Shadow Complex [Online Game Code]

by Chair Entertainment

Product Features

• Players experience superior gameplay variety via four difficulty settings, competitive leaderboards, challenge levels, clever achievements and bonus objectives.
• Completely original game featuring full 3D side-scrolling action. The incredible next-gen graphics and robust physics combine with an open, evolving world design mixed with an awesome, compelling action-thriller story.
• Seek out 17 unique game altering power-ups, with more than 100 additional items and modifiers to discover and use as you fight against a large variety of enemies and experience massive, jaw-dropping boss battles.
• Super-tight controls are simple and intuitive but also allow advanced players additional depth and precision.
• Shadow Complex features a script written by Peter David, one of the most popular comic book writers of all time and is set in the Chair's Empire universe and is based upon the best-selling novel by Orson Scott Card.

Product Details

• Online Game Code: Currently, this item is available only to customers located in the United States and who have a U.S. billing address.
• Note: Gifting is available after purchase via e-mail.
• ASIN: B002LIT3F2
• Release Date: August 7, 2009
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,291 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

From blockbuster developers Epic Games and Chair Entertainment comes the next evolution in Xbox LIVE Arcade games. Powered by the industry-leading Unreal Engine 3, Shadow Complex is the height of single player old-school action side-scrolling design combined with the modern action of cutting-edge 3D gameplay. Originally only available only as a download through Xbox LIVE Arcade using Microsoft Points, Shadow Complex can now be yours via online game code, which can instantly be redeemed by anyone. Players will still need both an Xbox 360 console connected to broadband Internet and an Xbox LIVE Silver or Gold account for game download and play. Story Containing a story written by noted comic book author Peter David, and set in the world of well-known science fiction author, Orson Scott Card's novel, "Empire", Shadow Complex is the story of Jason Fleming and his girlfriend Claire. While camping in the wilderness, Claire sets off to explore a nearby cavern and unwittingly stumbles upon a shocking surprise: an underground and heavily militarized base of a mysterious group known as the Progressive Restoration. Taken prisoner by representatives of the organization she is dragged into the bowls of a mountain, which soon incites the worried Jason to come searching for her. But what he finds is more than he ever could have bargained for. Facing a host of enemies utilizing advance technology, he uses his ever growing experience under pressure and every tool, weapon or gizmo that he possess or procures not only to find Claire, but also determine the truth behind the true aims of the Progressive Restoration. Reveal the threat of the Progressive Restoration as Jason Fleming. View larger. Gameplay Gameplay in Shadow Complex is centered around single player exploration of, and combat throughout the Progressive Restoration's complex, and eventually into the larger world surrounding it. Playing as Jason Fleming, action unfolds primarily via a traditional side-scrolling game mechanic, with environments, characters and action rendered in a mix of 2D and 3D, with camera angle changes adding extra perspectives. Filled with increasingly challenging, fast-paced combat players must gather game-altering power-ups and accumulate an arsenal of futuristic weapons which are imperative to overcoming obstacles and thwarting legions of enemies—both human and mech. The game world of Shadow Complex contains a significant level of open-world characteristics, allowing players to explore and choose how they will solve the problems and defeat enemies. Successes in these matters earns players experience points which can be used to upgrade abilities, health, weapons, ammunition and the game's powerful mechanized armor. The game also contains challenge levels, known as proving grounds, in which players take on specific challenges using specific weapons and abilities. Success in challenges are ranked and viewable on leaderboards on Xbox LIVE, along with other stats accumulated in the main campaign. Key Game Features Original Game - This completely original game features full 3D side-scrolling action. The incredible Next-Gen graphics and robust physics combine with an open, evolving world design mixed with an awesome, compelling action-thriller story. Powerups - Seek out 17 unique game altering powerups, with more than 100 additional items and modifiers to discover and use. Bad Guys - Fight against a large variety of enemies and experience massive, jaw-dropping boss battles. Pick Up and Play - The super-tight controls are simple and intuitive, but also allow advanced players additional depth and precision. Award Winning Talent - Developed by Chair Entertainment, creators of OXM's Downloadable Game of the Year, Undertow, and produced by Epic Games, creators of Gears of War. Noted Scriptwriter - Shadow Complex features a script written by Peter David, one of the most popular comic book writers of all time. It's the first game to be set in the Chair's Empire universe and is based upon the best-selling novel by Orson Scott Card. Gameplay Variety - Players experience superior gameplay variety via multiple difficulty settings, competitive leaderboards, challenge levels, clever achievements and bonus objectives. Additional Screenshots: 3D action in a side-scroller. View larger. Fast-paced intense action. View larger. Fight above & below ground. View larger. Develop special abilities. View larger.

Product Description

You’ve entered the mysterious world of Shadow Complex. Now you must save Claire and stop the Restoration! Discover game-altering power-ups and weapons, plus more than 100 other items. Use new abilities to infiltrate the secret underground base. Defeat legions of enemies and battle futuristic bosses throughout the huge game world, with hours of intense gameplay unlike anything on Xbox LIVE Arcade! There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts. (Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raises the bar, August 20, 2009

By 

Matthew Nikkel "Matt" (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Shadow Complex [Online Game Code] (Software Download)

Shadow Complex sets a new bar for quality in an XBLA game. It's a side scrolling action game in the style of retro classics like Metroid and Castlevania, where exploration, hidden rooms, and power-ups all play large rolls as you progress through the game. But while the game is presented in 2 dimensions, the visuals are all beautifully rendered in 3D using the same Unreal engine seen in games like Mass Effect and Gears of War. The end result is a near perfect blend of both the old and new, and a game that feels both familiar and fresh at the same time.

Shadow Complex takes about 5-10 hours to complete, depending on how thorough you're going to be exploring the game and searching for power-ups, and is purely a single player experience. While I might usually find that a bit on the short side for a retail game, for a $15 arcade game it's just about right. Shadow Complex is easily one of my top 5 games on XBLA. I would recommend this game to just about anyone.

Update: After spending a bit more time in this game, I thought I'd expand a bit on my initial review. A lot of people have called this a "Metroid-vania" game, but really it's just Metroid. The game borrows heavily from Super Metroid, and there are more than a few weapons and power-ups that have direct analogs in the SNES classic. I don't really consider that a bad thing though. As the saying goes, if you're going to steal, steal from the best. And while Shadow Complex may not really expand on the formula laid out in Super Metroid, it refines it and polishes it to near perfection. Simply put, if you liked Super Metroid, you'll love Shadow Complex.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful homage to a genre too long forgotten, December 1, 2009

By 

Andrew M. Whipple III - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Shadow Complex [Online Game Code] (Software Download)

Length:: 4:43 Mins

A long while ago, in a time of inferior technology and rustic gameplay elements, the side-scroller reigned supreme. The genre has spawned some of the greatest games of all-time, but like all good things, it went away for a while. Being unable to cope with its absence, Chair crafted Shadow Complex - a quirky, futuristic, side-scrolling shooter. To put it quite simply, it has resurrected the genre in the best way possible.

The long-running Castlevania series and the earlier Metroid titles are usually credited with being the best examples of side-scrolling ingenuity and Shadow Complex pays homage to these games in almost every way. The graph-paper maps, exorbitant amounts of upgrades, ridiculous varieties of platforming puzzles and weapons, it's all here. Orson Scott Card's "Empire" was also the basis for the story, giving it instantly more appeal. Speaking about story, the protagonist's name is Jason Bailey, a normal dude who's out frolicking with his latest pickup at the bar. Quickly, a seemingly harmless day of cave diving turns into a search and rescue operation from the clutches of a super-terrorist organization called the Restoration.

Okay, so the story isn't exactly the most detailed narrative on the planet, but this is an arcade game and that's one of the biggest shockers. The amount of shear depth is startling and the visuals Shadow Complex doles out are seriously better than some big-budget, full-priced games out there. It's Unreal Engine 3 at its finest. But the gameplay is really what makes the game shine. It's standard side-scrolling fair with a twist that can only be described as 2.5D. That means enemies can be patrolling in the backgrounds and crates could be just off to the side of where you are walking. You'd think it would make shooting a little tricky but since the game's aiming works a lot like the shooting in Geometry Wars, you don't have much of a problem hitting where you want.

My favorite aspect of the classic side-scrolling formula is being rewarded for exploration. Hell, exploring is practically synonymous with the genre. Not only will you inevitably run into some beefy items and exciting upgrades while you light up all those squares on your map, you'll also receive more experience which is a reward in itself. As you level up you'll gain additional passive statistics which don't seem like they do much, but every tenth level you'll be thrown something immensely satisfying. For instance, if you reach the 20th level the game reveals the entire map for you. It may not help those who are only interested in clearing the game, but it's a godsend for the completionist out there. And who in their right mind would stop playing the game when you're that close to getting the shield-dispensing helmet that deflects all manner of projectiles? That's what I thought.

If you've ever played some of the classic side-scrollers, you'd know that towards the end of the show it can become quite a hassle to find certain things. Maybe there's a secret wall you have to hit to find an item, but it's uncharted on your map and there's no clues to its location. Chair has paid attention to old problems like this and labeled absolutely everything. Rooms with items are marked with a "?" and become a simple dot once you've taken it. Different floor sections are color-coded and there's even a blue line (which you can disable) that shows you where you need to go next. The only issue that's apparent is that sometimes there are multiple items in a single/save room and you won't be able to see them on the map. It'll definitely make completionists frown since it's pretty tough to remember those spots.

Shadow Complex isn't a long trip (my first clear took around five hours) but it's such a memorable and fun experience that you'll definitely go through it multiple times. If you choose to do so you'll also retain your level and certain goodies you may have found if you took the time to get everything. There's also a time-trial mode called the Proving Grounds. It's nothing spectacular but the puzzles are a nice, fun distraction and the awesome leaderboard integration makes it fun to compete with friends.

With Shadow Complex, Chair has given the jump-start the side-scroller genre needs to get back on track. It's deep, intuitive, and it makes certain full-priced games look like pure garbage. Even if you're not a classic side-scrolling junkie, there's something about pushing yourself to explore the depths of the underground facility, something about finding one more upgrade for your suit, getting one more headshot for the leaderboard count. And that's when you realize it's fun at its purest level.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic 2d platformer for the new age, August 20, 2009

By 

Andy V. Truong (bay area, ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Shadow Complex [Online Game Code] (Software Download)

If you grew up with Contra, then moved onto Super Metroid ..and then finally PS1 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ...you will flat out love this game.

It takes the 2d platformer and revamps it to 2.5d, while maintaing all the game mechanics we loved about these games ...heavy map exploration, weapon upgrades, a leveling systems, puzzles, and on top of it all it looks gorgeous for a $15 game.

I dont review anything at all, but this game is so awesome i must.