PlatformOVERALL
Xbox 3608.10
Overall 8.10
Shadow Complex is Epic's love letter to Metroid and it's fans. This is a straight up Metroid clone right down to having the same map. All the elements you expect are there including powerups that open new doors, an open world to explore, weapon and health upgrades. What Epic does to keep this game a bit fresh is by making the world have depth while you stay in a 2D plane. This results in enemies firing at you from the back of the screen, firing back is as easy as aiming at them and your character will automatically shoot into the screen at them. The effect works great and it is kind of used in Metroid Other M.

There is a story but its basically Nathan Drake stumbles into a cave that is filled with homegrown terrorists with advanced tech. Of course you are just a normal guy in a t-shirt and jeans which means you are able to KILL THEM ALL. You find a super suit which allows you to double jump and do the hyperrun. This game has melee and stealth kills which is nice to have so that it is not all shooting.

The metroid formula works very well, it is because of that this game is so good BUT this is second rate Metroid in almost every way. The bosses are terrible, one boss literally rolled around the floor and ceiling while I stood in the center platform shooting at the boss, it died without one attempt at attacking me. The music is almost non-existent, secrets are not so secret, and the action in general is no where near as fast paced as Metroid. This game attempts to create a more realistic shooter where you can take cover and get headshots, that doesn't work in games like this and it is no where near as engaging as the frantic Metroid action.

Fans of this style of game should play it, odds are you already have. Its great but all its shortcomings shines a light on how excellent the Metroid series is.
Posted by Dvader Fri, 29 Jun 2012 01:53:58
 
Fri, 29 Jun 2012 08:24:53
I loved this game and yearn for another one.
My favorite sidescroller in a loooong time.
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