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(Image: SONY)

Developed by Heavy Spectrum Entertainment Labs, Shadow of the Beast is Sony's newest side-scrolling 3D platformer.

It's an action-packed and gore-filled reimagining of a 1989 Amiga title of the same name, made up of detailed story elements and promising battle mechanics.

But it is more than just a passing remake of an old game; it packs a powerful punch when it comes to other titles of its genre.

You play as Aarbron: a former human snatched away from his father's arms as a baby and transformed into the Beast he is now. Filled with anger and hatred towards his captors, Aarbron embarks on a quest for vengeance.

Right from the start, you're thrown into the deep end, with a whole plethora of enemies coming at you from both sides.

With various different attacks and special moves, the combat flows nicely and is never short of carnage. Though over time it can feel slightly repetitive.

During enemy encounters, you are ranked based on your attacks, how many times you've been hit and how many combos you've racked up, which in turn affects your level score.

This wouldn't be a problem if the combat controls didn't appear so unresponsive at times, with nothing happening even if the desired button is repeatedly pressed.

We're not sure if they're actually unresponsive or the combat is just really tight, but regardless it's an annoyance that didn't go away.

One of the best elements is the ability to connect with other players, by finding interactive spots on the floor which allow you to either gift or devour them.

Though it's unclear what gifting actually does as it isn't explained, much like a lot of features in the game.

Choosing to devour another player sends you into a quick time event, which has you trying to rip them apart in the fastest time possible.

You are then given a Shadow Stone, which allows you to summon the defeated player's shadow to fight for you in battle.

If combat isn't enough for you, there's also an array of puzzles scattered throughout the game.

Some are timed, some involve teleportation, and some go back to basics with switches.

They vary in difficulty but give Shadow of the Beast a welcoming change in pace, which is great if you need a break from all of that fighting.

(Image: Psynosis)

At the end of the stage, your overall score is converted into Mana (the game's currency) which can be used in the in-game shop.

The aptly named Wisdom of Shadows is your typical in-game shop, packed with the usual upgrades and items that you would expect to find.

Interestingly, an emulation of the 1989 Amiga game is also available for purchase - perfect if you're a fan of the original or just want to experience it for the first time.

Sadly though, all of the items are rather cheap, so it's not all that difficult to buy everything quickly and diminish some of the games replay value.

As a whole the game is visually beautiful and flows incredibly well, rarely dipping below 60 frames per second.

The character and enemy designs are equally flawless and it's clear a lot of work has gone into modernising the 26 year-old designs from the original.

Shadow of the Beast is an incredibly enjoyable adventure, with lots to do and unlock at a very reasonable price of £11.99.

Though the combat can get repetitive, the variety of puzzles and the ability to interact with other players more than makes up for this slight oversight, creating a very worthwhile purchase.

The Verdict - 4/5

- Reviewed on PlayStation 4