From the Hip: Viscera Cleanup Detail: Shadow Warrior
Platforms: PC
Reviewed on: PC
Reviewer: Maiyannah Bishop
Review Play-Time: 111m
Developer: Rune Storm
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Released: 2021-05-21
Review Published: 2014-07-01
+ Probably the best design in the Viscera Cleanup
Detail lineup
+ Interesting simulator take
- Very much a niche product
Viscera Cleanup Detail: Shadow Warrior is a cross-promotional entry in the Viscera Cleanup Detail series made by RuneStorm in association with Flying Wild Hog and published by Devolver Digital. This will be a short-form review because we covered the core mechanics of the series in our review of the first game in the series, you can read about said here.
VCD: Shadow Warrior is probably the most polished of the three VCD entries, featuring the assets and a level from Shadow Warrior. It is a great little level full of recognisable bits from the Shadow Warrior game. There's a "Funk Ninja" radio that plays theme from the game. And the little level that is presented is familiar and well designed. It is small but looks great and plays great. My one comment I'd have is that it's a relatively easy entry: there's none of the little hidden bits that get players swearing in the other two games, or the explosive fun of the dynamite or the like from Santa's Rampage. It's a good entry point to the series, a place to cut one's teeth before going on to the other, meatier (and gorier!) games.
The one thing different in Shadow Warrior other than the extreme level of polish that's present in the game, is the fact that the player character is given voice acting, which is rather well done and I enjoyed, though I can see it getting old once the little quips start repeating. Nonetheless it helps add some additional character to the game.
