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The year 2014 wasn’t exactly overflowing with classic action RPGs (ARPGs). While titles like The Adventure of Van Helsing II and the then-beta Grim Dawn offered some respite, the genre was still largely dominated by giants like Diablo III, Path of Exile, and Torchlight II. Into this landscape stepped Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms, a sequel to the relatively obscure Kult: Heretic Kingdoms, hoping to carve its own niche rather than overthrow the established order. Does this journey between worlds offer enough to capture players’ attention? Let’s delve into the light and shadow of Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms.

What Makes Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms Shine

Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms Gameplay

Classic ARPG with a Twist

At first glance, Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms appears to be another Diablo clone. The top-down perspective, click-heavy combat, skill trees, cooldown-based abilities, and dungeon-crawling gameplay all feel familiar. However, Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms offers more than just a rehash of established tropes.

Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms CharactersThe game weaves a unique narrative within a standard fantasy setting. The story begins with Carissa, a member of the Penta Nera cult, consumed by shadowy entities known as Devourers. A mysterious hooded figure, also a Penta Nera member, summons a Devourer capable of absorbing and controlling multiple souls. This sets the stage for the game’s core mechanic.

As the Devourer, players navigate the Shadow Realm, a dark reflection of the mortal world. To achieve their goal of eliminating their “kindred,” the Devourer must resurrect lost souls and bring them back to the mortal realm as “puppets.”

Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms Shadow RealmWith the ability to control up to three puppets, Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms offers dynamic and engaging combat. Players seamlessly switch between characters, adapting their strategies on the fly. Using a tank to protect a weakened goblin while the Devourer farms enemies and absorbs Essence for healing is all accomplished with a single button press.

Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms Dual WorldsThe Shadow Realm isn’t just a combat tool; it adds intriguing narrative layers. A seemingly simple side quest in the mortal realm might involve throwing a chest down a well for a shady character. However, visiting the Shadow Realm reveals the ghost of the man’s murdered wife, hidden within the chest, offering a new path for completing the quest. This simple mechanic adds depth to both gameplay and storytelling.

Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms CombatAnother notable feature is the shared experience, inventory, and Essence pool between the Devourer and puppets. This eliminates the need to worry about individual character progression. Furthermore, skills are governed by cooldowns, similar to MOBAs, rather than traditional mana systems. The focus remains on managing health and Essence, with a simplified healing mechanic activated by pressing the spacebar, further streamlining combat.

Where Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms Falters

Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms Story

A Disjointed Narrative

While the game’s initial storytelling is strong and effectively conveys the core premise, the narrative becomes increasingly disjointed. Key plot points are introduced with minimal explanation, leaving the player feeling lost. The story’s intentional ambiguity, rather than intriguing, feels haphazard and lacking direction. Questions about The Oracle, their purpose, and their constant mention without proper context create more confusion than intrigue. The first chapter concludes abruptly, leaving the player wondering what just happened.

Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms Grinding

A Grind That Induces Sleep

The grinding aspect of Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms is remarkably slow. Leveling takes an excruciatingly long time, even with diligent completion of side quests. Despite ample opportunities to farm enemies, experience points trickle in at a glacial pace. The time between levels is long enough to encourage a nap.

Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms LootThe loot system is equally disappointing. Instead of exciting rewards, most drops are mundane. Finding complete armor sets through loot is a rare occurrence, making purchasing gear a necessity. Even finding a powerful weapon is often a letdown, as it might be unusable due to class restrictions. Crafting materials are equally scarce. The loot cycle primarily consists of breaking containers for meager amounts of currency, occasionally supplemented by slightly larger sums from defeating higher-level enemies.

Conclusion

Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms offers a unique ARPG experience with its innovative puppet system and dual-world gameplay. However, its disjointed narrative and tedious grind detract from the overall enjoyment. While the game carves its own path, it ultimately falls short of its potential.