Shadow Complex: Classic gaming bliss in two-and-a-half dimensions

CNET editors Jeff Bakalar and Scott Stein take a look at the highly anticipated Xbox Live Arcade side-scrolling action platformer from Chair Entertainment and Epic Games, Shadow Complex.

Jeff:
Shadow Complex may look like your typical side-scrolling action game, but it does a lot of things that separates it from most platform exploration titles. The unique "2.5D" style takes a bit of getting used to, but you'll soon realize the genius behind the design.

Shadow Complex takes you through an intricate underground military facility where you must rescue your girlfriend who's been kidnapped during a camping trip. With a grid map as your only companion, you must explore the complex all while finding secret items and passageways. You'll also gradually unlock new weapons and ammo and upgrade your character's health in order to fight the mysterious regime.

We fully embrace the developer's choice to build Shadow Complex in such a way. Not only is it a tip of the hat to classic 2D games like the Metroid and Castlevania franchises, but introduces the genre to an entire generation of gamers who may not have been fortunate to play such titles.

With this 3D twist on a classic 2D genre, you're able to shoot at enemies in the background and foreground even though you cannot physically go there. The 360-degree aiming mechanic will automatically target your enemies who aren't necessarily in the same plane that your character is only able to navigate through.

Shadow Complex is truly a unique take on an older genre that will appeal to gamers young and old. It's available now for 1,200 MS Points (or $15) exclusively on Xbox Live Arcade.

Scott:
One of the best trends in all of gaming has to be the rise of low-cost original downloadables, and Shadow Complex is a great example of why it works. It's not the most original or the best game, but it's unique because it's new and it's made by a major studio. The term being thrown around all week long is "Metroidvania," but ignoring that, I'll simply say for the less gaming hardcore that it feels like a late-'80s arcade game reinvented and lifted into the next-gen universe.

The story, full of espionage and supersecret robot weaponry, feels like an '80s movie in itself. The 2D-style platform mixes with smart 3D graphics and an interface that becomes very easy to use. In fact, Epic's use of context-sensitive button moves reminded me of the way Gears of War made serious gaming a lot less complicated. You don't need a manual for this one, but it helps to pay attention to onscreen tutorials.

At $15, it's a really good buy. Maybe I'm a little spoiled, but I'd even like to see games like this slide to $10, where the decision to purchase would be nearly unconscious. As it is, however, it's a great retro tribute to side-scrolling action/adventure that doesn't get too retro for its own good--in other words, you don't need to have grown up in the late '80s in order to appreciate this game.

I'd stop short of drooling all over Shadow Complex's boots, but if your question to me was, "Scott, did you have fun playing this?" I'd say "Yes, certainly, and I'd like to play some more." Let's hope the trend continues--I'm sure it will.

[kormiko]

It's true. It is a good game. I probably would've bought it already if it were only $10.

I don't have quite enough Microsoft points on my account to buy it, so I'd have to buy more points or buy this on Amazon (and keep the points I have). This is why the point system sucks. They should just keep games to cash prices. I know why they do it ... people don't think "points" are money, so they'll spend more. That's why credit cards do so well ... along with Chuck E Cheese.

[chrkeller]

I plan on grabbing this game, I can't wait to check it out. I for one love these cheap downloads, $15 really isn't a big deal. I greatly enjoyed other downloads like Flower and Castle Crashers. I also like the trend of taking old out dated games up and redoing them for cheap, like Banjo and Perfect Dark.

[BulldogsRUs]

Actually Kormiko, that isn't entirely true. Microsoft has long said that it allowed for universal conversion for currency rates, how accurate this truly is, I'm not sure.

[iconoclast04]

I believe there's also the fact that they save on credit card transaction fees by making you purchase points in larger quantities rather than just spending $2-3 for every micro transaction.

[kormiko]

I thought about that universal conversion idea too (which is true), but they could just as easily use the dollar system (I think Sony does it that way, but not sure). When it comes down to it ... they know people spend points easier than dollars. It's like when you are going to a slot machine, they give credits when you win until you cash out ... they know you will spend credits in the machine easier/faster than putting in coins.

Microsoft also makes you pay for more points than you want to at any given time. I can't just buy 80 points if I wanted to buy one thing. The credit card transaction fees makes sense for that reason. I noticed that you can buy as low as 500 points for $6.25 on the Xbox360 itself. So, I did that instead of buying a 1600 point card somewhere. I just prefer spending dollars and not have points on my account that are just sitting there for a later time ... when I'll most likely have to buy more points than I need to get something else.

I'm not angry at MS since at least now you can buy the Xbox Live games on Amazon using straight cash (still have to buy points to get music game tracks or extra levels for shooter games or crap for your Avatar that you don't need. Though that lightsaber looks tempting, I'm not spending $5 for it).

[agriffith96]

I would be all over this game for 10 bucks. I paid 15 for TrialsHD and was left not satisfied at 15 bucks. 10 is the perfect price point for these games.

[arix777]

I bought the game and its excellent, well worth 15 dollars. This game is worth more than 15 bucks. Its really the first of its kind in terms of quality of content- I enjoyed it better than 50% of games I purchased for 40-50 dollars. This game costs almost the same as a 2 hour night time movie (or day time in NYC!) and its going to give you at least 6-? hours of entertainment. Seriously its one of the best purchases I made recently!

[DOGLLAMA]

I agree. This game is AMAZING! $15 is a steal! I have a long list of $60 games on my shelf that I need to play yet I can't pull myself away from Shadow Complex. It is just that good.

[Celtic_Hart81]

This game IS awesome. For $15 you can beat it. I'll admit that when I read about the concept of "2.5D", I wasn't sure it would work. The old school feel of an awesome side scroller is definitely there, but it takes it to a whole new level. I know that everyone is referencing Metroid and Castlevania when comparing this game, but to me it's better. I have been gaming for close to 20 years and this is one of the top action/adventure/shooter games I have played. If Microsoft is using Shadow Complex to push their "diskless" games model, it just might work. Now if only the XB Classics and Platinum games where the same value....

[amber0728]

Just bought TRIALS HD side scrolling HD game that has a lot of fun and challenging screens, not too many achievement options though. It's a great game and this one looks like a lot of fun but $15 for an arcade game seems too high - I'd rather pay a monthly subscription to play arcade games and maybe every month I get to UNLOCK one full version.

[SNESimon]

This game is awesome. Seriosly it's better than ost $60 games I've bought this year. Konami and Nintendo need to see this and make Castevania and Metroid remakes like this. Now that they see a game like this is still popular maybe they'll realize that they don't need to push 3D onto the games that don't need them.

[draz68]

I truly enjoyed this game. You owe it to yourself as a gamer to check this out if you haven't.

That said..
Scott, I had to ignore your entire side of the article as you:
A) don't know the difference between 'unconscious' vs 'subconscious'. Unconscious means you're passed out. Care to make a passed out purchase? lol

B) You don't know who CREATED the game.. Chair, not Epic. Chair was bought out by Epic but they are still Chair and were when they made this game. The only other game they made was 'Undertow'.

I share in your enthusiasm for the game but take the time to check what your write. You're trashing your credibility with simple mistakes.