Gameplay
Though you control Shadow Man much like Lara Croft in Tomb Raider (including controlling both hands separately), the gameplay is much more like that of Zelda 64: though you do get weapons and kill baddies, the focus is more on the puzzle-solving, use-your-brain part of the adventure. You've got to pay attention to what's going on, to the animated cutscenes, and to the notes you're given.
![Shadowman Hands-On Preview [ By the power of TeddyBear! @ 640 x 480 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/e-s.jpg) By the power of TeddyBear!
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![Shadowman Hands-On Preview [ Church of the voodoo priestess @ 640 x 480 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/f-s.jpg) Church of the voodoo priestess
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Deciphering the notes is no easy task. The first set of clues you're given is in the form of a file on the five serial killers you're tracking down, with newspaper clippings, FBI sketches, et al. From the looks of things, this game will be much more of a challenge on your brain (estimated gameplay time is 70-80 hours) than Zelda 64, which, while fun, was designed more for little kids.
![Shadowman Hands-On Preview [ Mike in a cutscene @ 640 x 480 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/g-s.jpg) Mike in a cutscene
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![Shadowman Hands-On Preview [ Taking potshots at dogs @ 640 x 480 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/h-s.jpg) Taking potshots at dogs
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Shadow Man was not designed for little kids. In the opening cutscenes, your character lets loose his profane tongue when he hears of his mission. With detailed info about serial killers, a reluctant hero who enjoys the feeling of joining souls of pure evil with his own, and gruesome zombies hunting you down, it's a fair bet that Shadow Man will end up with a Mature rating.