I like the way ChAIR thinks. I may not agree with every decision they make, but when it comes to game design, we’re at least on the same chapter. The idea of a story-driven Super Metroid-style side-scrolling XBLA game with a big enough budget to give it some serious tech, is, well...the dream. It’s the game that I’ve been waiting to play.
But why? I savored every minute of Super Metroid many times over and have scoured every inch of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night—the personification of the strain—on three separate consoles; what’s my motivation for wanting yet another game cut from the same cloth? Can such a simple formula be so exhilarating? That’s just it—the fact that something so simple can be so intoxicating is what keeps me coming back for more. It’s a huge payoff for minimal effort. I know exactly what to expect from the gameplay, it’s the ambience I’m after. But is it really that simple?
Quite the contrary—the simpler the concept the more difficult to hit the mark I say. When you’re essentially combing over one gigantic 2D map, painstakingly retracing your steps to acquire the necessary components to breach previously impassable barriers to root out whatever evil lurks within, there isn’t much room for error. What makes Super Metroid and Castlevania so addicting is a combination of impeccable world design and supernatural nuance, driven by the perfect music and the allusion to a deeper story. Essentially all the places Shadow Complex stumbles. By basing their game in the plausible reality of a politically charged thriller, ChAIR bear the burden of creating real intrigue in a game where it need only be implied.
After witnessing the abduction of his girlfriend by heavily armed militia, I can almost buy Jason having the courage to stroll into a heavily fortified installation—it is a game after all—but where’s that courage when he’s watching her captor smash her in the face, closed fist, so hard that in real life (which this is supposed to be) her jaw would be shattered... “Oh no, Claire”? That’s the best he can do? Then two minutes later he’s channeling John McLane? It just doesn’t gel. Nothing is left to the imagination in Shadow Complex either. It’s a thriller without thrills; a puzzle with no pieces. There’s never any real sense of caring, danger, peril, or mystery. You’re a rat in a maze, eliminating faceless goons that divulge useless information on cue about a revolution we care nothing about. We already know that the wacko in the Rocketeer mask that still uses an intercom wants to reboot America. When do I get to settle into some atmospheric gameplay and square off against some formidable foes?
Shadow Complex never gets to that special place Super Metroid took us. It’s too straightforward and self explanatory. It never hits its stride as a sci-fi thriller either. It just kind of waffles between the two until you stumble upon the twist you saw coming in the first five minutes during the games nonsensical final act. But you know, I really liked Shadow Complex, in fact, I’m playing it again, this time on the Hardcore setting in the hopes that Lucious’ goons at least put up a fight. Why? Well, it’s like I said; I may not agree with every decision they make, but when it comes to game design, we’re at least on the same chapter. Taken as a straight XBLA action game, Shadow Complex is a triumph. To hell with the story, I just want to play with the suit. Where ChAIR hit their stride is transforming Jason Fleming from a cross between Nathan Drake and Gideon Wyeth, into a gun toting WMD. Once you’ve amassed the Thrust Pack, Omega Armor, SCHCA Mask, Friction Dampener—running at supersonic speed is a blast—WSAR60 Coil Rifle, Foam, Missiles, and the Grappling Hook, Shadow Complex is at its best as a multi-faceted action maze assault. Forget about the map and the mission and just play for 100% completion. The massive base makes a wonderful playground and ChAIR have loaded it with great action puzzles, supersonic gauntlets, surprise boss mecha, and some fantastic underwater exploration. It’s also absolutely gorgeous from top to bottom—I especially dig the outer rim—and once you’ve slipped on the suit the character design is awesome, not to mention completely dynamic to the environment.
It’s ironic: with Advent Rising, Donald and Jeremy Mustard nailed the story and fell short on the visual; and now with Shadow Complex the opposite applies. I say it’s time to make Advent Rising Complex. They’ve got the story, the tech, and the engine. What could possibly go wrong? score
7.5
out of ten verdict
Hits the mark as a sparkling XBLA action game, but misses the target as a Super Metroid/SotN-level experience.
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