HomeEventsPAX EAST 2016 | Bloody Chaos In "Shadow Warrior" Sequel

PAX EAST 2016 | Bloody Chaos In "Shadow Warrior" Sequel

Flying Wild Hog's 2013 reboot of Shadow Warrior was a massive hit with fans and critics alike, showcasing how to take a classic first-person shooter and give it the right kind of facelift. So how would the Poland-based developers manage to top it? Simple: by going all in with the insanity in the upcoming sequel Shadow Warrior 2.

At the Devolver Digital Booth -- where a sakura tree stood smack dab in the middle -- I was given the opportunity to dive into an early mission of Shadow Warrior 2. As Lo Wang I was tasked to find certain ingredients to create an antidote for a poisoned ally. Once I teleported into the area with the help of a deceased and smart-alecked ally, I found myself being surrounded by the nastiest of creatures who wanted me for dead and/or dinner. Luckily with a foray of blades and guns at my disposal, the once-thought outnumbered Lo Wang became the odds-on favorite to walk away from it all.

Shadow Warrior 2-2

The in-house Road Hog Engine didn't just get an upgrade; it had all its innards torn out and built from scratch. Its results in Shadow Warrior 2 were not only stunning, they were gobsmacking! Watching as I hacked away pieces of monsters and human enemies was a sight to behold, as arms, legs, and even the occasional torso was sent flying high into a pool of its own blood. In one instance I blew a sizable hole into one monster, and then proceeded to shoot again, hitting the creature that was standing behind it. No doubt about it: I was having the time of my life taking down these behemoths!

Flying Wild Hog may have on their hands a sequel that outdoes its predecessor in more ways than one. The graphics looked beautiful, with even the tiniest of details -- like the way the trees blow softly in the wind -- baring no expense. Its control scheme was very easy to conjure up, as the ability to switch weapons back-and-forth being as easy as cooking store-bought yakisoba for a buck. What's more: the option of four-player online co-op is looking to be an all-around guarantee that you and three friends are going to have a blast hacking and slashing your way through these wild lands.

Shadow Warrior 2 is due for release this year on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

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Contributing Editor at ESH since 2008, and host of the No Borders No Race podcast show, which began as a humble college radio program in 2006. My passion for discovering new bands, developers, and Japanese pop culture is what drives me to give you my all in every article published and every podcast recorded.