Review · Action · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · PC
Shadows: Awakening
Reviewed: 01 May 2026
PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · PC
Kalypso Media · 2018
Ludograph rating
A
Recommended
69 /100
Shadows: Awakening is a single-player RPG that fosters problem-solving, strategic thinking, and critical thinking with challenging combat and puzzles, for ages 13+ due to fantasy violence and dark themes.
Growth (BDS)
53
Risk (RIS)
3
Daily limit
120min
Age guidance
13+
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.76 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.27 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.35 | |
Shadows: Awakening offers a deep, single-player RPG experience with a gripping storyline, challenging tactical combat, and intricate puzzle-solving. Players engage in strategic thinking through party management and a unique synergy system, fostering critical thinking and learning transfer. The game provides extensive content with over 40 hours of gameplay and high replayability, encouraging sustained engagement and adaptive challenge.
Design risks
| R1 | Compulsion-loop pressure | 0.07 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.00 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.00 | |
While generally low in manipulative design, the game features moderate levels of fantasy violence and dark themes involving demons and souls, consistent with its 'T for Teen' rating. There are no monetization pressures or social risks due to its single-player nature and lack of microtransactions.
Content (not in risk score)
| R4.1 | Violence Level | 0.67 | |
| R4.2 | Sexual Content | 0.00 | |
| R4.3 | Language | 0.33 | |
| R4.4 | Substance References | 0.00 | |
| R4.5 | Fear / Horror | 0.67 | |
Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.
Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria
- DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
- GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
- ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.
These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.