Shadow of the Orient Review: A Must-Play for Classic Action Fans!

Rating: 7.2
Author: Jim Smale

by Jim Smale · April 4, 2025

Shadow of the Orient Review – A thrilling 2D pixel art action platformer, this game immerses players in a beautifully crafted retro-inspired adventure filled with Samurai warriors, mythical creatures, and fast-paced combat. Playing as Xiaolang, a warrior wielding the elemental power of fire, you’ll battle fierce enemies, navigate hidden areas, and face the dark lord in an epic mission to rescue kidnapped children. But does this side-scrolling action gem truly stand out in the crowded indie scene? Keep reading as we dive into the gameplay, visuals, and whether Shadow of the Orient is worth adding to your collection.

Shadow Of The Orient Review Pros:

Decent pixel art graphics.
217.7MB download size.
Platinum trophy.
Two game difficulties – Easy and hard.
Game options – weapon auto-equip, and camera zoom have three levels.
Two game modes – adventure and speed runs.
The game has three acts to unlock, with each act having five stages and a boss fight.
Hidden collectible chests and civilians to rescue.
Each act has a counter of how many collectibles you have and out of how many.
In-game cutscenes and interactions.
2D action-platformer gameplay.
The opening level has tutorial signs.
Collect gems and coins from enemies, the level, and by breaking vases open.
You can double jump, crouch, low attack, wall climb, and do a combination to navigate the world.
Climbable walls in the background.
The levels have many secret areas and rooms to discover.
Familiar beat ’em up style combat with an emphasis on jumping over enemies to break line of sight.
You can see enemy health bars, and hearts can be picked up from vases.
Pick up new weapons, both melee and ranged. You can have two equipped at one time and swap with a button press.
Your HUD shows collectibles, and each gem and coin has a counter next to it, along with how many civilians you have rescued.
The oxygen meter pops up when in water.
It’s a retro-looking and sounding game with modern controls and mod cons.
It’s a lot of fun to play with the tight mix of platforming and fighting.
Collect and use timed power-ups.
End of stage breakdown.
There is a lot of replay value as you go back for rescuing children, finding the loot boxes, etc.
Fast loading times.
Plenty of checkpoints to trigger throughout a level.
Every attack is visceral and impactful; you just feel it.
I am very impressed with how in-depth the fighting is and how the levels are constructed.
It is very much a game about breaking eye contact with an enemy and doing them in.

Shadow Of The Orient Review Cons:

The tutorial signs are slow to appear.
You don’t get any real help in-game in regards to the actual controls and inputs.
Slight screen tearing throughout, and some backdrops show them off worse than others.
The jumping can take time as you jump off walls at an angle, and it’s something I found messes up jumps.
Every stage has you starting fresh, which is a bit annoying and just feels unnecessary.
Tedious platform sections do exist, and when you get one, you really hate it.
When the difficulty goes up, it becomes quite stressful.
Overall, the game is difficult, and no button-mashing is going to get you through.
Menus are clunky and not easy to go back in and out of.
Coins and gems fly out of enemies, meaning you can lose a load.
Checkpoints are far apart.

Shadow Of The Orient:

Official website.

Developer: Spacelab Games

Publisher: Spacelab Games

Store Links –

PlayStation

7/10

Graphics - 7/10
7/10

Sound - 7/10
7/10

Accessibility - 7/10
7/10

Length - 7/10
8/10

Fun Factor - 8/10

7.2/10

Summary

Shadow of the Orient delivers a nostalgic yet modern action-platformer experience that blends tight combat mechanics with exploration and discovery. The pixel-art graphics, while simple, create an appealing retro aesthetic, accompanied by modern gameplay conveniences such as weapon auto-equip and adjustable camera zoom. The game features two modes—adventure and speed runs—offering variety to suit different playstyles, while the three-act structure with hidden collectibles and rescue missions provides replayability and an incentive to revisit levels. Combat is fluid and impactful, with a beat ’em up style that encourages players to break line of sight with enemies, navigate environments with wall climbing and double jumps, and use both melee and ranged weapons to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield.

Despite its strengths, Shadow of the Orient does suffer from some frustrating elements. While the game does provide tutorial signs, they appear too slowly and fail to offer substantial guidance on controls and mechanics. The platforming, though enjoyable, can feel tedious at times, with jumps off walls requiring precise angles that can lead to repeated failures. The game’s difficulty spikes significantly, ensuring that button-mashing won’t be enough to survive tougher encounters, making certain sections stressful rather than enjoyable. Screen tearing is occasionally noticeable, particularly in specific backdrops, which can detract from the otherwise immersive experience. Additionally, the game’s menu navigation is clunky, and certain design choices, such as restarting fresh at the beginning of each stage, feel unnecessary and cumbersome.

Ultimately, Shadow of the Orient offers a thrilling action-platformer adventure packed with rewarding exploration, satisfying combat, and a compelling retro atmosphere. While some elements of its design may cause frustration, the overall experience remains fun and engaging for those willing to master its intricacies. Fast loading times, visceral attacks, and hidden secrets make this a journey worth taking.

A throwback brawler with modern finesse—dive in and fight like a legend!