9 Years of Shadows

9 Years of Shadows (Reviewed) Developer: Halberd Studios Publisher: Freedom Games Released: 27 March, 2023 Price: $19 USD 9 Years of Shadows is an attempt at a Metroidvania-style game that has a finer emphasis on the visual art and animations than the primary gameplay. You follow and play as Europa, a young warrior who has spent her entire life training in anticipation of the day when she may exact revenge for her parents and deliver the planet from everlasting darkness that took them from her.

PLAY IT OR SKIP IT? Play it. 9 Years of Shadows is a compelling action-adventure platformer that has some of the best visuals I’ve seen from the genre. It looks good enough to bring up positive comparisons to some of the most stunning games in the genre, such as Hollow Knight and Dead Cells. Add in intuitive, fast-paced combat and fantastic music, and 9 Years of Shadows is one game that shouldn’t be missed.