9 Years of Shadows

 PC
9 Years of Shadows Image
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: For 9 long years, the world has been submerged in the deepest of shadows, robbing every object and living creature of their color. Once a thriving civilization, the people have forgotten the warmth of the sun, the joy of laughter and the promise of a prosperous future.

    Many brave souls have    For 9 long years, the world has been submerged in the deepest of shadows, robbing every object and living creature of their color. Once a thriving civilization, the people have forgotten the warmth of the sun, the joy of laughter and the promise of a prosperous future.

    Many brave souls have tried to venture inside the corrupting depths of Talos Castle, a long-abandoned orphanage from which the curse stemmed, but with each futile attempt, resignation became the daily fare for the people, all hope lost. Except for one person.

    Armed with little other than her halberd and sheer nerve, Europa's daunting quest is clear: enter the castle, find the source of darkness, and return color to the lands before it is too lat    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Gamer Escape
    Mar 27, 2023
    90
    If any part of 9 Years of Shadows looks appealing to you, you owe it to yourself to pick it up. This is an amazing game made by a heretofore unknown team, and I can only hope that Halberd Studios has plans for a follow-up. They deserve to be showered in praise, and this game deserves your time and attention.
  2. Softpedia
    Apr 4, 2023
    85
    Nine Years of Shadows is a good Metroidvania with an impressive presentation and intriguing world. Gameplay mechanics will be instantly familiar to any genre fans and easy to understand for newcomers. There aren’t too many surprises in the narrative but it is imbued with a sense of optimism that kept me engaged. I wanted more variety for combat encounters and a smoother difficulty curve for the bosses. The game also has a weird tendency to put its save rooms just outside of the way enough that it’s easy to forget about them and lose progress. But otherwise, Nine Years of Shadows execute a good idea well and its look allows it to distinguish itself from competitors.
  3. NPR
    Apr 21, 2023
    85
    9 Years of Shadows is an approachable pickup for anyone interested in a light and charming metroidvania. If you want some colorful and thoughtful action in your life, this one's for you.
  4. Noisy Pixel
    Mar 27, 2023
    75
    Hopefully, post-launch patches will arrive to remedy this experience to its best possible iteration because it deserves it. Underneath it all, 9 years of Shadows is a fantastic time assumedly hampered by developmental circumstances.
  5. GameOver.gr
    Apr 8, 2023
    70
    9 Years of Shadows is a typical metroidvania which still manages to draw attention thanks to its interesting design and the somewhat eccentric elements of its world building.
  6. GLHF on Sports Illustrated
    Mar 31, 2023
    70
    9 Years of Shadows can be frustrating in places, but if you’re looking for a 2D Metroidvania with solid combat, enjoyable platforming, and beautiful world design, it ticks all of those boxes.
  7. Hey Poor Player
    Mar 27, 2023
    60
    I can’t pretend the glitches I encountered in 9 Years of Shadows weren’t frustrating, especially as a backer. I can only hope that Halberd Studios and Freedom Games take my complaints to heart and does everything they can to patch these problems as quickly as possible. Because underneath all the glitches, there’s a truly fantastic adventure, and one I still really enjoyed. If you’re a fan of Metroidvanias, definitely put this one on your wishlist. Just maybe wait on pulling the trigger until the developers have had a chance to make some necessary fixes.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 22
  3. Negative: 4 out of 22
  1. dreamcinnammon
    Mar 30, 2023
    10
    9 Years of Shadows is one of the best sweet metroidvanias I have played in a while. The feeling of this game is like playing Metroid Fusion9 Years of Shadows is one of the best sweet metroidvanias I have played in a while. The feeling of this game is like playing Metroid Fusion back in the day. The game is clustered in key areas and the level design guides the player towards the next goal without making the player feel lost or too much straightforward.
    While the combat is a bit simple, it's a highlight of the game because you can combine the combos and it allows the same cancels as any Castlevania game. With the cancels, you can make infinte combos to any boss making a TON of damage, leading to satisfying moments when you connect them well.

    In addition to the gameplay, the game looks phenomenal, even comparing with others like Blasphemous. The soundtrack shows that was made by Michiru Yamane and Norihiko Hibino.
    The only problem I think this game has is that is a little too short... but overall, 9 Years of Shadows was one of the best surprises the player had in quite a while.    … Expand
  2. seb400tastian
    Apr 3, 2023
    10
    9 Years of Shadows is an impressive video game that offers a unique and exciting experience. From its beautiful art and captivating story to9 Years of Shadows is an impressive video game that offers a unique and exciting experience. From its beautiful art and captivating story to its excellent gameplay and soundtrack, this game is truly a masterpiece.

    The visual aspect is simply stunning. The game's artistic style is very distinctive and unique, and the attention to detail is truly impressive. From landscapes and environments to characters and enemies, everything feels carefully designed to bring this world to life.

    This game is a masterpiece that any video game lover should have on their wishlist.    … Expand
  4. BarryWhite
    Apr 14, 2023
    10
    Short, fun & pretty metroidvania. 9 Years of Shadows is a nice and focused on the basics of a tight Metroidvania which goes great for whatShort, fun & pretty metroidvania. 9 Years of Shadows is a nice and focused on the basics of a tight Metroidvania which goes great for what they want to show. This is the Lo-fi Metroidvania I didn´t know I wanted.… Expand
  5. ClaireEvs
    Apr 3, 2023
    9
    9 Years of Shadows is a striking Metroidvania that mixes an entrancing soundtrack –with international guest composers– challenging gameplay9 Years of Shadows is a striking Metroidvania that mixes an entrancing soundtrack –with international guest composers– challenging gameplay and a stirring story to create one wonderful experience for fans of the genre and new players alike. Though I have encountered a couple of minor bugs and personally could have enjoyed having more save points, this is a game I will certainly recommend.… Expand
  6. Henriko
    Apr 18, 2023
    9
    This is an amazing experience. The gameplay runs pretty smoothly, the story is well-thought-out, the music is masterfully made. It was a greatThis is an amazing experience. The gameplay runs pretty smoothly, the story is well-thought-out, the music is masterfully made. It was a great power trip to go from nothing to something in a classic metroidvania.… Expand
  7. RoyBrewer
    Apr 12, 2023
    8
    The highlights of this game are the music and the art style. This game is a fun Metroidvania that won't take too much of your time to getThe highlights of this game are the music and the art style. This game is a fun Metroidvania that won't take too much of your time to get through, there are some moments where the game feels a bit easy with unexpected difficulty spikes for bosses. The devs were very clear about where there inspiration came from and you feel it in world and design.… Expand
  8. Marcekid
    Apr 7, 2023
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's a simple metroidvania... it's not a big deal. Although visually it is beautiful, it lacks substance, lack of narrative, NPCs that do not imply much in the gameplay, the fights with the bosses are good but the rest of the enemies are REPETITIVE, they only change their appearance, it even encourages you to evade them when you are already stronger something that is a shame since a lot of gameplay is lost, its duration is short something that should not be a problem in a metroidvania but this game does not invite to be replayable for something as simple as the narrative, good metroidvania but it simply does not convince me buy it day one. better to wait for a good offer, I leave aside the occasional small bug since it is irrelevant.… Expand

See all 22 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Most Discussed PC Game of 2023

Current PC Games

Full List »
93 Sektori
92 Resident Evil Requiem
91 Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
90 Lost and Found Co.
89 Rhythm Doctor
88 Mewgenics
88 Dying Light: The Beast Restored Land Definitive Edition
87 Hermit and Pig
87 Cross Blitz
87 Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
87 Tombwater
87 Mixtape
87 PRAGMATA
86 Diablo II: Resurrected - Reign of the Warlock
86 OPUS: Prism Peak
86 Perfect Tides: Station to Station
86 Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven
85 Esoteric Ebb
85 Titanium Court
68 Last Man Sitting
All Current Games »