You should know that i was very hesitant about getting rhis Game at first. It had always been there on the shelf but I continued to overlook it. Finally, and thankfully, I went to my local game shop one day to find that there was nothing that I wanted to buy. I decided to give Shadowman a chance. I'm glad I did, it is one of the best action/adventure games you can buy.

First, as always, the graphics are incredible. You have to see the way the visuals create a mood in this game. It is like actually playing a nightmare. When you start off you are in a swamp surrounding a churchyard that is teeming with dogs and alligators and various wildlife, including swarms of flies that look dead on real. The sun is shining, water glistens, and every model and texture is nearly photorealistic, seriously. Tou will effectively get the same sensation you would if you were actually there. A strong, uneasy, its calm now but what is that thing lurking around the corner type of feeling. As the game progresses the environments grow more dark and creepy and you will experience each and everyone like never before. I will tell you that lter on in the game there are levels that take the cake as beingthe most frighteningand emotional parts ofany video game ever (i.e. In one stage you will find yourself in a haunted, vacant house. Walk toward one of the dark rooms and you will hear what sounds like a bad recording of people being tortured growing stronger as you approach... walk in the pitch dark room to find a ghastly sight tht will shock you. A corpse of a man is sitting in a chair beside a table in the dark and there is a flashlight on the table that is shining on him, you can see that flies swarm around his head and he has a little radio in his lap playing the recorded tortures. It is creepy as sh*t.) I had to throw that in there. Play this game in the dark. It makes RE:CV look like an episode of Barney and Friends. Scary as hell. Beautiful.

The sound effects in Shadowman are also working overtime to scare the bejezzus out of you. Quiet moans in the distance, water tricling and splashing about, flames quietly crackling, awesome character voices. There is one part where, in the background, you can plainly hear a baby laughing... listen closely and youll hear a drill being put into the babys skull and something spills out, the baby makes a little noise and a mad woman laughs histerically. All this while jack-in-the-box music is beingpiped in to the levels rooms. You have to hear it. Trust me it will freak you out.

I cantbegin to describe the countless ties I actuallt felt an eerie feeling while I played this game.

Now for the gameplay. In the beginning the gameplay seems unfamiliar and can be awkward. Once you complete the first part ofthe game it will be easily mastered. Now that you've got the hang of it, its perfect. Great control and character movement. You will discover all sorts of new tricks and techniques during play that will require yo to hone your joystick skills even more. By the end ofthe game, if you make it (its hard as hell), you will a pro at killing that which is already dead.

Well this game has a lot to offer. Great gameplay, hard puzzles, objects galore, exellent graphics, convincing sound effects, and also a great storyline. I'm not going to spoil anything for you but trust me you will be quickly drawn into a world of hellish images and nightmarish beings.

In the end you have a greatgame here. It is a PC port but you won't notice. This is a deep, beautifully done game. It will take forever to complete, you will be frightened several times, and it is very, very challenging. the list of selling points goes on and on. Dont do what I did and wait until theres nothing else on the shelf to get this masterpiece. Do yourself a favor and go get your hands on one of the best games the DC has to offer. -JS