Shadow Complex Review (XBLA)

Imagine, if you will, if Super Metroid and Metal Gear Solid got together and had a baby. The result would be Shadow Complex. It is a game of upgrades, exploration, crazy conspiracies, boss battles, and more all in an isolated military complex. And the best part is that it looks like a current-gen, Unreal Engine game but is played from a 2D side-scrolling perspective. It pairs amazing presentation with amazing gameplay to create one of the best XBLA games yet. It costs 1200MS Points ($15), but the replay value is through the roof so there is no question you'll get your money's worth.

When Shadow Complex was first shown at E3 2009 it was pretty easy to see that it was something special. Powered by the Unreal Engine but set in a 2D side-scrolling world, Shadow Complex is beautiful and familiar and wonderful all at the same time. It is like comfort food for a gamer's soul. It takes us back to our roots. And that is a good thing.

The core of Shadow Complex is exactly like Super Metroid or Castlevania: SOTN. There is a huge map to explore, but most of it is blocked off until you find new weapons and abilities. The gameplay is pretty much the same as well - you walk along, kill everything in a room and try to find any secrets hidden there, and then move on to the next room.

At first you'll be kind of tentative, but once you learn the map and how to make the most of your weapons and abilities, you can move through the game world quickly and smoothly and it is amazingly fun. My first playthrough of the game was 5 hours. My second was 2 hours. I did a 100% item run in about 3 1/2 hours. It may sound like a short game, but it is so addictive that once you figure things out you just want to keep playing the game over and over and over again. To earn all of the achievements would probably take about 20-25 hours since getting to level 50 takes several runs through the game. That much gameplay for $15 is insanely good.

I do have a couple of complaints. I want more boss fights. Boss fights are the best part of Metroidvanias, but the fights here are kind of boring. Especially when you're powered up. Secondly, while it is excellent, it isn't head and shoulders above other games in the genre. Symphony of the Night is a bigger, deeper, more complex, more interesting game that is also on XBLA. You should still definitely buy it, but it isn't the second coming like some blogs are saying.

Bottom Line - Buy It!