9 Years of Shadows review

At a glance, 9 Years of Shadows delivers all the elements any dedicated metroidvania fan could want. There’s gorgeous pixel art, a hauntingly melancholic world, and the inclusion of a mechanic where swapping elemental armor grants new traversal abilities. Spend a bit of time with 9 Years and you’ll soon appreciate the fusion of traditional mechanics with a just a bit of welcome uncertainty.

Developed by Guadalajara-based Halberd Studios, the game sets players in the role of Europa. She’s a knight fighting to restore color and music to a cursed world that’s been drained of both. From the start, which kicks off with a sullen black-and-white palette, it’s clear that Halberd Studios has artistic and thematic vision. But for all of Shadows’ ambition, the game’s execution sporadically stumbles.

Symphony of the Mighty

Perhaps the most distinctive quality of Shadows is the game’s lush presentation. Environments shimmer with gold embellishments and vibrant hues once they’re restored with color. Meanwhile, the soundtrack features contributions from legendary composers Michiru Yamane (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night) and Norihiko Hibino (Metal Gear Solid).

From the cool confidence of the game’s title track, “Crystalline Tears” to the synth washes, syncopated beats and jazzy piano riffs found in “Portrait of Hope”, there’s some impressive grooves across the game’s 32 song tracklist. And undoubtedly, the combination of visual restoration with musical resurgence as a theme feels inspired. Unfortunately, this novelty begins to wear thin as pacing issues, repetitive combat, and uneven platforming all start to dull the appeal of Shadow’s aesthetic.

The Lifeblood of Any Metroidvania

Largely, combat and exploration are functional but lean toward the unremarkable. While traversal is competent and conveys a welcome sense of momentum, Europa’s halberd-based melee attacks lack impact. This is exasperated by an abundance of enemies that demand little finesse. Strike some of the subordinates and they’ll quickly respawn, making you wonder why you just didn’t avoid them altogether.

In theory, Shadow’s armor system, which allows players to switch between elemental suits to solve puzzles and gain new abilities, provides variety. But in practice, the switching system is more tedious than thought-provoking. Enemies rarely require strategic armor use to defeat, so the system can feel superfluous.

The Burdens of Backtracking and Condensed Bitmapping

But 9 Years of Shadows falters most when it comes to moment-to-moment gameplay. Exploration doesn’t feel like you’re in an organic environment, but a biome built from a constrained pool of assets with few memorable landmarks. Europa typically traverses environments well but can stumble downward on stacked platforms. The upside is that she has a handy backward dash that’s invaluable against opponents who like to rush you.

Backtracking is a familiar ailment for the genre. But some of the best metroidvanias incentivize your effort with new abilities and tools. Although Shadows pays some dividends for slogging your way across the map, the rewards can feel nominal. Boss battles are visually striking. But all too often, these showdowns are too straightforward, relying on basic patterns that don’t change much.

Some Light in the Darkness

But for all of its missteps, Shadows does reveal glimmers of brilliance. The partnership between Europa and her magical companion, Apino is unquestionably charming. Not only does the floating teddy bear protect its companion, but Apino provides access to ranged combat. You can fire at enemies and switches freely until the meter in your halberd depletes.

Once emptied, recharging your weapon is one of the most adorable reloads in gaming, obtain by hugging Apino. Most interesting, you’ll only lose one of your heath points if you’re hit when the meter is empty. It’s a mechanic that’s novel, punishing players for resource mismanagement rather than just a split-second lapse of your reflexes.

Teddy Bear Hugs and Tiny Triumphs

9 Years of Shadows is a game bursting with quite a bit of beauty and ambition. But occasionally, it struggles to blend its ideas into a cohesive and compelling experience. If you’re looking for a fresh take on the Metroidvania, there’s enough worthwhile effort to admire. But be prepared to grapple with a title where style is often favored over substance.

9 Years of Shadows was played on PlayStation 5 with review code provided by the publisher.