During the exciting E3 2023 announcements, one unexpected surprise captured the attention of gaming enthusiasts: the unveiling of a Shadows of the Damned remaster. Grasshopper Manufacture, the developer behind the game, made the announcement through its social channels, creating a buzz among fans eagerly awaiting a modern port of the beloved PS3 and Xbox 360 shooter.
While an official release date has yet to be confirmed, it is expected that the Shadows of the Damned remaster will launch on platforms including PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and possibly last-gen consoles as well. The darkly comedic teaser trailer provides a glimpse into the game’s protagonist, Garcia Hotspur, storming the Grasshopper offices and engaging in some over-the-top action by shooting a staff member out the window.
The teaser concludes with a clever twist, as the fallen staff member’s glasses project a message into the sky, announcing a Grasshopper Direct broadcast scheduled for June 14 at 9 pm PST (June 15 at 12 am EST / 6 am BST).
Originally co-produced by industry luminaries Suda51 (Goichi Suda) (known for Killer7 and No More Heroes) and Shinji Mikami (known for Resident Evil and The Evil Within) and published by Electronic Arts, Shadows of the Damned faced challenges in finding a wider audience upon its release in 2011. However, it developed a dedicated following thanks to its unique revenge-driven narrative and satisfying shooting mechanics.
Over the years, Suda51 has expressed frustrations about the game’s troubled development. In his book, The Art of Grasshopper Manufacture, he discusses how his creative vision for the game clashed with EA’s expectations, resulting in multiple plot rewrites to meet the publisher’s demands.
Suda further explored Shadows of the Damned’s history in his 2019 game, Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes, where the protagonist of Shadows, Garcia, made an appearance, providing fans with a bittersweet moment of connection.
With the remaster announcement, Shadows of the Damned gets another chance to shine. While specific details about the changes and enhancements introduced in the remaster remain undisclosed, fans hope that Suda’s involvement will inject the passion and creativity he originally envisioned, free from publisher interference.
In other eerie news, the Summer Game Fest presentation also unveiled a new trailer for Alan Wake 2, showcasing in-game events for the first time, further exciting fans of the atmospheric thriller franchise.
As gamers eagerly await more information about the Shadows of the Damned remaster, these announcements highlight the ongoing revival of beloved titles and the anticipation surrounding the future of gaming.
