Shadow Man Basics

A basic outline of items you will find in the game and goals to achieve.
This guide contains plot and content SPOILERS. Please read at your own discretion.

Intro

Welcome to my original Shadow Man guide. This guide is a supplemental resource for you. There is an official guide located in your game's installation files. This guide is intended to be a current, concise explanation of the game and its features. Mind you, this game was not made recently, and some of the unofficial strategy guides were made many years ago.

I recommend visiting a Youtube "Let's Play", or walkthrough video of a specific location in Shadow Man if you get stuck and need further assistance.

Story Outline

Prologue
You are Shadow Man. Half-living, half...not. You are stuck in a state of limbo, guarding the world of the living from threats from Deadside. Unfortunately, Liveside is in danger and you take on the role of fulfilling an apocalyptic prophecy. Five serial killers have sold their souls to "Legion" to avoid death...but in doing so, they are not exactly living either.

Goals
In this culturally-imbued game, most of your playtime is set in Deadside - collecting items, gaining abilities, and so on. Your main goal is to collect dark souls, assemble L'Eclipser and take down 5 serial killers and "Legion". L'Eclipser will summon an eclipse in Liveside. This will allow Shadow Man to steal the souls of "The Five" and end their reign of terror.

The Eclipse
Normally your shadowpowers do not work in Liveside. Even after the eclipse, your Liveside weapons will not work in Deadside. The only exception is your Shadowgun - which serves a dual purpose at all times. Otherwise, the only rules that can be bent are that the eclipse will allow you to use shadowpowers in Liveside. Enemies will change appearance in Liveside. The Shadowgun will only fire shadow rounds after the eclipse - no more bullets.

Revisiting Areas
Any time you exit a major map area (one noted on the world map from your voodoo teddy bear...), enemies will respawn. Enemies will not respawn on your death. More enemies may appear in an area after you complete major events in the game.

Cultural References

If you don't understand the cultural / ethnic / religious references in the game, here are some useful links. This game blends elements of Cajun culture and Voodoo... Educational, no?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cajun
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Voodoo

Recurring Areas - Map and Warp Points

You will return to areas of the game many times. There is a map of sorts in the official strategy guide (again, complimentary of the developer - in the game's download file). There isn't a map in the game...check the "level select" from your Teddy Bear to check your progress on collecting the Dark Souls in a particular area. Be sure to warp whenever possible. Don't walk when you don't need to - it wastes a lot of time in an already long game. Warp points are usually unlocked at the start or middle of an area. Please note the Engine Block warp point does not have different access points to shut down the pistons...you will need Prisms to unlock the other access points from their respective map areas. They can be collected from Jack II, The Lizard King, and the Home Improvement Killer. The levels to select from your Teddy Bear do not include the additional warp points accessed by using your Baton. I won't go into major detail on all areas, but here's a quick look at the points of interest:

• Marrow Gates (aka Soul Gates, Shadow Gates)
  There is technically just one Marrow Gate where you meet Jaunty. But when you're at the pause menu, you may notice the game constantly refers to Marrow Gates just about anywhere there's a Shadow / Coffin (I guess we should now call them all Marrow Gates...) gate that requires a certain level to bust through. You will hear a familiar theme at all of the Marrow Gates.
  
  
• Paths of Shadow - Prophecy Chamber
  This is a waypoint you will use often. Warp to it using the Teddy Bear. Many Marrow Gates are nearby.
  
  
• Temple(s)
  First and foremost is the Temple of Life. Return here when you have obtained any multiple of 100 Cadeaux and exchange them for 1 unit additional life.
  The other temples will hold challenges and a reward of some ability causing you to resist one of 3 kinds of fire/lava damage.
  
  
• Asylum
  This is the "evil fortress" of the game. Enemies are everywhere and, of course, hostile. Be on your guard and use the Flambeau to light dark hallways.
  
  
• Engine Block(s)
  You will need to shut down several pistons to unlock the final battle. It will be a long time between first accessing this warp point and actually using it. Instead, you will access the Engine Block by other means.
  
  
• Cathedral of Pain
  Your waypoint to hunting down The Five. Be sure to pick up any Retractors, as you'll need to use them at the severed torsos up the stairs (some are already..open)...Kind gross, but it's a huge part of the game. Press your "interact" key to proceed through the torso. Yuck.
  
  
• Gardelle County Jail
  Three of your main enemies are housed here. Be sure to assemble L'Eclipser to fully complete this area.

Pickups

Your standard pickups fall under several categories:

Cadeaux
Literally, "gifts" in French. These are your in-game currency. They will buy you health upgrades. You need 100 per unit of additional health, so scour the map extensively to obtain them. They are rarely out in the open, and if they are, they usually require a long jump to get near them. Be sure to break jars, look underwater, and so on. Revisit areas after you obtain new powers to access areas with more items, including Cadeaux.

Place 100 at a time at one of the altars in the Temple of Life. There is a warp altar there to quickly re-enter the heart of the temple from its beginning. Be sure to warp to the Temple of Life from your Teddy Bear. The extra life points will help late-game when you have to fight "Trueforms."

Dark Souls
These are housed in Govi - a fleshy, gourd-like container. Use your Shadowgun to break them open, and walk up to the purple soul to absorb it. The souls give off an eerie sound, both when contained (sounds like a beating heart) and exposed (sounds like wailing spirits). This fact will help you find them, but only if they are in the same room as you, or behind a neighboring wall. You can also find Dark Souls outside of Govi in certain parts of the Asylum, and after defeating Trueforms; each of "The Five".

• Magic Refill - an orange skull - found in jars and barrels.
  
• Health Refill - bright red blob found in jars and barrels; also after defeating enemies.
  
• Ammo - comes in many flavors. Available after you obtain the weapon it's used in.

There are several other pickups, including one-time use items. Have a look at the Shadow Man wikia if you're interested in the other items. http://shadowman.wikia.com/wiki/Shadowman_Wiki

Shadow Level

After collecting a specific number of Dark Souls, Shadow Man will become more powerful and gain an additional unit of max charge on the Shadowgun PLUS an additional unit of energy for your magic power gauge. You can tell when Shadow Man gains a level because his animation on getting a Dark Soul is slightly different and you gain a segment on your Shadow gauge. The increments between levels are somewhat arbitrary, so please note the following:

• Level 0 - Your starting level
  
• Level 1 - 1 Dark Soul
  
• Level 2 - 3 Dark Souls
  
• Level 3 - 7 Dark Souls
  
• Level 4 - 15 Dark Souls
  
• Level 5 - 23 Dark Souls
  
• Level 6 - 35 Dark Souls
  
• Level 7 - 51 Dark Souls
  
• Level 8 - 71 Dark Souls
  
• Level 9 - 95 Dark Souls
  
• Level 10 - 120 Dark Souls (all of them!!!)

Voodoo Magic (Deadside Weapons and Powers)

Throughout the game, your macabre powers and weapons will help you solve puzzles and take down enemies.

• Remember, you will gain access to Shadow Man's powers in Liveside after The Eclipse.
  
• Your max. magic power units are based on what Shadow Level you're at.
  
• Collect dark souls to increase your maximum units of magic.

Your magic power falls under two categories: weapons and gads (marks, or tattoos).

• Marks
  These are rewards of overcoming challenges of the gods. There are three in all and will require patience to obtain. They do not drain your magic power.

Temple of Fire - Toucher Gads - Grants ability to touch fiery blocks and shimmy across hot surfaces. However, you cannot walk on, or swim in lava yet.

Temple of Prophecy - Marcher Gads - Grants ability to walk on dark red lava and fiery surfaces. However, you will burn & drown in pools of lighter-colored lava.

Temple of Blood - Nager Gads - Grants ability to be submerged in lava. Once you obtain this, you will have obtained all other abilites, allowing you full access to the terrain in this game.

The ability to climb waterfalls of blood is acquired from a small altar, much like the weapons and pieces of L'Eclipser throughout the game.

Your weapons and magic items use magic power, except for the Shadowgun and Violator.

• Shadowgun - fires an immobilizing bullet with Shadow Man's powers. Usually takes a few shots to see the effect. Be sure to hit the enemy when it pauses out of exhaustion to deliver the finishing blow. Can be charged by holding down the fire button. Charges faster the higher your level.
  
• Baton - fires a missile straight forward. Press the hand that's holding it against a certain type of altar to warp!
  
• Asson - Fires a ball of flame.
  
• Flambeau - Another...flaming weapon. Mostly used to burn down cloth doors with a flame symbol printed on them.
  
• Marteau - A piece of jawbone used as a drumstick. Beat on a drum to remove one of three boards covering a doorway that can't be broken down normally. Not a combat item!
  
• Enseigne - A shield. Obtained late in the game, but you won't need it until then anyway. Activate in only when a projectile is about to hit you - this shield drains energy as long as it's activated! Very handy for most bosses.
  
• Calabash - Small explosives. Used to blast open large, decorated square panels in the floor. Not recommended for combat unless you can place it and run or climb up something an enemy will get stuck at. If you get stuck in the blast radius, this item will always reduce your health to zero!!!
  
• Violator - Fires three rounds at once. Found late game. Good boss-fighting tool. Limited ammo?

Liveside Weapons and Abilities

You can utilize a wide variety of guns without Shadow Man's Deadside powers. You can do everything the same as Deadside except take the soul of an undead enemy - until the Eclipse. Liveside weapons do not appear to work EVER in Deadside. You can't even equip them.

• Some weapons will continue firing ammo as long as you hold down the fire button. I would recommend these over the shotgun.
  
• You can hold 2 weapons - one in each hand.
  
• Using two automatic weapons during a boss battle is devastating.

Deadside Enemies

There are a lot of enemies in this game and I will not go into great detail as this guide is long enough already. Here are some generic combat tips:

• Most enemies do both melee and ranged damage. Keep your distance from enemies and dodge attacks.
  
• You can shoot while running and jumping which helps a great deal. Dodge to the side when possible and jump backward aswell...
  
• Run and roll to dodge when you need to approach enemies who do ranged damage.
  
• There are only a few kinds of enemies that fire homing projectiles. Against those, you should put up your shield.
  
• If you get low on health or ammo, run away and find some jars or barrels to blast open!

Liveside Enemies

There's not really much exciting until you summon The Eclipse. In fact, don't bother exploring beyond the church until you assemble L'Eclipser.

• Beware the packs of dogs everywhere and headless guards at Gardelle.
  
• If you need a quick escape from the dogs, hop onto a low ledge or table and attack from there. The dogs won't be able to reach you.
  
• Use two weapons at the same time when fighting The Five. When they are reduced to their Trueform, use the Shadowgun! They will drain your health quickly, so stick to a plan and blast open some containers if you need a few drops of health or ammo.
  
• Enseigne is very handy when fighting the bosses that fire weapons. Backstabbing criminals seem to get their damage through, so don't bother using the shield against them (eg. Jack II, Lizard King).

Mission Statement

Thank you for reading this guide. Feedback is important - please rate and comment!
If you want more, go to my guides section and “follow”!
I am one of the leading guidewriters on Steam, having written dozens of guides, from troubleshooting to achievement hunting.
I enjoy helping people play games, but I can’t do it alone!
Encourage your friends to write guides…for games!
-Catherine

[ZeeGreatness20]

Asylum playrooms was the most unsettling and disturbing part of the game. A maze of pure insanity and horror.

[balso]

@JoeMD going back to Nettie should clear some things up

[JoeMD]

I found a warp point through a dead body which tooke to a prison yard where I need to fight some bloke. He absolutely slaughters me. Im thinking maybe I stumbled upon this too early as I'm only lvl three. Is it possible that I've got to this point too quick or have I messed something up?

[heriseus]

Thank you for the tips! I'm emjoying the game a lot!

[That Wun Wabbit]

Interesting! Thank you for the tip @VanDie

[Vandy Cheese]

if you press to move backwards during a roll you will end the roll facing behind you

[That Wun Wabbit]

Gotta love it when the game itself and the in-game strategy guide call them different things XD

[That Wun Wabbit]

okay.

[the2ndSign]

"Marrow Gates (aka Soul Gates, Shadow Gates)
There is technically just one Marrow Gate where you meet Jaunty. But when you're at the pause menu, you may notice the game constantly refers to Marrow Gates just about anywhere there's a Shadow / Coffin (I guess we should now call them all Marrow Gates...) gate that requires a certain level to bust through. You will hear a familiar theme at all of the Marrow Gates."

I believe these are officially called coffin gates.