atmosphere for the game.

Realistic lighting with gameplay effects

Realistic lighting looks great - but it is an important gameplay feature, too. Aliens react to light, which allows for unique combat movements. Point your flashlight straight into the eyes of the monsters and see what happens... Some aliens try to stay in the shadows right until they attack you and the great variation in alien species means you must not let your guard down at any time. Field reports have even indicated that there might be species that are only identified by their shadow - you can't see them in normal light. Watch out...

Bossfights!

Big, brutal monsters await you. Prepare to face many different bosses who will do anything to stop your journey. They are nasty, blood-thirsty beasts but don't give in to fear - remember to use the environment and the lighting to your advantage!

Epic storyline & interesting characters

Shadowgrounds has an intriguing and deep storyline. The player is not alone - many allies fight alongside him. Mission highlights include investigating alien origins, helping in rescue evacuation and setting up defense perimeters.

Thrilling sound environment

Shadowgrounds' breath-taking atmosphere is further enhanced by a thrilling soundtrack and realistic sound environment. The soundtrack has been designed to support the game's atmosphere perfectly. Frozenbyte has an in-house musician working full-time on the game's sound and music environment - the soundtrack has been in development for almost a year and features a diverse collection of music scores from many different genres.

Platforms:

PC Windows

Developer: Frozenbyte

Publisher: dtp AG / Anaconda

Similar Games:

Alien Shooter: Vengeance

Alien Shooter 2: Conscription

Zombie Shooter

Game Series

2GAMES

Shadowgrounds Game Series

Features

Downloads

Top downloads for Shadowgrounds Video Game:

All Downloads

System Requirements

System Requirements for Shadowgrounds Video Game:

PC / Windows

Recommended System Requirements:
Pentium 4 2 GHz, 512 MB RAM, graphic card 64MB (Geforce FX5900 or better), 1 GB HDD, Win 2000/XP.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Shadowgrounds Video Game.

82%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (1,579)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Engaging Combat: Players appreciate the solid and exciting gameplay, noting the fun and tactical nature of the top-down shooting mechanics.
Atmospheric Design: The game excels in creating a tense atmosphere through well-designed environments and effective use of lighting, enhancing immersion and tension during gameplay.
Variety of Weapons: There is a satisfying array of upgradeable weapons, allowing for strategic combat and customization.
Nostalgic Appeal: Many players find charm in the retro-style gameplay and cheesy sci-fi tropes, appreciating the throwback to classic gaming experiences.
Co-op Play: The option for single-computer co-op adds a social element to the experience.

The main cons of the game

Difficulty Level: Several players find the game to be unreasonably difficult, even on easier settings, which can lead to frustration.
Repetitive Gameplay: Some reviews mention that missions and encounters can feel repetitive, diminishing long-term engagement.
Lack of Save System: The absence of a mid-level save system is a significant point of frustration, forcing players to restart entire levels if they quit midway.
Bugs and Technical Issues: Users reported game-breaking bugs, including soft locks and crashes, particularly towards the end of the game.
Weak Story and Characters: The narrative is often described as bland, with minimal character development and cheesy dialogue that detracts from the overall experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Improved Save System: Players express a desire for a more flexible save system that allows for saving at any point during levels.
Refined Difficulty Balance: There is a call for better difficulty scaling, especially for casual players or those not seeking a hardcore challenge.
Enhanced Storytelling: Many users wish for a deeper narrative and character development to enrich the gameplay experience.
Bug Fixes and Polishing: Players indicate that the game could benefit from updates to address technical issues and enhance overall polish.

Summary

Overall, Shadowgrounds is viewed as a fun, albeit flawed, entry in the top-down shooter genre, with a mix of enjoyable gameplay elements and notable shortcomings that could be addressed in future iterations or updates.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025

7.6

USERS Score

Average score from votes.

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