1993 Shenandoah

Genre: Shmup

Players: 1-4 Co-Op (Local)

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Review:

1993 Shenandoah is a Shmup that gets its title partly from the long process the game took to finally see the light of day. Originally intended for release on the Commodore Amiga back in 1993, a reputed spat between developers sent this game into a development hell that lasted nearly three decades, with the game finally being released on the Nintendo Switch, purportedly with its original graphics and sound intact but ported to a more modern game engine.

I can’t say I’m too familiar with the Amiga, so I can’t comment on the nostalgia factor as it applies to that platform. However, I can say that 1993 Shenandoah has some nice 2D graphics that have a bit of an odd art style (many of the ships have an oddly bloated and rounded look), but it’s still nevertheless appealing, with the game’s soundtrack being pleasant but oddly mellow for a Shmup. Overall, I like the presentation, it definitely feels unique, although I can imagine it won’t appeal to everyone.

When it comes to the gameplay, 1993 Shenandoah actually does a few things somewhat original. Firstly, players are given their choice of ships in the beginning, and can outfit them with a variety of weapons. There are a healthy variety of both, and part of the fun of the game (and a part of its replay value) is experimenting with different builds to see which suits you best. Through the course of the game, players will be earning cash by picking up enemy drops, and players will have the option at regular intervals in the game to shop for further guns and upgrades for their ship.

The other fairly unique thing this game does is provide players with a shield of sorts they can rotate around the ship to block projectiles, with the shield degrading as it takes hits. 1993 Shenandoah is pretty forgiving when it comes to this too – not only can players snag pickups that refill this shield after it has taken damage, but they can also withstand a few hits even after the shield is down. As a result, this Shmup is probably on the easy end of the genre. This easiness will undoubtedly disappoint more diehard genre fans, although others may appreciate it. On top of this, the game is overall a bit on the slow side, which again will likely divide players – some may dig the slower pace, while others will be put off by it. Personally, I liked it, but I don’t doubt that others will turn their nose up at it.

Also, I can’t end this review without mentioning that the game supports 4-player co-op, which is pretty extraordinary for the genre, which usually sticks to 2 players, tops. This combined with the huge variety of ships and weapons players can use should make this a fun entry in the genre for those wanting to play with friends.

In the end, 1993 Shenandoah is definitely a game that hails from a different time, and although some may not find that to be a good thing in this case, I’m personally quite pleased that we’ve finally gotten our hands on this lost classic. Despite the age it hails from, this game has some surprisingly interesting ideas at plat that make it refreshingly original even in 2020. The upgrade system here is great, the multiplayer is fantastic, and the presentation is different enough to set it apart, even on an eShop filled with games in this genre. If you’re a fan of Shmups, you should definitely give this game a look.

tl;dr – 1993 Shenandoah is a Shmup originally intended for release on the Amiga in 1993, but only just now seeing light of day on the Switch. Its old-fashioned design may put off some players, but the excellent upgrade system, solid local co-op play, and unique presentation all combine to make this a pretty unique game that’s worth checking out for fans of the genre.

Grade: B+

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This game has been nominated for one or more of eShopperReviews 2020 Game Awards:

Runner-Up: The “Wow, this game was way better than I expected!” Award

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