AU Diary: I’m Getting Flashbacks

I hadn’t played a single new game this week. Sometimes it’s nice to take a break. But that’s all changed today.

Microsoft kindly gave me a code to download the full version of Shadow Complex, the tentpole release of Xbox’s Summer Winter of Arcade, and I’ve played through the opening scenes this morning. Others have noted the similarities to Nintendo’s Metroid series and, yes, the manner in which you explore a 2D map, “scanning” secrets with your flashlight and locating ability upgrades, makes for an easy comparison.

But it’s not an entirely accurate one. Closer to the mark is Flashback, the 16-bit era sequel to Another World which took Metroid in a more action-focused direction, populating it with more enemies and delivering a less lonely experience. Initial impressions suggest this is what Shadow Complex is aiming for.

Shadow Complex seemingly exists in an alternate universe where it was Nathan Drake, not Samus Aran, who encountered the Space Pirates. But I’ll know more come Monday when I’ll take you through my first hour with the game.

Oh, and what were those old games I’ve been playing this week? Coincidentally, I’ve been revisiting my XBLA collection after a friend enquired as to my recommendations. I nominated Geometry Wars 2, Braid and Roogoo as must-haves. What would you have suggested?

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