- Publisher: Yacht Club Games
- Release Date: Jan 26, 2021
- Also On: PC, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One
- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
- Unscored
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Feb 1, 2021Tough, beautiful retro games might seem like they’re everywhere these days. You might be losing track of them all in the midst of this recent deluge. I promise Cyber Shadow is one of the good ones. A delicate balance is struck between challenge and accessibility, leaving you bloodied and eager for more. The art and the music is among the best you’ll see all year long. Finally, the mechanical guts of this game are perfectly tuned. While some players will be rebuked by certain NES-era sensibilities (like the knockback effect), the overall experience is practically sublime. If you’re looking for a Ninja Gaiden send-up that’s been dragged into the 21st century, look no further than Cyber Shadow.
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Feb 5, 2021Without inventing anything, Cyber Shadow does everything right by creating a magnificent combination of elements, building a challenging, high-paced experience that proves that 4K and ray tracing are not necessary to create an unforgettable game in 2021.
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Mar 11, 2021Cyber Shadow is a compelling modern retelling of the iconic retro classics of yesteryear. Sure, there are issues; the pacing feels off and 'knockback' really should have been consigned to the dustbin of unwanted gaming mechanics. None-the-less, Cyber Shadow is basically Ninja Gaiden if it had been released in 2021. Not sure I can think of any higher praise than that.
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Mar 5, 2021Jumping around as a ninja in a cyberpunk world makes for a great retro-style game. Whenever a new type of action or mechanic is introduced, Cyber Shadow feels genuinely fresh. While its progression might be overwhelming at times, it’s a satisfying package for sure.
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Feb 16, 2021Cyber Shadow is not a perfect game; levels occasionally overstay their welcome and the visual variety between locales is quite limited. Still, the core gameplay and design are so polished that it's hard to put down. Nothing feels more satisfying than successfully comboing together Shadow's moves to narrowly survive a perilous set-piece. It learns the best lessons from its classic inspirations while still trying out new things, culminating in a smooth, difficult, and rewarding experience for fans of the genre.
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Jan 25, 2021There’s no better way to sum it up than just by getting straight to the point: Cyber Shadow is a fun action-platformer and one that expertly emulates the NES classic of yore. While it also kept some rather hair-pulling moments, largely thanks to a few annoying level sections, it still manages to deliver the type of classic, action-packed gameplay that the best games in the genre were known for. Throw in an engaging story, superb graphics and a few neat secrets, and this is one throwback to a twisted cybernetic future worth basking in.
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Jan 25, 2021Cyber Shadow is a wonderful merging of old-school aesthetic and modern design sensibilities, much like Shovel Knight was back in 2014. Sure, its story is forgettable and some of its checkpoint placements are far enough apart to make me hesitant to apply a “tough but fair” label without caveats, but the way it evolves and changes over the course of its seven to eight hour campaign thanks to excellent level, enemy, and progression design is exemplary. Combine that with what’s an early contender for best soundtrack of 2021, and it’s easy to see Cyber Shadow as the start of something great for both Mechanical Head Studios and Yacht Club Games.
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Feb 11, 2021Cyber Shadow is not only a great homage to times gone, but also a quite enjoyable game in itself. What lacks in originality it compensated by great controls and a spot-on level design.
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Feb 2, 2021Cyber Shadow is the exciting product of melding memorable NES classics such as Mega Man and Ninja Gaiden. It's difficult and frustrating at times, but the stylish 8-bit look, bopping soundtrack and enjoyable gameplay result in a quality action-platformer.
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Jan 26, 2021Cyber Shadow keeps its promise without question. This tribute to Ninja Gaiden draws on period games to give us a fun and exhilarating platform / action game. Bosses all over the place, an agile hero and a pretty tough challenge, that's exactly what we hoped for. While it will surprise players less than a Shovel Knight or The Messenger, who went further in their ambitions, it remains a good experience for fans of the genre.
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Jan 25, 2021Cyber Shadow is definitely a genuine old-school experience which mostly works in its favour although it can be a frustrating test of patience at times. No matter which way you slice it, if you enjoy old-school 2D action games, playing Cyber Shadow is a must.
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Mar 5, 2021While Cyber Shadow is fundamentally a solid game, it does go to show that some robot Ninjas aren’t built as well as others.
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Jan 25, 2021All in all, Yacht Club Games‘ return to the role of publisher for other developer’s games is a bit of a mixed bag. Cyber Shadow delivers good action platforming, stunning art, great music, and incredible boss fights. Regrettably, the story, pacing, and exploration all drag it down. In the end, the positives are strong enough to make Cyber Shadow a fun adventure for indie platformers fans, NES Ninja Gaiden fans, or even gamers who just like tons of challenging boss fights.
| This publication does not provide a score for their reviews. | |
| This publication has not posted a final review score yet. | |
| These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation. | |
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Jan 25, 2021There’s a fine line between challenging games and frustrating ones, especially when you’re trying to pay homage to games that were released three decades ago. But with Cyber Shadow, Mechanical Head Games proves that with a few smart, modern twists, it’s possible to make a retro-style platformer with all the difficulty of the past, and few of the frustrations. [Impressions]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 10 out of 16
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Mixed: 3 out of 16
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Negative: 3 out of 16
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Apr 4, 2021Excelente game, parece mistura de ninja gaiden, contra e castlevania. Inclusive na dificuldade
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Mar 2, 2021This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view.
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Feb 6, 2021