Shadow Complex Review: The Downloadable Console Seller

by Cole Monroe on August 10, 2010 at 2:25pm

Game Name:	Shadow Complex
Platforms:	Xbox Live Arcade
Publisher(s):	Microsoft Game Studios
Developer(s):	Epic Games, Chair Entertainment
Genre(s):	Action Shooter
Release Date:	August 19, 2009
ESRB Rating:	T

When Shadow Complex was announced way back in 2009, I was bummed that it wasn’t coming to the Playstation Network. I only owned a PS3 at the time and knew I was going to miss out on what looked to be a promising game. It became available for download on August 19, 2009 during Xbox Live’s Summer of Arcade. Once the reviews started coming in, I just had to play this game. Everyone kept saying how great it was and how it harkened back to the Metroid and Castlevania games of old. If you know anything about me, you know that Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is my favorite game of all time. I couldn’t wait to play Shadow Complex, but wait is what I did. Almost a year after its release, I finally downloaded the game I’ve been waiting for. It was the first thing I did after setting up my XBox Live account when I bought the new Xbox 360.

The Restoration Has Begun

Shadow Complex puts you into the shoes of Jason Fleming, a regular guy thrust into the middle of a conspiracy to overthrow the United States government. Jason starts out on a hike with a girl he recently met named Claire who gets kidnapped by some Cobra Commander lookalikes. With a only a flashlight at his disposal, Jason ventures into the secret military base to try and rescue Claire. It’s like any video game setup: girl gets kidnapped, hero sets out to save her. But for Shadow Complex, the story is secondary to the great gameplay contained within.

Nathan Drake, is that you?

Your quest to rescue Claire will have you discovering all sorts of weapons to use throughout the course of the game. You’ll find a pistol, a machine gun and a bad-ass shotgun. By the end of the game you’ll amass quite the collection of weapons to use including: grenades, missiles and a foam gun that you can use in a number of different ways. Ammo is unlimited for the regular guns and plentiful in every save room for the rest. This was a great design choice and is a must have for games in this style.

Even though the ammo is unlimited for the ‘normal’ guns, there is a reload mechanic that might catch you in a bad spot if you tend to just hold down the right trigger and expect bullets to constantly fly. I took quite a bit of damage before realizing that ducking behind some boxes as I reload is a good idea. There is somewhat of a cover mechanic here but it’s not a button press-to-cover system that’s seen in so many third person shooters. You just have to use the crouch button to hide behind different scenery items.

We build bridges, not burn them.

The most innovative weapon I’ve seen in awhile is the foam gun. After being stuck in one spot for a few minutes, I remembered that I had just picked up the specialized gun and could use it to build a bridge to cross the gap that was previously uncrossable. The three special weapons provide access to places you can’t get without them and its the only way you can 100% the game. While the ammo for these guns is plentiful, there are certain times when you want to watch how casually you use them. You can make the game a lot harder for yourself if you constantly run low of special weapon ammo.

Not Hard but Great

The enemies in Shadow Complex are not programmed with real advanced AI which makes for quite an easy game on the normal setting. Even though the enemies are not difficult, I never tired of shooting them. When you get up close, Jason performs a melee attack that zooms in on the action, showing a different viewpoint while he gives the enemies a taste of his fists. However, it isn’t until you get to the boss fights that you tend to lose a lot of health and even those aren’t too difficult. However, they can be intimidating because remember, you’re just a dude up against these huge mechs. Some of the bosses brought back memories of Metal Gear while others reminded me of ED-209.

Your move, creep!

Like any “Metroidvania” game, the idea behind Shadow Complex is exploring every corner of the map, picking up power-ups and advancing the story along the way. There are a ton of hidden rooms containing the game’s collectible items that you won’t be able to find unless you ignore the blue line on the map that gives you a clue about where to head next. These items range from gold bars to power ups for the cool auxiliary weapons you discover in the game. The first time you go through a room, you can see places that have secret items but you don’t have the ability to get them yet. It can be frustrating at points, especially if you spend more than a few minutes trying to do everything you can to reach that secret. Just remember, you’ll get it eventually and move along.

While the focus of Shadow Complex isn’t the story, it remains an interesting background player to the strong gameplay. You’ll pick up various info eavesdropping on the soldiers of the Progressive Restoration that help move the story along without it becoming the main focus. Interestingly enough, Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game) was contacted by the makers of Shadow Complex (Chair Entertainment) about coming up with a story that ties into the video game and has written two books based in this world. After finishing the game I am mildly interested in reading those books but I’d really just rather play a sequel.

Is This Really Downloadable?

One of the best things that can be said about this game came from my wife when she saw me playing it. She said in complete surprise “This is a downloadable game? It looks like a game you’d buy at the store.” I have to agree with her. It’s only 15 bucks and is a ton more fun than many games that are sold in boxes on shelves.

Good thing he has his climbing gear.

The only real negative thing I can say about Shadow Complex is that I’m ashamed that it took me so long to play it. It is definitely a must purchase for any Xbox 360 owner, even if you aren’t a fan of Castlevania or Metroid. It has enough shooting action and exploration elements to keep the gamer interested for up to 10 hours in single player, not to mention the challenge rooms that I’ve barely explored. Like I said before, $15 for this much of a game is a steal. I would have paid twice that and been completely satisfied. Try it out for yourself, you will not be disappointed. And if you are, you’re wrong.