The game received 3D graphics and became more realistic.
I'm new to the Shadow Fight series of games: I haven't even seen the first part, but I played a little in the second – I didn't get hooked. However, it is a very popular series with a huge audience. Shadow Fight 2 has over 100 million downloads on Google Play alone. So I decided to use the announcement of the third part of the game as an excuse to get to know the series better.
Shadow Fight 3 launched back in August, but only for Canada in beta test format. There is already a full-fledged campaign with a storyline, a set of weapons and equipment, even donation works. The global release of the game is scheduled for November 16.
Those who are especially curious can try Shadow Fight 3 now. To do this, you need to download the apk file and run the game through a VPN server in Canada. The free Opera VPN app is fine, there are Canadian servers. You can also get the status of a beta tester and play from anywhere, but for this you need to contact the developers.
Gameplay
The new part in terms of the gameplay has not changed much. For control, there is a joystick, a hit button, a kick and a 'shadow' mode. The joystick is used to move around the arena and perform various attacks to perform combos. There are not so many ways to attack the enemy; variety is introduced into the process thanks to a large arsenal of weapons: swords, spears, nunchucks, hammers and much more.
The essence of battles is to predict the opponent's blow and attack him faster or block the blow. With a successful attack, you can knock the weapon out of the hands of the enemy, but it is also possible to lose the weapon yourself and you will have to continue the fight with your bare hands.
During the battle, the 'shadow' scale is filled. In this mode, players and environments become dark and additional combos appear. With good dexterity, you can inflict significant damage and change the outcome of the round.
The innovation of the third part was the ability to fight with other users. But I still haven't figured out how multiplayer works. Before some rounds, there is a search for an opponent, but during the battle you can pause the game and the behavior of the opponent does not look like a real player. There is no battle mode with friends in the game, it may appear with a global launch.
While the first part of the campaign is available, as the player develops, receives new equipment and fights in various tournaments. Most likely, in the future, the developers will continue the story and add new missions.
Graphic arts
Past parts of Shadow Fight worked with 2D graphics, simple decorations and characters in the form of shadows – it was kind of a 'feature' of the series.
In the new part, the developers switched to three-dimensional graphics with realistic character models. I like the style of the past parts more, now the game has become similar to many other fighting games. Although there are no complaints about the quality of the graphics: a lot of details, realistic animations and high-quality models of characters and equipment.
Impressions
Overall I liked Shadow Fight 3, but this kind of game gets boring quickly. The first few dozen battles are easy and interesting if you update your equipment in time and study the tactics of fighting a certain opponent. Over time, it becomes more difficult to play, with each level you will have to spend more time pumping weapons and armor. So basically you have to skip the main campaign and earn money to improve. And it is exhausting.
The game will be distributed free of charge, so the traditional free-to-play scheme works here: many things are easier and faster to buy for real money. But it is possible to complete the game without purchases.
I do not recommend installing the game right now, every time you start a VPN you will quickly get bored. And with the global launch of the game, the Russian language and full-fledged multiplayer should be added. Well, if you are a fan of the series, then most likely you have already tried Shadow Fight 3. For the rest, I recommend waiting for November 16 and trying the game without unnecessary difficulties.