This week in Xbox Live Arcade –
Shadow Complex is releasing on the XBLA this week. It is the final game in the Summer of Arcade. Which is kinda disappointing, since it’s a reminder that summer is almost over. However, it’s also exciting because it means Shadow Complex is releasing. This game weighs in shy of a gig of HDD space but it’s worth every bit of room it takes up. This game won quite a few awards at this years E3 Conference and it’s easy to see why. The graphics and presentation are remeniscent of a last generation game and for an XBLA title, that’s a good thing.
Chair included a note in the game’s help file and it says that Shadow Complex is set in the universe of a Orson Scott Card Novel called Empire and is also a companion to a future novel named Hidden Empire. Hopefully this means that we’ll see sequels and possibly a new IP for maybe even a full retail game. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
The gameplay is typical 2.5-D side-scrolling adventure. It has the elements of a classic old school game but the cut scenes give it a new school feel. I think Gears fans will find some familiar game elements as well. In the Main Adventure, you’ll explore the complex, gathering upgrades and weapons to help you gain access to new areas. At the same time, you’ll be figuring out exactly who you’re up against and what they are up to as the story unwraps. The other game mode is known as the Proving Grounds. You’ll have to master each weapon and ability to make through each of the 21 levels in the Challenge Packs.
You start this amazing game with a flashlight and a crappy jumping ability. The good news, as you work your way into the complex you’ll find plenty of ammo and ability upgrades. You’ll get guns that are more powerful and a myriad of items that interact with the environment depending on their color. Yup, I said their color. This is where the flashlight comes in. Shine it on objects to reveal a color that indicates what weapon or action will affect it. You can check in the pause menu if you forget the color code. Don’t have the item needed? Well you’ll have to remember to come back to the area. It’ll be shown on your map so it shouldn’t be too terribly hard to remember.
I had a great time with this game. I’ll be playing it without a doubt for awhile. If you run straight through it you could finish in a few hours. I’ve got a lot more time in then that. I keep finding myself exploring and going back looking for things I may have missed. I’m trying to finish my first run through finding 100% of the items. It’s gonna be tough, but it’ll be fun. Plus, it didn’t help that I spent 4.5 hours perfecting the first stage of the Proving Grounds to take the #1 spot on the leaderboards. 
This game is setting a precedent for other Arcade games to follow. That’s not to say I still don’t have a soft spot for classic arcade titles and styles, so please keep them coming. I think 1200 MS point games were a little ahead of their time but now it seems the games are catching up. Shadow Complex is definitely worth the 1200 MS point price tag.
~Scratch
Developed by Chair Entertainment & Epic Games
Published by Microsoft Game Studios
1200 MS Points
Released: 08-19-09
