Review by: Brian Rowe

Jason wasn’t looking for trouble, but in the tradition of John McClane, it found him in big way. His girlfriend dragged him out to explore a cave and got herself kidnapped in the process. Now Jason, and his perfectly gelled hair, has to save the girl and thwart the dastardly plot of a literally-underground terrorist group. I’m thinking that writer, Orson Scott Card, has been watching too much 24, but shoddy narrative doesn’t stop Shadow Complex from being one of the best XBLA titles on the market.

Shadow Complex is a mostly-2D platformer in the vein of Super Metroid and Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. For those unfamiliar with the concept (you heretics), the map is one large area broken into screens, or rooms if you will, but progressing from point A to B isn’t a straight line. You need to find the proper equipment to access locked areas, such as a scuba mask to explore the bottom of the beginning lake. A grappling hook, hyper-speed, and a jetpack are a few of the toys you can play with as Jason scavenges pieces of the Omega Suit armor. Although there is a lot of backtracking, it stays plastic-wrap fresh because new equipment offers access to secret locations, upgrade caches, and experience points for exploring.

The gunplay is quick and dangerous, requiring wits and agility over blatant firepower. Although you’re stuck in the second dimension, the bad guys move into the background as they please. Cover is your ally, and auto-targeting does an excellent job of deciphering your intended marks when not using the fine-aim. Think fast and you can usually find an alternative means of taking down the opposition. When faced with a shielded, mini-gun-toting soldier, I shot a spider-like robot from the ceiling and kicked the explosive carcass into my armored adversary.

From navigating environmental hazards to uncovering hidden upgrades, nearly every aspect of Shadow Complex is a clever puzzle that starts a chain reaction of leveling-up. Gathering new equipment yields experience, as does using it to explore new rooms, so you always feel the urge to return to old locations and hike off the beaten path to see what might turn up. Even combat rewards the adventurous with bonus-experience for using the environment and creating combos.

Saying that Shadow Complex is a triumph of Live Arcade almost sounds insulting. It’s one of the best games in the 360 library. The gameplay is tuned tighter than a Maserati, and Jason’s flowing movements nearly make the Prince of Persia seem crippled. Add details like Achievement-tracking and Proving Grounds, and this little package does a few tricks that most of the big boys can’t, and for a quarter of the price.