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Shadow Complex Release Time
Xbox Live has been running a promotion for the past two years with their summer fun deals. Last year their big games were Castle Crashers and Bionic Commando Rearmed. This year Microsoft came out with several more games that are almost guaranteed to do as well. One of those being the release of “TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled” that Gabe reviewed a couple weeks ago. The other being “Shadow Complex” from Chair Entertainment (creators of XBLA Undertow) and Epic Games (creators of Jazz Jackrabbit).
This game hearkens back to the good ol’ days of the “2D” side-scroller adventure game. It features the combined action of such prestigious games as “Super Metroid” and “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.” Shadow Complex, much like the aforementioned titles, is more about exploration than it is action, even though action does have its place. If anything, this is a return to that true “Metroidvania” style of play, and I for one could not be happier.
The game follows the story of Jason and Claire as they go out on a date. Yeah, that is what we were thinking too, but luckily, that’s only how it starts. They are going through some caves exploring when Claire goes missing. Naturally being the good gentlemen on a date, Jason takes it upon himself to find her. Jason soon finds out that she has been kidnapped by a group called “Progressive Restoration.” What he doesn’t know is that he and Claire have stumbled upon their underground base.
At the beginning of the game you start out with nothing more than a flashlight, but it isn’t long before you are finding new and exciting things on your quest. As mentioned earlier, this game is all about exploration, and in doing so you will find all manner of weapons and upgrades that will help you not only rescue Claire, back but stop the bad guys at the same time. Each kill you make, be it by weapon, melee, or environmental, adds a certain amount of experience to Jason. Much like you would expect, more upgrades equal better abilities and items. Also, you will have the option of exploring the facility and finding intelligence that will lend itself to your exp, as well as helping you with other tasks.
Even once you “finish” the game there is still more for you to explore. The game has several “Challenge Rooms” much like Bionic Commando or even Portal, that test the skills that you have learned throughout the game proper. Even the level cap (50) lends itself to replay-ability of the game. Players will have a hard time reaching that cap in their first time playing through, however once you start the game over again, your level comes with you, in order for you to build on it even more. Different difficulty levels further enhance your exp, as well as the obvious greater challenge. There isn’t any type of multi-player, but that won’t matter much with the in-game updates. Much like Burnout Paradise, when you over take a friends record, say in melee kills, it will notify you AND your buddy that you are better then he is, and update it to the leaderboards. This will truly bring out the spirit of competition and “one upmanship” in every person that plays the game.
All said, this game looks to be the cream of the crop for the XBLA releases this summer. Being the huge fan of Super Metroid that I am, I cannot wait to get my hands on Shadow Complex. I look forward to exploring every detailed nook and beautiful cranny of this game until I hit 100%. Shadow Complex releases August 19th on XBLA at a price of 1200 MSP.