Cyber Shadow is a tribute to the platformers of the 80s and the 8-bit era, especially Ninja Gaiden. But he strives to decline this formula with original elements and he succeeds magnificently.
Version tested: PC
Premise
One of the aspects that make the modern indie scene more intriguing is the "nostalgia effect". Some of the timeless masterpieces that made the world of video games great in the 80s, such as Metroid, Ninja Gaiden e Castlevania still live today and not only in the vintage passions of retrogamers. Some of these games are an invaluable model of inspiration for modern indie productions, which do not have many graphic pretensions, but not for this they are not able to offer captivating and articulated gameplay, attention to detail and even that touch of modernity and innovation which ends up differentiating them from their inspiring models.
One of the games of the past that often influence the productions of the present is Ninja Gaiden: a game that, for its time, already went far beyond the traditional “videogame limits“. Although in 8-bit graphics, it could boast interlude scenes that told a story with continuity, without limiting the latter (as was also customary at the time) to an introduction and a concluding sequence. The gameplay was also enriched with original elements, such as the effects of darkness or a snowstorm applied to the “ordinary” (and very difficult) platforming that was the beating heart of the game.
Recently, Ninja Gaiden provided the inspiration for the sublime The Messenger di Sabotage Studio, who has been able to insert the salient elements in a deeply elaborated context and with touches of innovation and modernity in the design that have made it "a continuous discovery for the player", from start to finish. Cyber Shadow attempts a different declination of the same inspiring model, with criteria that are “closer to the original”, even if decidedly effective. Even with some flaws, which we are going to highlight, the game manages to recreate the emotions and adrenaline of the context it is inspired by.
A shadow among the ruins of the city
Developed by Mechanical Head Studios, Cyber Shadow has the structure of a platformer heavily inspired by Ninja Gaiden, but with a futuristic setting. The protagonist, Shadow, is a ninja who belonged to an ancient and powerful clan. His memories end when a major disaster struck the city and from that moment a horde of automaton-like creatures, called "synthetics", took control of the town, wreaking havoc everywhere. Apparently, behind the disaster is the Dr. Progen, also transformed into a cybernetic abomination. In his mission to save the city, he will be assisted by a little robot called L-Gion, Shadow will also have to discover the truth about himself, his clan and the origins of the disaster.
The remains of Mekacity
Cyber Shadow is essentially a platform with a mild Metroidvania component. The map is divided into levels that are generally linear, but can be explored several times and retraced later, also by virtue of a series of upgrades which are acquired by defeating bosses or passing tests in specific clan temples. These advances give, in addition to the power to remove some obstacles to fully explore the levels and find secrets, too a substantial enrichment to the gameplay.
At the beginning of the game, in fact, the mechanics are absolutely basic and minimalist, allowing the player an extremely limited and rigid set of maneuvers. However, with the advancement of the levels we will acquire (or rather "awaken") the various powers of our clan. These, giving Shadow new abilities, also allow an evolution of the levels in the direction of ever greater complexity and difficulty. The structure of the game remains essentially linear, but towards the end it will feel like playing something totally different.
The game always keeps the sense of discovery high, also because the acquisition of powers and the advancement of the levels fit perfectly into a non-trivial plot, which is told through interlude scenes capable of creating a further affinity between Cyber Shadow And that Ninja Gaiden which constitutes its inspiring model.
In this regard it should be mentioned that the game is fully translated into Spanish and the excellent translation helps to better follow the evolution of a story that is surprisingly well structured for a game of this type.
Mekacity technology
Cyber Shadow it is well done also from a technical point of view. While remaining strictly faithful to one 8-bit graphics (like its inspiring models), reproduces both the protagonist and his enemies with good details and animations, not giving in to the temptation, although very popular in the 80s, to "recycle" the same sprites and models with different colors to present "Stronger versions" of an enemy. This graphic detail deserves commendation, given that many indie games tend to roughly approximate pixel-art, taking refuge behind the pretext that visual magnificence is not the game's strong point; however, we must not forget that the games of the 80s and 90s, despite being graphically limited to 8 and 16 bits, did not neglect anything and took care of the visual detail to the limits of what the technology of the time made possible.
However, what deserves absolute praise is the soundtrack. Made with catchy 8-bit tracks and able to stay impressed, it succeeds in the dual intent of providing a captivating and adequate background to the adrenaline of the game and to perfectly recreate the typical atmosphere of the 8-bit era platformers (NES e Sega Master System primarily). Excellent work and beautifully distributed between the levels of the game.
There is though a technical drawback that cannot be ignored. A bug checking one of the special abilities significantly interferes with its execution, compromising and making some steps incredibly frustrating, for reasons entirely independent of the player's ability. It is a rather unpleasant thing, also because is the only drawback in an almost perfect balance, including "alternative" levels (there are sections on board a motorcycle and a mech and intrusions into cyberspace), which give an even greater depth to the pleasant futuristic setting of the game.
The longevity of the title is guaranteed by ten always different chapters, carefully designed and never repetitive, whose increasing complexity amply compensates for the lack of initial choice of a level of difficulty. Furthermore, the ability to go back and explore old levels with new powers (to look for secrets and bonuses) allows you to extend the approximately 6-8 hours required to finish the game a little further by going forward only. Also valuable the structuring of the bosses and the presence of alternative design sections, like the parts in cyberspace, necessary to hack some devices, the trials in the clan temples and the motorbike race.
The pitfalls of Mekacity
Of course, the extreme fidelity of the game to the standards of the 80s makes it a very challenging experience, suitable only for an audience of players who are really passionate about old platformers or with above-average patience. The presence of checkpoints and automatic saving (completely unknown in the 80s) do not prevent the player from having to repeat long sequences even for a minimal error. This could make the game a product for many, but not everyone.
Final Comment
Cyber Shadow is an extremely valuable game, which conveys the passion of the developers for the platform genre and the love and dedication to their creation. Furthermore, the clear desire to create something that reproduces the emotions and the feeling of the titles of the 80s, in particular Ninja Gaiden e Shinobi, but with a touch of innovation and modernity. From the setting to the plot, passing through the visual detail, the sound and the elegance of the level design, every element of the game has been studied and developed with obsessive care, leading to an intelligent and well-structured product; capable of entertaining platform fans and literally thrilling the nostalgic of 8-bit arcades.
The only flaws of the game are a flaw in the control system that can compromise the enjoyment of some parts / levels and a degree of difficulty that could prove discouraging for a slice of the public not equipped with sufficient patience and determination. Overall, however, it is a very high quality production, which holds up the banner of independent productions and keeps the platform genre alive and vital even in the modern era.
Cyber Shadow It is available for PC, Xbox One, PS4 e Nintendo Switch.
