Lost in Shadow
By Marc Saltzman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Moody, unique platforming game where you play as a shadow.
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Lost in Shadow
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What’s It About?
Now here's a twist: The latest video game for the Nintendo Wii doesn't have you play as the lead character. Rather, you're in control of his shadow, attempting to get back to his imprisoned body. This is the principle behind LOST IN SHADOW, a new adventure from Hudson Entertainment. The single-player game begins with a young boy tied up on top of a huge tower. A malevolent-looking knight of sorts attacks the helpless child, causing his shadow to separate from his body, which is then thrown over the edge. Your goal, throughout the game's 60-odd levels, is to make your way toward (and up) the tower so you can be reunited with your body.
Is It Any Good?
Lost in Shadow is a unique game. Not only are you a shadow, but you can only climb onto shadows in this world. You'll hop from one shadowy platform to another, climb onto ledges and across chasms, crawl through corridors, and battle foes using various weapons. Things get more interesting when you call on the assistance of Spangle, a winged sylph that follows you wherever you go, and helps you manipulate objects in this medieval environment so that they can cast a new shadow that you can traverse. You'll point the Wii Remote toward the TV screen and press the trigger ("B") button to have Spangle move these physical objects for you. There are also "Shadow Corridor" areas found throughout the tower that let you alter the terrain itself, such as rotating the world, in order to bypass the varied obstacles and traps. Visually speaking, the game has an interesting, minimalist art style. The moody music is also a good fit for the story. While the game isn't very difficult, the concept is inventive and should hold your interest as you climb up to the top of the tower.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how some video game publishers take a chance on unique game mechanics like this. That is, instead of other platformer games for the Nintendo Wii, this one is different, not unlike the fresh Drawn to Life series.
But will they do as well commercially as they do critically? Would that deter a game designer from taking a gamble in the future? How is success measured?
Game Details
- Platform: Nintendo Wii
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
- Release date: January 4, 2011
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating: E10+ for Animated Blood, Mild Fantasy Violence
- Last updated: August 30, 2016
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