Shady Knight from Alexey aka “cptnsigh” is one of this year’s hidden gems that deserves to be uncovered. To put it simply, this is Neon White meets Dark Messiah of Might & Magic. However, it has depth and layers beyond that reductive comparison. Shady Knight has unparalleled fluidity, a combat system to master, and gameplay loop you’ll never want to get out of.
There’s a lengthy tutorial that will teach you everything you need to know. It also emphasizes that even at the beginning, you’re given every tool. From there it’s how you as the player become more skilled, not the character you play as. You have a grapple hook that can attach to certain pieces, a double jump, a parry, a slide, throw a sword, and take a sword not being held. For good measure you also have a kick that is devastatingly powerful, used to knock enemies off ledges or into dangerous spikes a la Arkane’s Dark Messiah of Might & Magic. This is a fast-paced, skill-driven action game that demands both dexterity and creativity, rewarding players who master its fluid movement system and inventive mechanics.
At the heart of Shady Knight is its dynamic fusion of parkour and combat. The game has you performing acrobatic feats like wall-kicking, slide-hopping, and grappling, while also dishing out brutal melee attacks with swords and daggers. The emphasis is on mobility, with players able to seamlessly transition from movement to combat in ways that feel organic and fluid. This approach turns the game into a stylish dance of destruction, with advanced techniques allowing players to chain together moves for devastating attacks. Utilizing these skills will allow you to climb these infernal towers of certain death.
The game’s movement system offer a satisfying level of control. This is where precision matters: missed jumps or poorly timed grapples can lead to death, but successes feel incredibly rewarding. The combat, while sometimes optional, can be used to rack up points through stylish kills, such as kicking enemies off ledges or pulling them mid-air. Getting that rating at the end of a level is its own motivation to do better, and replay sections to perfection.
The combat in Shady Knight strikes a balance between being fast-paced and tactical. While it’s possible to bypass many enemies, engaging them in creative ways not only scores more points but also breaks up the platforming challenges with intense skirmishes. Some players find these systems thrilling, as it requires quick thinking and execution to chain attacks while maintaining momentum. However, the difficulty can spike in certain areas, especially when dealing with mobs of enemies. These sections are praised for their adrenaline-pumping action, though some players might find the sheer number of enemies overwhelming at times.
The combat can sometimes feel like it interferes with the smooth flow of the platforming. For instance, enemy attacks can disrupt jumps, leading to frustrating deaths in particularly challenging sections. While this adds an extra layer of challenge, not everyone will appreciate the way combat occasionally breaks up the parkour. However, the steep learning curve might be a turnoff for some. The difficulty spikes can be harsh, particularly for those who aren’t used to juggling fast-paced platforming with complex scenarios.
With over 40 levels, Shady Knight offers a lot of content for players to dig into. The replayability comes from the sheer variety of ways players can approach each level. Whether you’re aiming for faster completion times or higher scores through stylish kills, the game encourages mastery. For players interested in speedrunning or perfecting their playstyle, Shady Knight offers plenty of opportunities to push their skills to the limit.
The game’s visuals have a minimalist, low-poly aesthetic that is easy to distinguish enemies and what patterns they will utilize. The clean design supports its fast-paced gameplay alongside its medieval-futuristic theme, with glowing swords and spectral knights. The environments can feel somewhat repetitive, though they serve their purpose of keeping the player focused on the platforming and combat. At no point did the game ever slow down or become problematic, it just screams at 180fps.
My PC Specs:
– Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
– Intel Core i9 13900K @ 5.8GHz
– ASUS ROG RYUJIN II 360 ARGB AIO Liquid CPU Cooler
– G.SKILL TRIDENT Z5 6000MHZ 64GB (32×2) DDR5 RAM
– ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X
– WD_BLACK SN850X M.2 (4 TB)
– LG UltraGear 34GP950B-G (21:9 Ultrawide @ 3440×1440)
Shady Knight is a thrilling combination of parkour and combat that offers a fresh take on the action genre. Its fluid movement system and creative mechanics are the game’s standout features, making it a joy to play for those who appreciate fast-paced, skill-driven gameplay. However, its difficulty spikes do detract from what is otherwise a sublime experience once you get into a rhythm. Shady Knight offers an an intense and rewarding experience for those willing to master its mechanics, and make the climb to the top.
A Steam code was provided by the publisher for review purposes
