Cyber Shadow

 Xbox One
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 27
  3. Negative: 3 out of 27

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Rav3
    Jan 31, 2021
    7
    There’s a lot to like here, and a lot to dislike. While Cyber Shadow nails the 8 bit ninja gaiden vibes down, it also grinds full front into a game that’s simply difficult for the sake of being difficult. There’s nothing wrong with that, for the record, but the frustrations certainly outweighed the enjoyment, in my personal experience. If you love old school NES games like Mega Man, you’llThere’s a lot to like here, and a lot to dislike. While Cyber Shadow nails the 8 bit ninja gaiden vibes down, it also grinds full front into a game that’s simply difficult for the sake of being difficult. There’s nothing wrong with that, for the record, but the frustrations certainly outweighed the enjoyment, in my personal experience. If you love old school NES games like Mega Man, you’ll likely enjoy this. Otherwise, unlike Shovel Knight, this is a hard game to recommend to the masses.… Expand
  2. DelTorro
    Feb 1, 2021
    8
    Just finished my first playthrough. Took my time, got 100% of upgrades and secrets (also hundreds of deaths).

    Lets be honest, what do you really expect from a game baring such a resemblance to games like ninja gaiden? A stern challenge is a given. The real question is it worth the time to learn and i really think it is. While I did sigh a few times in frustration I mostly loved it;    Just finished my first playthrough. Took my time, got 100% of upgrades and secrets (also hundreds of deaths).

    Lets be honest, what do you really expect from a game baring such a resemblance to games like ninja gaiden? A stern challenge is a given. The real question is it worth the time to learn and i really think it is.

    While I did sigh a few times in frustration I mostly loved it; the great visuals, tight controls and exceptional music kept me wanting to boot up the game time and again.

    However, I do think the game becomes FAR more enjoyable when the player finally gets their full ensemble of abilities.    … Expand
  3. GamergodsFail
    Jan 31, 2021
    8
    Cyber Shadow is exclusively for old-school veterans and other fans of brutally difficult NES-style platforming games, particularly Ninja Gaiden. I am not one of these people, but thanks to the game's cool sci-fi theme, incredible soundtrack and tight controls I feel it helps me perservere through muscle memory and simple trial and error. Along with the Bloodstained: Curse of the MoonCyber Shadow is exclusively for old-school veterans and other fans of brutally difficult NES-style platforming games, particularly Ninja Gaiden. I am not one of these people, but thanks to the game's cool sci-fi theme, incredible soundtrack and tight controls I feel it helps me perservere through muscle memory and simple trial and error. Along with the Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon series, this is another must-have for retro gamers. It's somewhat an addicting challenge, although I do wish it had the same amount of accessability options that Bloodstained offers for newer (and younger) players.… Expand
  4. Reed618
    Jan 28, 2021
    7
    Cyber shadow has an excellent art style. The cutscenes in particular look phenomenal. The bosses and character models are great too although the stages feel a bit generic at times.

    The combat is enjoyable, the boss fights in particular but mobility feels limited. As you progress you unlock new abilities which make traversal easier but i feel like platforming in particular is a bit of a    Cyber shadow has an excellent art style. The cutscenes in particular look phenomenal. The bosses and character models are great too although the stages feel a bit generic at times.

    The combat is enjoyable, the boss fights in particular but mobility feels limited. As you progress you unlock new abilities which make traversal easier but i feel like platforming in particular is a bit of a nightmare at times.

    The main issue this game has is its trial and error nature. There's roughly 4 hours of content here but due to the high difficulty and the spacing between checkpoints most people will put double into it. It can be fun replaying sequences again and again to master them. Katana zero did this very well. Personally I found tricky enemy placement and weak platforming made the experience very frustrating at times.

    I'm currently about 70% of the way through and the overall experience is good but there are moments when I feel like I hate this game. It never feels like a fast pace ninja adventure. I end up moving incredibly carefully because it seems like the only way to make it to the next checkpoint. If I rush I might trip a security laser and get swarmed by enemies for example.

    Even some of the fun sections like the motorbike part felt trial and error. I had very high hopes for this being one of the standout indie titles of 2021 but it doesn't seem overly memorable. It's a real shame since the story and world are quite cool.    … Expand
  5. AllanP1no
    Jan 28, 2021
    9
    me parece un exelente juego y sin duda es recomendable, la jugabilidad y la musica son de lo mejor.
  6. KlaatuHorror
    May 11, 2021
    7
    Me ha traido grandes recierdos de la época de los 16 bits, es juego es desafiante y muy adictivo. Y con el Game pass lo tenéis a un click de botón.
  7. churros
    Feb 4, 2021
    10
    Pros:
    + amazing controls and power-ups
    + amazing pixel art and soundtrack
    + great pace and learning curve
    + memorable boss fights
    + multiple ways to approach challenges
    + CRT filter
    + not a rogue-like
    + light metroidvania elements

    Cons:
    - CRT filter bug
  8. Larsjess
    Jan 30, 2021
    10
    Very good game in this genre. The bosses are great, the music fenominal and the overall polishment is super. The controls do seem to purposefully stick to old fashions such as dubble tap to run instead if simply holding rt. Some difficuktu derives from this which is less fun ino
  9. Cheesy2oh
    Feb 19, 2021
    9
    The music is great, the level design is great, and the retro design is great. The levels are challenging but beatable, and it is amazing that developers are still building nostalgic games.
  10. cL-esuna-
    Oct 4, 2021
    9
    This game is CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED.

    Easily in the top five side scrollers I've ever played. Right up there with Castlevania 3, Rondo of Blood, MeagaMan X/Zero, etc. You can tell this game was no chore for its developers to make, everything I experienced in this game SCREAMS passion. But its not the incredible graphics, sound or gameplay that make this game stand out. Its the fact    This game is CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED.

    Easily in the top five side scrollers I've ever played. Right up there with Castlevania 3, Rondo of Blood, MeagaMan X/Zero, etc.

    You can tell this game was no chore for its developers to make, everything I experienced in this game SCREAMS passion.

    But its not the incredible graphics, sound or gameplay that make this game stand out. Its the fact that the developers had the balls to make a challenging game in the year 2021 that doesn't hold your hand throughout the entire experience.

    Beating a video game should be something you earn, not something you just complete like a movie or a book. This game made perfect use of its checkpoint system, it REALLY made you feel like you had to learn and grow as a player in order to progress. This games adversity makes you feel REWARDED for overcoming it. Something that's been missing from the modern day era of games essentially beating themselves.

    Thank you for making me use my brain again to beat a video game, because if not for that, then what the hell is the point of playing? You guys rock! Can't wait for your next game.    … Expand
  11. dhamih
    Oct 18, 2021
    10
    Masterpiece.

    This game doesn't hold your hand and is very faithful to the original, often times brutal, difficulty of 2d sidescrolling platformers from the 8-bit era. Incredible visuals, amazing chiptune soundtrack, and precise controls (using the D-pad).
  12. Willehalm
    Feb 6, 2022
    10
    Challenge parfait pour un hardcore gamer sans jamais être injuste. Ma madeleine de Proust qui me remémore les meilleurs moment 8 et 16 bits.

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best Xbox One Game of 2021
14
#14 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Malditos Nerds
    Feb 23, 2021
    90
    An 8-bit unforgettable experience that empowers the player more than several modern games, with a replayability value that is more emotional than mechanical.
    Read full review
  2. GameMAG
    Feb 8, 2021
    80
    There is not a single original idea in Cyber Shadow, but it's a great game created with love for the classics like Ninja Gaiden.
    Read full review
  3. Everyeye.it
    Feb 7, 2021
    70
    Cyber Shadow is a good product overall, and a decent debut for Mechanical Head's young Finns; a two-dimensional action that pays dignified homage to a game formula capable of still carving out an important space in today's videogame panorama. Its distinctly hardcore nature and amarcord vein make it a title probably unappetizing to a majority audience, certainly pleasant for lovers of old action-platform arcade experiences on the edge of game over. Too bad for the absence of that ludo-stylistic flicker capable of making it emerge, as well as its questionable rush to a truly unnecessary excess.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »