9 Years of Shadows

 PC
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 31
  3. Negative: 5 out of 31

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  1. OwlMav
    Mar 30, 2023
    9
    9 Years of Shadows is a must-play for anyone who loves Metroidvania games. This game has many unique features that set it apart from other games. For me, the best thing about this game is the attention to detail in every hand-crafted scenery, and its great story. The things that the developers could improve are the difficulty and the mechanics of the non-boss enemies.

    So if you're    9 Years of Shadows is a must-play for anyone who loves Metroidvania games. This game has many unique features that set it apart from other games. For me, the best thing about this game is the attention to detail in every hand-crafted scenery, and its great story. The things that the developers could improve are the difficulty and the mechanics of the non-boss enemies.

    So if you're looking for a new game to play, give this one a try - you won't be disappointed!    … Expand
  2. BabyDontHurtMe
    Mar 31, 2023
    9
    This game is the perfect example of good harmony between video game elements. I like that the game makes sense to me. Beautiful art, animations, and gameplay.
  3. Damien29
    Apr 2, 2023
    9
    Astonishing aesthetic, the colors on the pixel art are just jaw dropping. Besides this… the game play is dynamic with a fun interaction with the armors and a lovely bear. What about the music? Man… THE MUSIC! Just give it a try and you won’t stop hearing that soundtrack! “9 Years of Shadows” is the new kid on the block on metroidvanias… and it will stay as fan favorites, no doubt.
  4. jesusgrb
    Apr 3, 2023
    9
    This video game is very good. The art and music stand out the most in 9 Years of Shadows. I liked the attention to detail in the art and the mechanics.
    The mechanics make the video game feel very good and fluid.
    The music and collaboration of composers make it an ecstasy to play it.
    I totally recommend it.
  5. gabopereiras
    Apr 3, 2023
    9
    "9 Years of Shadow" is a game that provides a thoroughly enjoyable experience for players. The game's mechanics are excellent, providing a balanced and challenging gameplay experience, and the platforming elements are fluid. The engaging narrative adds an extra layer of depth to the gameplay, making it a truly immersive experience. The stunning art style and attention to detail in the"9 Years of Shadow" is a game that provides a thoroughly enjoyable experience for players. The game's mechanics are excellent, providing a balanced and challenging gameplay experience, and the platforming elements are fluid. The engaging narrative adds an extra layer of depth to the gameplay, making it a truly immersive experience. The stunning art style and attention to detail in the game's design create a breathtaking visual experience. The fantastic soundtrack complements the gameplay and heightens the emotional impact of the story. Overall, "9 Years of Shadow" is an exceptional game that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a engaging metroidvania game.… Expand
  6. corfer_eladar
    Mar 28, 2023
    9
    The game has a top soundtrack and pixel art + a great story for a Metroidvania. The game also brings a lot of memories (reminds me of Saint Seiya!). I loved the mechanics and the world and think there is a lot of material for more games! Things that can be improved: For me, besides the boss battles, was a bit on the easy side and there needs to be a bit more variety of enemies. MoreThe game has a top soundtrack and pixel art + a great story for a Metroidvania. The game also brings a lot of memories (reminds me of Saint Seiya!). I loved the mechanics and the world and think there is a lot of material for more games! Things that can be improved: For me, besides the boss battles, was a bit on the easy side and there needs to be a bit more variety of enemies. More exploration would be nice as well... Even if the game is a bit short for its price is obviously worth it! If you like these type of games pick it up!… Expand
  7. 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 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    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 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
  8. Michel123
    Mar 28, 2023
    3
    Just another metroidvania. It has good boos fights and level design, but is just another castlevania be like.
  9. 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 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    9 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
  10. 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
  11. Gonzalox89
    Apr 7, 2023
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Es un metroidvania Si...... Pero le falta la raiz como la historia que brilla por su ausencia. si bien los ataques son algo entretenidos no hay motivacion por seguir adelante, vamos que es lo basico de un metroid o castlevania clasico, ni siquiera hacia falta una cinematica sino contexto. No esperen algo sorprendente que les atraiga rejugarlo. Solo jueguenlo una vez y listo. No hara falta nada mas… Expand
  12. evgen6891
    Jun 24, 2023
    7
    Достаточно спорная вещь. Не думаю, что я решусь когда-нибудь переиграть, но по большей части было приятно.В итоге могу сказать, что для дебютной работы 9 Years of Shadows очень хороша. Не без своих неудачных решений, спорных механик и необходимости править техническую часть Это отличное приобретение для ценителей жанра метроидваний.Достаточно спорная вещь. Не думаю, что я решусь когда-нибудь переиграть, но по большей части было приятно.В итоге могу сказать, что для дебютной работы 9 Years of Shadows очень хороша. Не без своих неудачных решений, спорных механик и необходимости править техническую часть Это отличное приобретение для ценителей жанра метроидваний.
  13. Dan_Yeni
    May 14, 2023
    2
    9 Years of Shadows is a metroidvania like that tries to inovate the genre, but kind of fails. The lore its misterious, but boring. The usual gameplay its different, but not good as the classics. You dont have a level system, so doesnt make any sense to fight enemys, just avoid them. And they are all repetitive, besides there are no intelligence at all, you can learn their pattern in 2 or 39 Years of Shadows is a metroidvania like that tries to inovate the genre, but kind of fails. The lore its misterious, but boring. The usual gameplay its different, but not good as the classics. You dont have a level system, so doesnt make any sense to fight enemys, just avoid them. And they are all repetitive, besides there are no intelligence at all, you can learn their pattern in 2 or 3 moves. The game emphasizes the colour as a major importance in the story, but the color palette is extremely flat with no contrast at all. The quests are useless, with dialogs that doent sum up to anything. The life system its strange to get use to, you have a life/energy bar that you need to use to fire your power but drains your life. And there are a lot of copy content in the game, not inspirations, copies! The elevator animations its just like samus, the armor are just like golden knights from Saint Seiya, even a boss named Andros Mask (stars fox just sayed hello here). Again, I see some critics praising this game for beeing "beatiful" and not broken, but for this are a basic need for a game exist and I feel that just not worth my time playing.… Expand
  14. 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 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.
  15. ZYMROD
    Jun 28, 2023
    7
    Es un juego hermoso en lo artístico pero su exploración y desarrollo no se siente tan orgánico. Como es el caso de las armaduras que no convencen en su ejecución y su planteamiento tan lineal en la exploración que a ratos suele cansar y aburrir. Como primer acercamiento no esta mal, pero si llevas años jugando este genero terminaras decepcionado por su escasa rejugabilidad y por lasEs un juego hermoso en lo artístico pero su exploración y desarrollo no se siente tan orgánico. Como es el caso de las armaduras que no convencen en su ejecución y su planteamiento tan lineal en la exploración que a ratos suele cansar y aburrir. Como primer acercamiento no esta mal, pero si llevas años jugando este genero terminaras decepcionado por su escasa rejugabilidad y por las altas expectativas que se genero durante su desarrollo.… Expand
  16. Fausthor
    Aug 11, 2023
    8
    A nice indie metroidvania with beautiful pixel art, solid gameplay, and a couple bugs. The game mechanics make traversing the game a very enjoyable experience. If you are a fan of Saint Seiya, the game aesthetic will be very pleasing to you.
  17. maria_ochoa
    Apr 4, 2023
    9
    9 Years of Shadows is an incredible game. The art is stunning!
    The soundtrack is fantastic. The boss fights are fluid and dynamic.
    This game combines the best elements of the "old school" metroidvanias with new mechanics and technology. If you like metroidvanias, you should give it a try!
  18. ClaireEvs
    Apr 3, 2023
    9
    9 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.
  19. Zackblayck
    Apr 14, 2023
    10
    This game is a "back to basic" metroidvania but in a totally good way. It feels like a really old game brought to the present. It's vibrant, lively and it's easy to pick up on the game mechanics quickly. The gameplay is smooth, the cutscenes are very well done. The animation is amazing, the way Europa's dress seems to flow is stunning.
  20. 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 what they want to show. This is the Lo-fi Metroidvania I didn´t know I wanted.
  21. gimmesomethruth
    Apr 15, 2023
    10
    Although is a short game, what the games offers is a classic experience that reminded me a lot of Aria of Sorrow and Megaman Zero. The music is phenomenal and the backgrounds are breathtaking.
  22. 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 great power trip to go from nothing to something in a classic metroidvania.

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Most Discussed PC Game of 2023

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. 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.
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  2. Multiplayer.it
    Apr 20, 2023
    65
    9 Years of Shadow is not a true metroidvania and should not be approached as such. It is a scrolling action game that is linear most of the time and does not have much content, as you can get 100% in less than ten hours. The combo system is very simple, with few moves available, and attacks from a distance are far too powerful. If you are a fan of the genre you might give it a chance, as soon as you find it in a price range you think is appropriate, but don't expect it to be your new benchmark in terms of quality.
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  3. Shindig
    Apr 14, 2023
    80
    Those technical troubles aside, 9 Years of Shadows is a marvelous adventure. It’s a more intimate take on the metroidvania formula, but what it lacks in scale it more than makes up for in clever design and synergy between its moving parts. The sheer beauty of the game and the world it asks you to explore don’t hurt, either.
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