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Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

Jump into a mini-UFO and go explore insane and twisted shadow planet in another strong offering from the Summer of Arcade 2011.

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One of titles during this year's Summer of Arcade on Xbox Live Arcade that has garnered the most attention is Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, for a good reason. It's been in development for years, and a lot has been said about the graphics - one of the game's big selling points.

The graphics are designed by Michal Gagne, that has animated movies such as The Land Before Time and The Iron Giant on his CV. The style is completely different though, with simple yet strong colours and a generous dose of black. It might be easy to compare Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet with Limbo, but that's not really fair; silouettes might play a big role in both games, but apart from that they go in two completely different directions.

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

The backgrounds shift between epic and discreet; tentacles, spores and mushrooms all grow in the many tunnels that make up the game. They sway back and forth and give way if you bumb into them. It might be a cliché to write that pictures fail to convey the true feel of Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, but in this case it's truth. It's supposed to be seen in motion.

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But while the visuals feel different and innovative, the gameplay is classic Metroidvania - even if the platforming and the hero have been replaced by mysterious tunnels and a small spaceship. That means you'll spend your time exploring fantastic environments, find new abilities and have the ability to backtrack and reach areas you couldn't reach before.

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

You start out with a simple scanner, that will give you information about the world around you - what is dangerous and how to defeat those dangers. Your quickly upgraded with a cannon; then a grappling hook, missiles, a laser beam, electricity and much, much more.

In true Metroidvania-tradition you also constantly find new ways to use your newfound abilities in. Early on you use the grappling hook to move rocks that block your way, while in a later underwater level you have to use it to stop yourself from being swept up in the wild currents. Later on you'll use to carry a lantern that will keep dangerous shadow creatures at bay. Other abilities are just as versatile, and many of the game's puzzles are built around using them in various way. It's very well put together and Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is one of the best games in its genre we've seen in a long time.

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Back in the 8-bit era, Metroid fathered (or mothered) the genre and ITSP has other things in common with its ancestor. Atmosphere always played an important role in the Metroid-games and the same thing can be said here. It's easy to be immersed in the feeling of having landet on a mysterious and alien world, completely isolated and alone. There's hardly any text in the game outside of the menus but if you collect the hidden artifacts you can unlock short cutscenes that without using any words tell the story of the planet and reveal how it became such a dark and dangerous place.

The environments shift between different themes throughout the game. Some of the levels take place under water, some are built up by ice and crystals while others are themed around heavy industry. New ideas and concept are introduced at a steady rate and never doing my time with the game does it feel like the game is running out of fuel or is simply treading water.

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

The enemies are varied and change both attack patterns and the way you should defeat them. There are of course bosses to fight and while they are classic in their design, like how you have to damage them three times, they always offer up something new. As expected the latest ability you gained will play a big role in the next boss fight; while traditional, it does keep the experience fresh throughout the game.

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet can be completed in about eight hours if you don't explore every little part of the planet. Even after you've beaten the final boss you can go back and make sure you didn't miss anything. There's also the so called Lantern Run mode, where up to four players are supposed to carry lanters throughout a level before being overtaken by the darkness that is constantly growing from the left part of the screen. This mode turns the game into more of a shooter, but it's a nice supplement to the campaign and can be played both locally and over Xbox Live.

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

Microsoft's Summer of Arcade-campaign has delivered a couple of really strong games this year, and Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is no exception. It's hardly revolutionary, but it's solid and entertaining all the way through. My biggest gripe with the game is the sound - there's nothing wrong with it, but it hardly stands out and is easily forgotten.

Apart from that, this is a prime example of a Metroidvania-game done right with beautiful graphics and great atmosphere. Give yourself a break from the sun and spend some time in the shadow together with Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet instead.

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet
08 Gamereactor UK
8 / 10
+
A lot of variation, capturing gameplay, great atmosphere
-
Not very innovative beyond the graphics, boring sound design
overall score
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Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

PREVIEW. Written by Bengt Lemne

"Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is a game you just cannot ignore and we're confident it will take us on a journey we won't forget."



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