Shape Shifter here. First time I've ever played it. Trying hard to like it, but the combination of controls and tiny flying respawning insectoid annoyances are making it tough to love right out of the gate. Gonna stick with it for a bit, though! Might have to load translated Ladysword on the everdrive for a change of pace. (:
Shapeshifter can definitely be a brutal game at first. I just finished it myself not long ago, and as such I feel your pain.
Just keep at it and remember to save often and practice, practice, practice with the controls (especially the panther). Pace yourself and try not to rush through any area in the game or your gonna get yourself killed. Abuse the eclipse since it fully heals you every 10 minutes or so. If your close to dying, find a safe place to wait and walk away for a visit to the pot for a good shit or to knock off a quicky, get a bite to eat, grab a beer, hit the forums here to update us onyour progress, etc. Come back and continue playing with full health.
I personally "cheated" by playing through it on an emulator with save states to get myself familiar with the game before tackling it head-on on real hardware. Once you finish it and see the end credits roll, you'll find yourself feeling pretty good.
The game is excellent once you've gotten yourself comfortable with the controls and its many quirks.
