Reviewed on: 10/14/09
What is Shadow Complex?Shadow complex was created by the same makers of the Gears of War Franchise, Epic Games, but by their newer studio known as Chair Development. It is a downloadable game over Xbox Live, and is exclusive to the Xbox 360 console. The creators explain that their love of past side scrollers, like the Metroid series, was their inspiration for Shadow Complex. This is noticeable in the final product as it takes many elements from the past games and creates an ultimately equal and enjoyable experience. Some goals of the studio were to re-create a basic side-scroller for a new generation of gamers, on a new console. They also wished to fluidly combine 2-d and 3-d games into one solid design, which was user friendly and good-looking at the same time.
The Plot:
Jason Flemming and his new girlfriend Claire are backpacking in the woods when they come across some caverns. Soon, some sinister characters that eventually become known as the multibillion-dollar corporation called the Progressive Restoration capture Claire. The entirety of the story focuses on Jason’s attempt to foil the Progressive Restoration’s plans of destroying the world, while also trying to rescue his girlfriend. While Shadow Complex’s story may seem rather far-fetched, it still holds some intense moments where you actually feel for the character and his endeavors. This may be true, but it is also obvious that the story is not where Shadow Complex focuses its prowess. The gameplay is where the game shines, and shine brightly it does.
Gameplay:
Far more than any other genre of video game, side-scrollers require near perfect controls. Shadow complex pulls this off with ease, and leaves the player feeling satisfied and in control. The player controls Jason Flemming, a man on a mission, with the regular Xbox controller. The control layout is fairly simple and actually mimics that of most FPS, or First Person Shooters. As in FPS, to fire Jason’s main gun you simply hit the right trigger, or the right bumper trigger in order to use one of the four special weapons. These include the foam gun, hookshot, and rocket /grenade launcher. Each of these weapons is used to open different doors throughout the game, therefore expanding the usable world. The player uses the left stick to move the character and the right to aim the weapons. The letter buttons function well as the jumping and melee attack buttons. One complaint was with how the aiming works in-game. You are only able to aim left right up and down, and varying degrees in-between, but it is difficult to hit someone if they are somewhat off-screen in the “third dimension”. Although this is sometimes tricky, it doesn’t wreck the game.
Visuals and Sound:
Shadow Complex takes an almost dead genre of gaming and not only revitalizes it, but perhaps reinvents it…a genre from the past mixed and meshed with the technology and visual flare of modern consoles. Environments are gorgeous, so its difficult to be stuck on a 2d plain, you always find yourself wishing you could go somewhere that is inaccessible. Compared to other Xbox Live arcade games which are similarly priced, for example Trials HD or Battlefield 1943, the graphics really aren’t much more impressive. While the textures are fairly sharp and the visual effects such as lighting and gun effects are pretty, you can tell they aren’t as nice compared to a full Xbox game. While this is to be expected for the price of $15.00, it is somewhat disappointing when you get fairly close to the screen. The sound on the other-hand is quite explosive and really gets your attention. From intense musical scores playing during a boss-battle to the eerie sound of violins humming while you swim through water filled with sinking bodies, Shadow Complex knows how to please the ears. What is most impressive is how visceral and loud the guns sound in game. Most full Xbox 360 titles have failed where Shadow Complex has succeeded in quality of gun sounds.
Final Thoughts:
Games like Shadow Complex and Trials HD have brought life to Xbox live arcade. Something that was once seen as merely a side dish to the Xbox experience is now perhaps equal to AAA titles. As the popularity of Xbox live arcade games rise, one must wonder if they will eventually take the lead in the market. While Shadow Complex is bar-none one of the most worthy Xbox Live Arcade titles for your money, it still isn’t a game for everyone. A few glitches with the artificial Intelligence, and a sometimes-shoddy job at merging 2 dimensional gameplay with 3d graphics stop Shadow Complex from receiving a perfect score. Although no game is perfect, Shadow complex does an admirable job at trying, and if you have the spare $15.00. I highly recommend you pick this title up.
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References:
* GameTrailers.com (Developer Walkthrough) http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-shadow-complex/50564
* GameTrailers.com (Developer Diary) http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-creators-shadow-complex/53740
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