Shadow Complex Remastered

Doing things differently is a great way to attract attention to your product, and it’s a strategy that has worked well for video games in the past. Exciting new gameplay mechanics always spark the curiosity of gamers, but they are not guaranteed to succeed all the time. Risk takers are handsomely rewarded, on the other hand, at least if what they manage to show something nice for their efforts.

Shadow Complex Remastered is a 2.5D sidescroller that allows you to use stealth or violence to achieve your goals. The sci-fi theme of the game includes futuristic super-soldiers equipped with powerful gadgets and weapons, which means that you’ll be using them as well. However, it’s the unusual perspective and gameplay mechanics that stand out in this case, mainly because developing a 2.5D sidescroller with UE4 is like making sundials with LCD screens.

As far as the story is concerned, you play the role of Jason Flemming, who’s out on a trip with his girlfriend. After she disappears in some caverns, you go looking for her and stumble into an underground base filled with soldiers, all of whom take advantage of highly evolved technology. Naturally, you have to deal with them and rescue your girlfriend, while also finding out what goes on with the weird military faction.

Since you can only move on two axes, it should be fairly easy to figure out everything there is to know about level exploration. Jumping and climbing are also important aspects, while jetpacks make it even easier to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. The combat is straight to the point as well, although the shooting can take place in three dimensions for a change, given the fact that you can hit soldiers that are further in the background.

As far as the visual quality is concerned, this remastered build uses UE4 to deliver an even more compelling experience. It’s still a sidescroller, on the other hand, so the character modeling is pretty weak compared to other modern games. However, the lighting and the level design are sublime, which makes up for the relative lack of high-definition detail.

In the end, Shadow Complex Remastered is certainly a breath of fresh air in the industry. Not only that, but the plot and the general gameplay mechanics are strong enough to merit some praise. Thus, if you are up for something different and you do not mind the restrictions of 2.5D gameplay, this is definitely a game worth playing.

Note: Shadow Complex Remastered is free for a limited period of time only.