July 18th, 2009

“Shadow Complex” is a 3D

Xbox Live Arcade has set the 2D action platformer of “Shadow Complex” on a nonlinear 3D world using the updated graphics of the Unreal Engine 3 making it look more appealing when it comes to play around with a lot of fancy high-tech devices and interesting weapons.

The role you play in this game is that of a colonel in US military force with the mission to protect the vice president of the USA from terrorists. You can use in this mission an entire arsenal of weapons and being protected by special shield you can steal also guns from your enemies and even take a chopper down. Even if you are playing a 2D side-scroller, you are enabled to do the shooting on a 3D plane. Throughout your shooting you are provided with a laser that will help you aim at your targets and at the same time keeping an eye at the background. But these are only some aspects of the game in order to open the taste for playing, since you are from the very beginning cast into the action already armored and weapon equipped.

The story actually begins with you, Jason Fleming whose girlfriend Claire is kidnapped by a paramilitary group known as Restoration. The primary goal of the game is to rescue Claire but as you go deeper into exploring the ways to rescue her you find out about the secret plans of the group that intends to cause US to break into a civil war. And the good news for you is that you realize that the group is equipped with plenty of weapon arsenals that you will try to steal from them. With every item that you find your abilities increase making you either stronger or faster.

The game environment is set in a labyrinthic wood which offers you plenty of possibilities of exploring, running, hiding or swimming. Many features are there for you to use in order to imprint your action a more sense of fun and excitement, such as using the foam gun which allows you to build a platform for yourself or freeze the enemies for after that to be able to detonate them by the aid of a grenade. Everything is displayed in a manner where you have to use your acrobatic abilities for jumping and climbing different spots that come in your way.

All your successful actions lead to gathering experience points and if you prove that you can exploit some giant mechanical bosses that come after you then you will gain more XP. Leveling up your character is getting stronger so it is a good idea to try exploring every shelter and corner in an attempt to find the hidden power-ups. You are also allowed to use maps to help you better explore some areas where you don’t have to feel yourself lost or merely wandering without finality.

The game lasts around 12 hours on the first play-through but there can be chances for you not to find everything that the game has to offer at your first attempt. “Shadow Complex” is a 3D world game to explore in a 2D manner, but you are allowed to do it in a combination of constantly discovering new power-ups and fighting to get them at the same time and if it made you curious enough be aware that it will be released on August 19.