Written by Edwin Francisco
Cyber Shadow is another throwback game of the classic yesteryears of the NES generation. So many games have been using this type of graphics and music since it really gives that feeling of nostalgia.
The game was developed by Mechanical Head Games. It is actually developed and designed (including the art) solo by Aarne Hunziker.
As a solo effort in game design, development and art, this game is incredible. The game is produced by the highly successful Yacht Club Games for making Shovel Knight.
You can say that doing that classic style route can be an easy way to do graphics, but it’s so easy to make graphics now that doing the pixilated graphics is actually harder especially when you think how Shovel Knight was designed like a classic 8-bit NES game.
It seems that it made sure that similar design elements were maintained in Cyber Shadow. Colors are limited to a certain number and this requires a more careful design of the characters and background. It doesn’t overwhelm the audience in both.
What it does is it actually makes you believe that you are looking at a classic game. They even retained some animation effects that does remind of the classic system.
Some things don’t smoothly animate, but you know that the hardware is not limited. They did it to make sure that the feel of the game captures that memory of experience.
Cyber Shadow actually reminds me of graphics similar to the Batman by Sunsoft and Ninja Gaiden by Tecmo.
Although, if you really wanting to get into technical details, they did add some that the NES can’t do. Like the main character would have 5 colors while on the NES you are limited to a maximum of 4. For sure that they did a lot of other minute details to make the visuals stand out a little bit more.
Even though they made sure that the look feels the same as how we remember it on the NES, they still make it unique enough that a classic system can’t really run it.
What you don’t get here is the technical problems of the NES where you get any slowdowns. But I suppose that’s a given since no one really wanted those slowdowns when there were so many things animating in front of you, or the respawning enemies just because you got a little too far from a specific area.
Review: Cyber Shadow by Mechanical Head Studios
Even with the sounds and music, it also stays strict to the rules of how we remember the NES. The 8-bit sound effects and music really stands out. It seems to me that the sound effects were replicated than making a unique version. The attack, damage hits, the gathering of items; it will always remind you that you heard it from some other 8-bit game.
The music on the other hand was impressively done by Enrique Martin, also known as Pentadrangle. It seems heavily inspired from electro synth and metal. I’m loving the chiptune music he composed; it makes my hardcore gaming enjoyable. I even heard that some of the levels were designed around the music.
So, in turn Enrique didn’t just make the music, he also inspired Aarne.
In the game, you start pretty simple basic actions with run, attack and jump. You’ll go through a couple of levels first then you are introduced to a new ability. The next level will make use of the new ability that you have gained.
It will also introduce you to Spirit Points where you have a limited use of some abilities similar to what hearts do in Castlevania, the more hearts, the more you can use the special weapon. In here the Spirit Points have a maximum limit.
You should be able to increase Spirit Points and your hit points if you can find them.
The farther you get in the game, the more abilities will be given to you while keeping you on your toes. It makes you familiar with the skills that you have gained.
This can earn you a more extended hit range, a run and dash action, a long-range attack and more.
At some point you’ll get a bonus ability that all your skills are now charged up, allowing you to have a double jump, an exploding long-range attack and more.
Once in a while you can also get a power up weapon in which can help you through the level. You can only have one type of power up weapon at a time.
One power up can do a long range attack every time you attack normally. If you wait, it can even charge up for a stronger attack.
Another type of weapon can have this yoyo effect where it just moves around you and damages anything that it can reach. There are several more, but sometimes I do wish I can try them more on other levels.
This game doesn’t disappoint in terms of difficulty. This is really a skill-based game, it is unforgiving. It is hard, but not impossible.
What I like with Aarne’s design is that there is always a way to get through it. You just need to know each level layout and what the enemy pattern is.
For the first few levels, you may be able to get through it easily, but the later levels, it can push you a bit.
However, I love the idea that you can always see that there is a pattern to everything, making you feel that it is not impossible. You just need to find the right opening.
Sometimes, even if you know what you need to do, there is still a lot of chances of making a mistake that can mess up your entire run.
This is why you keep repeating, you always see that there is a way. Because of that you keep on trying to get that perfect gameplay to get you through to the level or boss fight. And because of that intense difficulty, it is a rewarding feeling just getting though a tough location and reach a save point.
Review: Cyber Shadow by Mechanical Head Studios
Yes, Cyber Shadow does have that modern conveniences like save points and fast travel. Save points are life savers in this game since they also have power ups included.
It is usually placed in locations where it is needed, like just after a really complicated level and just before a boss fight.
Although, sometimes those save points sometimes feel a tad too far, making you repeat a long particular section over and over (more than you are comfortable with).
You are allowed to fast travel to a location you have finished before, making you try out your new skills with familiar territory. This can also make you open up sections hidden or locked out from you earlier in the game.
There are also a couple of sections that are unique and doesn’t repeat throughout the entire game. This just breaks the monotonous hardcore levels and just spices up the game.
The controls on those sections are not too complex, it’s just as simple as when you started the game. It’s simple but slightly challenging.
The more you play, it will open more sections. I’m pretty sure that one playthrough will not let you unlock everything.
If you want to do that, you’ll have to play back and forth looking for everything in the game.
Even with my first playthrough of 20 hours, I know there is a section of the map that I haven’t opened yet.
If you are a completionist, there is a list of challenges in the game and difficulty options which can extend it’s worth.
The game can be finished in around 5 hours if you know what you are getting into, but that is only when you know how to get through each and every level.
So, if you are not familiar with everything the game has, it will take you more time to get through it. I’ve also heard some people get through the game in 40 hours in their first try.
Overall, I loved Cyber Shadow by Mechanical Head Games. The graphics look pixel perfect. The music is amazing. The game is hard but not impossible.
The game will really eat up your time trying to master each level or boss. For the price that, it’s a game that will give you that feeling of accomplishment, if you are willing to take the challenge.
Cyber Shadow is available on Steam, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Windows Store at $19.99
Rating of 4.5 out of 5
Game released on January 25, 2021
Developed by Mechanical Head Studios
Published by Yacht Club Games
Related: Review: Torchlight 3 By Echtra Games
