Shadows: Awakening – A Soul-Devouring Journey Through the Abyss

If you are a fan of isometric Action RPGs, the kind that defined the golden age of Titan Quest or Diablo, you’ve probably been keeping an eye on Shadows: Awakening. After spending dozens of hours with it (many of which were back in the Beta phase), I finally completed my journey through its dark, puppet-controlled world.

It’s an ambitious title from Games Farm that brings some refreshing mechanics to the table, though it isn’t without its growing pains. Here is my take on this soul-swapping epic.

The Premise: Puppets and Shadows

In Shadows: Awakening, you take on the role of a Devourer, a demon capable of consuming the souls of long-dead warriors and manifesting them as “puppets” in the mortal realm. This isn’t just lore; it’s the core of the gameplay. You constantly shift between the Shadow Realm, where you see the world through the Devourer’s eyes, and the Mortal Realm, where your puppets take the stage to dish out damage.

Gameplay: The Art of the Swap

One of the most satisfying aspects is the early-game choice. Much like the opening chapter of Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, you choose a soul to devour first. This sets your initial playstyle: are you a ranged archer, a heavy-hitting melee warrior, or a master of the arcane?

I’m an archer main at heart, and the bow mechanics here feel punchy and satisfying. The beauty of this system is that as you progress, you unlock more puppets. You can swap between them on the fly, creating tactical synergies. Need a tank to soak up damage while you reposition to land a critical shot with your archer? Just one button press and the swap is instantaneous.

A quick warning: If you suffer from arachnophobia, be prepared. The early game is infested with spiders. I’d love to see the developers add a “low-detail” or alternative texture mode for those who struggle with this, as it can be a real barrier to entry for some players.

Combat, AI, and Tactics

The combat is generally fluid, but the AI can be a double-edged sword. When you’re locked in a 1-on-1 fight, the puppet combat feels tight and reactive. However, the Devourer’s unique ability to strike fear into enemies sometimes backfires, they end up running away, forcing you to chase them down like a bored detective.

There’s also an odd “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” logic. While faction combat exists and enemies occasionally attack each other, they will abandon their grudge the moment you step into range, banding together to crush you. It feels a bit unfair, and frankly, trying to bait them into killing each other is a slow, tedious grind I eventually gave up on.

Content and Replayability

Shadows: Awakening doesn’t skimp on content. You’re looking at a solid 50 hours for a full run. The game is divided into three major narrative arcs, and depending on your chosen path and how you treat the souls you consume, the story evolves in different directions.

The environment is rich with breakable objects (my favorite kind of loot box), but the world can feel massive to a fault. Some side quests involve the classic “go from point A to point B, then back to A” trope, which can make the pacing drag if you’re feeling a bit completionist.

The Verdict

I’m giving Shadows: Awakening an 8/10.

It’s the first title I’ve played from Games Farm, and they’ve managed to capture that Titan Quest magic I’ve missed for so long. It’s a highly polished, addictive experience that rewards tactical switching and exploration. While the pacing issues and the “bandwagon” enemy AI can be frustrating, the core loop is incredibly satisfying.

Pros:

• Deep Customization: Starting with different soul paths encourages multiple playthroughs.
• Tactical Swapping: The puppet system makes combat feel like a puzzle you solve with steel and magic.
• Atmospheric Storytelling: Hearing your puppets bicker and interact as you traverse the battlefield adds real personality to the adventure.

Cons:

• Pacing: The sheer scale of the maps can lead to repetitive backtracking for side quests.
• Enemy AI: Banding together against the player makes strategic environmental combat less viable than it should be.
• Entry Barrier: The arachnid-heavy early game might turn away some players.

Should you play it? If you love ARPGs and are looking for something with a bit more mechanical depth than your average hack-and-slash, absolutely. The only real hurdle is the price point, keep an eye out for a sale if you’re on the fence.

You can check the game on steam here.