Shadow Complex Remastered

 Xbox One
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. ICXM
    Apr 8, 2016
    85
    It’s a recommended upgrade even though it’s a little rough around the edges.
  2. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Apr 18, 2016
    80
    Fresh paint for this XBLA favourite is sufficient excuse to enjoy it all over again. [May 2016, p.85]
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  3. Worth Playing
    Apr 13, 2016
    80
    The gameplay remains faithful to the Metroidvania formula, warts and all, while the addition of partial 3-D fighting makes it feel fresh compared to its contemporaries.
  5. GameCrate
    Mar 28, 2016
    80
    While we're still itching for Shadow Complex 2 to be confirmed, Remastered will swimmingly make proper use of your time. Its action is still addictive and well structured, the visuals look great, and the extra Master Challenges and Achievements will take some time to clean up. More could've easily been added, but this is still Chair at its best – and that's well worth partaking.
  6. Vandal
    Mar 21, 2016
    80
    Shadow Complex still is an amazing metroidvania, and even though visually it hasn't aged particularly well, the core experience remains as engaging as it was back on Xbox 360.
  7. IGN Spain
    Mar 21, 2016
    80
    A remastered version with not many new features, but still an excellent game.
  8. Brash Games
    Mar 21, 2016
    80
    Shadow Complex Remastered is a great game that I can recommend to anybody who owns a Xbox One.
  9. Destructoid
    Mar 16, 2016
    80
    Shadow Complex was great in 2009, and for the most part, it still is to this day. You won't find many new elements in this remaster apart from standard graphical upgrades, but if it has been a few years since you've played the original version, it's worth going through the journey again.

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Best Xbox One Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 5 out of 16
  1. AchieveAddicts
    May 6, 2016
    8
    Shadow Complex Remastered, released May 3rd for Steam and PS4, and previously released for Xbox One, is true to the original, but is cleanedShadow Complex Remastered, released May 3rd for Steam and PS4, and previously released for Xbox One, is true to the original, but is cleaned up with a new shiny coat of paint. While I don't think the 360 original looked bad at all, this version makes the most of the original assets, and releasing on different platforms allows a new generation of people to experience this great game.

    The Good

    For those that haven't played the game before, Shadow Complex Remastered is a Metroidvania style game, and starts with a couple out for a hike. The main character, Jason, discovers his girlfriend has been captured, because apparently they had stumbled upon a secret military base, and a plan to take over the American Government. Jason's main goal is to rescue his girlfriend, but the more he explores, he realizes he has to take action.

    As you traverse the map, finding secrets and hidden passages, you begin to unlock upgrades for your weaponry and abilities, in true Metroidvania fashion. The ultimate goal of the game, besides rescuing your girlfriend and saving the country, is to uncover 100% of the map, and find all hidden collectibles as you proceed through the story. The more health and weapon upgrades you find, the easier it will make your path to victory.

    The great thing about this game is that the action and set pieces all flow together so well that you feel like a hero. The epic confrontations with giant mechs, helicoptors, and heavily armed soldiers will keep you on your toes. Everything flows together well to blend a great action game, with a sense of adventure, all while letting you explore if you want.

    The Bad

    The story of the game is standard fare, and though it is based on an Orson Scott Card novel "Empire", it isn't very memorable. I wouldn't call the story 'bad'...but it isn't that great either. While the story fails, that isn't the games main focus, so I can let is slide. Characters could have been more fleshed out, but the way this game plays, with minimal cut scenes, that could change the pacing of the game, which I wouldn't want.

    Although the combat and set pieces in this game are well planned out, the choice of having this be a 2.5D game causes some issues with the shooting mechanics. Luckily the places where it causes issue don't pop up often, but it can get frustrating dying because the gun didn't shoot where you wanted it to. Checkpoints are provided often, so you never have far to go if you do die, which is nice.

    The other main issue I came across in this game were certain sections where it seemed the camera didn't follow as it should. When I needed to swim through a cavern, the camera would focus on the sediment at the bottom of the water pool, and I couldn't see myself. Again, this only happened a couple of times, and it didn't change the gameplay, once I figured out where I needed to go and orientated myself.

    The Achievements

    The achievements in this game are pretty good. You will get at least 15 achievements for completing the game and finding all of the collectibles. Even more will be unlocked if you kill enemies a certain way, get head-shots, etc. The skill required to complete this game is fairly high, as you will need to complete it in under 2 hours on any difficulty, and under 3 hours on Insane. There are also a few achievements for the minimalist, like completing the game with 4% of the stuff you should pick up. Because of this, it will require several playthroughs.

    Final Verdict

    Shadow Complex Remastered is a great game that is highly recommended, and although it shows its age in certain places, it is still one of the best games available today, and owners of any of the platforms available should play it, especially those that are fans of Metroidvania style games. Give it a shot, and you won't be disappointed. And if you played it previously on the 360, play it again for the Challenges and new achievements!    … Full Review »
  2. Awanka
    Aug 27, 2022
    5
    It's like a poor man's Super Metroid. The combat is a bit kludgy, but works more or less. There are some things with perspective it doesIt's like a poor man's Super Metroid. The combat is a bit kludgy, but works more or less. There are some things with perspective it does that I like.

    There are too many power ups to collect, traversing the level is annoying, and the map isn't very helpful a lot of times. The story is quite bad. It's worth a quick run through if you like metroidvanias.    … Full Review »
  3. Broyax
    Sep 10, 2018
    0
    Le petit jeu indé du jour est une daube, ici en version "remastérisée" (oh l'affreux anglicisme barbare) qui reste assez moche à tout le moinsLe petit jeu indé du jour est une daube, ici en version "remastérisée" (oh l'affreux anglicisme barbare) qui reste assez moche à tout le moins et de surcroît pas toujours à 60 im/s... de rares accrocs bien sûr mais tout de même vu la "tronche" du "jeu" même pour un machin de 2009 à l'origine, ça fait tache.

    Mais le plus gros souci concerne cette idée étrange de transformer un jeu en 3D en 2D scrollante croulante avec le gameplay archaïque qui en découle ! Cela dit, on peut tomber parfois sur des jeux en 2,5D pas trop mal faits mais ici, ça sent le poisson. La maniabilité est à la rue, que ce soit les sauts très chiants ou la visée très aléatoire.

    Le ton général est beauf et bien ridicule et l'ennui s'installe aussi vite que la désinstallation qui s'ensuit. Non, c'était vraiment pas la peine de remastériser un truc pareil !    … Full Review »
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