Nintendo, are you watching? Shadow Complex is Super Metroid for the current-generation. That's it. That's really all you should need to make this a day-one purchase because, in case you didn't know, Super Metroid is (still) awesome.
We discussed in length all of its Metroid parallels in our hands-on preview; the iconic square map system, the coloured doors, the upgradeable battle suit, the new-item-new-path progression and the game's general 2D gameplay style. It IS a complete throwback to Nintendo's classic.
So, why should you buy a game that basically rips off one released in 1994? Because Shadow Complex does it with a modern-day flair that not only warrants comparisons to one of the best games of the 2D generation, but also sits high on the list of the best games on Xbox Live Arcade.
We can't fault developer Chair Entertainment's use of the Unreal Engine 3 with this one. Everything from the dark caves with water flowing through them, to the detail-filled base of rogue paramilitary group the Restoration (where most of the game takes place) is top-notch current-gen quality.
Explosions smash objects in the environment around with realistic physics. Lights and torches realistically illuminate dark areas. The lead character Jason Fleming moves with a fluidity comparable to Uncharted: Drakes Fortune. There's no wonder the download weighs in at over 800MB.
With the world looking as good as it does, exploring every new path is an intriguing prospect you look forward to each time you acquire a new ability-enhancing power-up. Add to that a well-written plot with developed characters and Shadow Complex becomes a game you won't want to put down until it's finished.
The game's weapon and ability upgrade system, just like Metroid's, makes it a constantly changing and rewarding experience. You start off as a mere man with a gun, not really knowing what to expect. But the wares you find in the Restoration's base gradually transform you into a powerful soldier.
Shadow Complex
Official trailer
1:30Gameplay of Epic's sweet 2D adventure for XBLA
Shadow Complex
Official trailer
1:30Gameplay of Epic's sweet 2D adventure for XBLA
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Shadow Complex
Official trailer
1:30Gameplay of Epic's sweet 2D adventure for XBLA
Soon you find yourself speeding through the base, bouncing off walls like a ninja and blasting all manner of rockets all over the place, obliterating enemies, helicopters and giant robots that were once a considerable threat. Yes, this means the game's not greatly on the difficult side (it's more about exploration and plot rather than difficulty) but it also makes you feel satisfyingly powerful.
There's also an RPG-style level-up system that improves your accuracy (narrowing a machine gun's spread), precision (for head shots) and stamina (health, obviously) as you defeat enemies. You get special rewards like new weapons for reaching certain levels. But this system adds replayability because these levels can be carried over to consecutive play-throughs.
When you finish the game, which can take a good 10 hours if you try to find all of the title's 100+ secret items, you lose your items but retain your experience, allowing you reach even higher levels of strength and earn more special rewards you never even saw the first time around.
It may be a total throwback to a 15-year-old Super Nintendo game, but Shadow Complex is one of XBLA's biggest, fully-fledged titles. It looks the part, puts a modern 3D twist on an intuitive 2D gameplay mechanic and throws you more big explosive guns and giant bosses than a Contra game.
If this, and Trails HD, are a sign of things to come from Xbox Live Arcade, we can't wait to see what else MS has cooking in its cauldron of downloadable treats. And for Super Metroid fans (which should be all of you), it's the sequel you've wanted Nintendo to cough up all these years.
Is it out toady or tomorrow. Looks fantastic. Its super metroid. on earth, with no space pirates. Wait this isn't super metroid at all, its just a decent 2d platformer on a current console. Now thats a rare thing indeed.
10 hours? isent there a achievement for finishing it in under 4? i was extremely dissapointed when i heard that. and why do every single game have to come out with other games? like for the past 6 weeks theres been not 1 video game i want to get, now in the next 2 weeks i want wolfenstien, shadow complex, batman AA. 3 games in 2 weeks. but than 0 games in 6?????? im lost, i think any game especially shadow complex would sell better in a time where theres no new releases, compare to a time with 3 new releases.
I thought this sound good ever since the Super Metroid comparison in the preview
Not sure if I'm likely to buy it though - I'm not convinced about the replayability. The experience retention is a good idea to encourage people to go back, but if it's pretty easy the first time then how simple is it going to be in subsequent run-throughs?
This will be a Day 1 download for me (unless I win the code form you CVG )!
I was hoping for a email with said code myself. nothing so far yet . this will defo be a first day purchase for me, i queued to get Super Metroid on release day and it was really the only game i played regularly on my Wii when i had it. looking forward to this
Wow XBLA is really coming into it's own with Trials HD and this really showing off the type of quality donloadable games can offer! And they're both 2D/3D and work amazingly well.
I'm sure the makers of Metroid: Other M (Team Ninja) will be looking at what this game does well for more ideas/insperation. Although their trailer look very promising anyway, again mixing 3D and 2D elements!
Maybe Sega should take note for their next Sonic game though!
2D is the future!! - Well, not quite, but with games like this, Metroidther M, Boy and his Blob and the utterly beautiful Muramasa to come, I hope we see something of a return to 'new retro' stuff.
Is it out toady or tomorrow. Looks fantastic. Its super metroid. on earth, with no space pirates. Wait this isn't super metroid at all, its just a decent 2d platformer on a current console. Now thats a rare thing indeed.
Aside from braid and bionic commando rearmed.
Wednesday.
I have to say, the xbox 'Summer of arcade' is pure genius. All the big games come out near Christmas so they release all the big arcade games in summer when there is no competition. Battlefield 1943, Splosion Man, Trials, Shadow Complex, it's been an expensive summer in arcade terms!
Is it out toady or tomorrow. Looks fantastic. Its super metroid. on earth, with no space pirates. Wait this isn't super metroid at all, its just a decent 2d platformer on a current console. Now thats a rare thing indeed.
Aside from braid and bionic commando rearmed.
Wednesday.
I have to say, the xbox 'Summer of arcade' is pure genius. All the big games come out near Christmas so they release all the big arcade games in summer when there is no competition. Battlefield 1943, Splosion Man, Trials, Shadow Complex, it's been an expensive summer in arcade terms!
My thoughts exactly. Plus they're all short enough/easy to get into, so you can complete them in the same week.
Well, I tried the trial last night and was not impressed. The characters were terribly portrayed, the visuals were a bit clumsy and the atmosphere was non-existent.
The aiming is a little clumsy in places, but overall very impressed so far. Not as in depth as Castlevania and not as atmospheric as Super Metroid but for a tenner it's well worth the money.
After I've completed this I'm going to replay Castlevania.
I've heard that Arkham Asylum will be a bit Metroidy so it's definately a good month for adventure games.
Well, I tried the trial last night and was not impressed. The characters were terribly portrayed, the visuals were a bit clumsy and the atmosphere was non-existent.
Up there with Super Metroid you say, CVG?
Absolute joke.
What? Mr PS3 does like a game on the Xbox... Whoa, who saw that coming?
I wasn't interested in this when it was announced at e3 but I downloaded the demo. That was enough to convince me to buy it and now I have finished the game I can say that it was excellent and fun to play from start to end I highly reccomend this for anyone remotley intrested in action platformers
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Gorgeous and detailed visuals
)!
. this will defo be a first day purchase for me, i queued to get Super Metroid on release day and it was really the only game i played regularly on my Wii when i had it. looking forward to this
ther M, Boy and his Blob and the utterly beautiful Muramasa to come, I hope we see something of a return to 'new retro' stuff.
