215906
Oh boy, what an experience THIS game was. (Just some backstop here, ignore this paragraph if you want to read the review) I was really hopeful for it, I've been a fan of Shadow fight since 2's original launch. Shadow fight 2 was and still is the best Shadow fight game in the series, and probably the only one I suggest playing. When I heard, "Shadow fight 4 will be a pvp based game" I was STOKED, I was a decently good player and it was interesting to hear that I could 1v1 my friend!
Then the game launched, and it kind of sucked. I reached about top 10% (average team total 10%, getting top 8% with Ironclad and Lang)
Music Is great, still made by Lind Erebos. Not my favorite in the series but still decent. Lost its heavy guitar/rock aesthetic in favor for more ambiance/traditional music.
Art's great, looks visually stunning!
Gameplay is a huge flop however. If you like fighters, you'll HATE this game. This will probably be a lot of jargon for people that aren't into fighters heavily, sorry.
First, there's no counterplay for downed players. You have a regular getup, a roll in either direction, and a kick towards the player. No quick getup means you basically get a second free attack on a downed person, since the kick is SO SLOW it never comes out in time to protect you. So getting downed at low health is just a guaranteed suck.
Second, blocking is automatic. This means players automatically block ALL hits. This will make sense later.
Third, there's no counter throw. A throw happens, and you as the receiver can do nothing but get thrown then hit again because going down guarantees a free hit for the enemy.
These 3 points combine to create a game that actively works AGAINST aggressive playstyles, encouraging what's basically guile hurtling the game. 90% of mid-high ladder is players poking each other and getting chip damage until one side overextends, gets punished, and repeat this until one dies. In fact, it's so bad, corner camping is quite literally the best strategy in the game!
So what does Nekki do? Change fundamentals? Make the game better? No. Nekki adds new PREMIUM characters that have to be unlocked via basically a gacha system. Characters with block breaks, or more aggressive playstyles to counter defensive players. For the f2p players, this will likely never be achieved, and you're stuck playing at a disadvantage!
Oh, and don't forget they need to make a profit with you playing this. So they added cosmetics and skins that increase stats (the best skins just being a flat 5-10% stat buff) and add character levels that increase stats by ~20-50% per level. Traits, the things that enhance the special qualities of each character, are also locked behind a currency nearly impossible to find. Originally, they scaled with level, but Nekki realized they'd be able to milk more out of their playerbase making it separate.
Then, Nekki has the audacity to call it a "skill based arena fighter", like they don't blatantly make it P2W.
The PvE missions are also nearly impossible, dictated entirely by RNG Modifiers you can choose from between rounds. Can only play 5 until you need to refill, conveniently using their premium currency to do so. Because you can't wait a few HOURS, can you? Can Also watch ads to revive characters in the inevitable chance you get slain from fighting 10 enemies back to back with virtually no healing, and a boss at the end.
God I have so much rage for what could have been an amazing game, gone bad by terrible game design & corporate greed.
TL;DR: Graphics and music great, god awful gameplay, balance, and f2p experience.
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