Cyber Shadow |OT| A Striking Silhouette

Dancrane212 · Jan 25, 2021

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X
Release Date:

January 26th, 2021

Genre: Action-Platformer
Price: $19.99 USD (Launch/Pre Order price of $14.99 USD—depending on platform)
Player(s): 1
Format: Digital
Developer: Aarne "MekaSkull" Hunziker
Publisher: Yacht Club Games
Size: ~250MB

What is Cyber Shadow?

The world has been taken over by synthetic lifeforms. A desperate plea for help sets Shadow, the sole survivor of his clan, on one last mission to uncover what started the path to perpetual ruin.

How is the game structured?
The game is a linear, stage based, action platformer.

Can I replay stages?
Yes, you can also take your new abilities back to those old stages to find new secrets.

What does X icon do?
You can see a breakdown of some of the drops/skills here.

How long is the game?
Reviews put the playtime range somewhere in the range of 6 to 8 hours but you may see an hour count outside of it depending on personal playstyle.

Are there multiple difficulty modes?
No, there is only the default option.

What happens when I die?
You go reload at the last checkpoint.

Switch performance?
60 fps, same as Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles.

Is the game enhanced on PS5 and the Xbox Series consoles?
The PS5 version of the game supports 120fps when played on a compatible display. TBA if the same support exists on the next-gen Xbox machines.

Uncapped framerate on PC?
Yes, to (at the very least) 144fps.

Does it matter if I buy the PS4 or PS5 version?
Purchasing one digitally gets you the other for free.

Xbox Play Anywhere?
Yes, buying the game on Xbox One will get you the game on Windows 10 and vice versa. Progression is shared between the two versions of the game.

Game Pass?
Yes, the game is part of Game Pass on PC, Android and Xbox. If you are an active member of that service you can play Cyber Shadow for no extra cost.

Physical release?
Nothing announced at the time of release, but also not ruled out for the future.

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Metacritic
Xbox One | PC | PS4 | PS5 | Switch
Opencritic

Game Informer 7.5/10

Even with such diversions, Cyber Shadow doesn't do much that's surprising, and can sometimes be too tough for its own good. However, those with plenty of patience and an appetite for pain will find fun in this modern throwback. Just be aware that the price of admission may be your sanity, and that's a high price to pay for this competent-but-flawed war of attrition.

God is a Geek 9.5/10

Cyber Shadow is a superb action platformer, that feels just how you remember the best NES games felt. Controlling Shadow feels perfect, the soundtrack is exquisite, and there are some phenomenal powers to unlock. If you're able to cope with the serious challenge of taking down a robot army, then Cyber Shadow is a must play title that absolutely deserves to be mentioned alongside Shovel Knight as an all time great.

Hardcore Gamer 4/5

There's no better way to sum it up than just by getting straight to the point: Cyber Shadow is a fun action-platformer and one that expertly emulates the NES classic of yore. While it also kept some rather hair-pulling moments, largely thanks to a few annoying level sections, it still manages to deliver the type of classic, action-packed gameplay that the best games in the genre were known for. Throw in an engaging story, superb graphics and a few neat secrets, and this is one throwback to a twisted cybernetic future worth basking in.

Official Site
Review Thread

Aeana · Jan 25, 2021

I have been looking forward to this game for years. I really can't wait.

If you want to preorder for Steam, you can do so via the official site. Not sure why you can't do it via Steam directly.

Soul Lab · Jan 25, 2021

Preloaded on Switch.

RyougaSaotome · Jan 25, 2021

Gimme now.

I am so excited for this.

G_Shumi · Jan 25, 2021

Hell yes! I was hoping there would be an OT for this game. Can't wait to play it on Xbox Game Pass tomorrow!

Mesharey · Jan 25, 2021

Can't wait to try it, glad it's on game pass too day 1.

TheMoon · Jan 25, 2021

Important: the discount is a PRE-launch discount on Switch. It runs out at midnight of the 25th aka today aka in 42 minutes if you're in CET Europe, for example.

Indelible · Jan 25, 2021

Can't wait to play this on Series X in 4K 120 Hz.

Pitchfork · Jan 25, 2021

Quick 250mb download and it's on Gamepass. Will give this a go after work tomorrow

Jaded Alyx · Jan 25, 2021

Nice work on the thread.

Dancrane212 said:
Yes, buying the game on Xbox One will get you the game on Windows 10 and vice versa. TBA if progression is shared between the two versions of the game.

Is there a source for this? As usual, the MS store is a mess with the labels.

And I'd imagine it would indeed have cross save if it is Play Anywhere.

Dancrane212 · Jan 25, 2021

Jaded Alyx said:
Nice work on the thread.

Is there a source for this? As usual, the MS store is a mess with the labels.

And I'd imagine it would indeed have cross save if it is Play Anywhere.

The online listing for Cyber Shadow has both platforms written together rather than on separate pages.

iconoclast · Jan 25, 2021

Been playing this for a few days. It's not a pure NES style action game - it has upgrades (abilities/health/magic), some permanent progression, and it's fairly long, but I think people who like 2D ninja action games will enjoy it. Definitely recommend trying it, especially if you have Game Pass.

The achievements and in-game status talk about "Normal mode", but I haven't unlocked any other difficulties. It would have been cool to have a Hard mode with even some small modifications, like no checkpoints and higher damage taken for example. Maybe it'll get added later.

(I'll have a couple videos on my youtube channel tomorrow morning. /shameless shill)

Jaded Alyx · Jan 25, 2021

Dancrane212 said:
The online listing for Cyber Shadow has both platforms written together rather than on separate pages.

Unfortunately I've learned that that doesn't necessarily mean that. See Donut County most recently.

Edit: actually nevermind, donut County didn't have cross save but it could still be play anywhere.

Dancrane212 · Jan 25, 2021

Jaded Alyx said:
Unfortunately I've learned that that doesn't necessarily mean that. See Donut County most recently.

Strange. I just checked Donut County on the PC Game Pass app to confirm and the listing says I own it (bought it on XB1 a while back). Unless there's more to it than that?

andymcc · Jan 25, 2021

what time will this unlock on switch? 12PM EST?

ImpendingFoil · Jan 25, 2021

andymcc said:
what time will this unlock on switch? 12PM EST?

Animal Crossing was midnight Eastern Time so I am hoping that is the same here.

Jaded Alyx · Jan 25, 2021

Dancrane212 said:
Strange. I just checked Donut County on the PC Game Pass app to confirm and the listing says I own it (bought it on XB1 a while back). Unless there's more to it than that?

Yeh I edited my post. I got mixed up the fact that it doesn't have cross-save (which is a big part of the point of Play Anywhere in my mind). My mistake.

Goddo Hando · Jan 25, 2021

preloaded and ready to roll baby

Shamanoski · Jan 25, 2021

Excited for this one since announcement! I am ready

Chucker · Jan 25, 2021

Stoked for this. Hoping for an earlier than midnight release but will be playing it no matter what tonight.

Darkmaigle · Jan 25, 2021

my gamepass pc app says it unlocks in an hour.

Sweet

Vic_Viper · Jan 25, 2021

Whats the connection between this and the Steel Assault game? I heard that people who backed Steel Assault on KS get a copy of this game too. Either way, they both look amazing and already pre-loaded Cyber Shadow on my Switch!

Jaded Alyx · Jan 25, 2021

Darkmaigle said:
my gamepass pc app says it unlocks in an hour.

Sweet

Where do you see that? I just see 'Coming soon' and 'Not available'.

Aeana · Jan 25, 2021

Vic_Viper said:
Whats the connection between this and the Steel Assault game? I heard that people who backed Steel Assault on KS get a copy of this game too. Either way, they both look amazing and already pre-loaded Cyber Shadow on my Switch!

Steel Assault used to be a different game entirely when it was Kickstarted, and they had created a bunch of assets for it. When the project changed direction, the Cyber Shadow dev struck a deal with the Steel Assault dev to repurpose the assets they were going to throw away. As a part of that deal, everyone who backed the original Steel Assault vision is getting a free copy of Cyber Shadow. It's not something they needed to do, and honestly considering how massively different Cyber Shadow itself became over time, it doesn't even really make sense... but I'm thankful they're sticking to it, nonetheless.

pswii60 · Jan 25, 2021

Indelible said:
Can't wait to play this on Series X in 4K 120 Hz.

I thought it was only confirmed to have a 120hz mode on PS5?

Vic_Viper · Jan 25, 2021

Aeana said:
Steel Assault used to be a different game entirely when it was Kickstarted, and they had created a bunch of assets for it. When the project changed direction, the Cyber Shadow dev struck a deal with the Steel Assault dev to repurpose the assets they were going to throw away. As a part of that deal, everyone who backed the original Steel Assault vision is getting a free copy of Cyber Shadow. It's not something they needed to do, and honestly considering how massively different Cyber Shadow itself became over time, it doesn't even really make sense... but I'm thankful they're sticking to it, nonetheless.
.

Oh wow, thats pretty neat. They both look amazing

ScOULaris · Jan 25, 2021

Any game that puts me control of a ninja is a Day 1 purchase for me. I already have my Switch version pre-loaded.

Temtastic Muns · Jan 25, 2021

TheMoon said:
Important: the discount is a PRE-launch discount on Switch. It runs out at midnight of the 25th aka today aka in 42 minutes if you're in CET Europe, for example.

Was going to wait till tomorrow to purchase the Switch version, so thanks for the heads-up! I plan to go multi-plat for this one, so every little bit of a discount helps. ;)

As I said in the review thread, I've been waiting for a new "gamer's game" for a long time -- something with a tough challenge accompanied by immaculate old-school gameplay -- and this looks like it's going to scratch that itch wonderfully. Can't wait!

HorseFD · Jan 25, 2021

I've been interested in this game ever since I thought it was actually developed by Yacht Club Games.

Tried to pre-load it on Xbox but it just says "not currently available". It's already the 26th here in Australia, come on Microsoft.

TheMoon · Jan 25, 2021

ImpendingFoil said:
Animal Crossing was midnight Eastern Time so I am hoping that is the same here.

That's because Animal Crossing is a first party game. All first party games unlock at midnight.

Third party games don't. They might. But it's never a guarantee and could vary greatly. Never assume a third party game unlocks at midnight on the eShop (they might, of course).

edit: however, it's live in Europe so it might be a midnight release for everyone.

edit2: LOL the CRT filter issue from the review thread ....the reviewer should have checked what they enabled because there are two settings...

CRT Filter on/off
CRT Bad Wires on/off

and guess what ...CRT Bad Wires ON produces the scratchy dead pixel look on the white pixels along with a CA-like red drop shadow on everything.

~~So maybe don't turn on a filter that says "BAD WIRES" and then complain that the CRT filter looks glitchy lol~~

edit3: okay, I think I gotta backpedal.

gameplay shots show some of those glitchy black bits on some white spots too even with "just" the CRT Filter and not the Bad Wires filter on. I don't really notice it in motion, however. It's just because I was looking for it now.

(note: these are handheld mode Switch shots plus Twitter compression)
click for full size:

lunanto · Jan 25, 2021

How many hours till it unlocks? (Game Pass console)

Aeana · Jan 25, 2021

I've never seen a CRT with a convergence error that bad in my life.

ScOULaris · Jan 25, 2021

TheMoon thanks for posting those CRT filter screenshots. I had been wondering about that. The filter looks pretty decent, actually. You never know since it's quite common for developers to completely drop the ball with retro filters like that.

The CRT filter in the NES/SNES apps on Switch is among the worst I've ever seen. Just shameful.

I wonder why the blacks turn to gray with the filter enabled, however. That's a strange choice since CRT's had perfect blacks.

ElectricBlanketFire · Jan 25, 2021

Preloaded on the Switch. First game I've purchased for myself since Animal Crossing.

TheMoon · Jan 25, 2021

ScOULaris said:
TheMoon thanks for posting those CRT filter screenshots. I had been wondering about that. The filter looks pretty decent, actually. You never know since it's quite common for developers to completely drop the ball with retro filters like that.

The CRT filter in the NES/SNES apps on Switch is among the worst I've ever seen. Just shameful.

I wonder why the blacks turn to gray with the filter enabled, however. That's a strange choice since CRT's had perfect blacks.

okay, I think I gotta backpedal.

gameplay shots show some of those glitchy black bits on some white spots too even with "just" the CRT Filter and not the Bad Wires filter on. I don't really notice it in motion, however. It's just because I was looking for it now. (stage 1 music rocks btw)

(note: these are handheld mode Switch shots plus Twitter compression)

Aeana · Jan 25, 2021

Does it go away if you turn the in-game brightness down?

ScOULaris · Jan 25, 2021

TheMoon said:
okay, I think I gotta backpedal.

gameplay shots show some of those glitchy black bits on some white spots too even with "just" the CRT Filter and not the Bad Wires filter on. I don't really notice it in motion, however. It's just because I was looking for it now. (stage 1 music rocks btw)

(note: these are handheld mode Switch shots plus Twitter compression)

Aw, man. That's really unfortunate because I want to play the whole game with the filter on, but I can't with those artifacts. It'll probably be a bit before a Switch patch to fix it shows up too. 😕

TheMoon · Jan 25, 2021

err ...don't accidentally murder your assist robot.

happened to ...a friend...

TheMoon · Jan 25, 2021

Aeana said:
Does it go away if you turn the in-game brightness down?

it's on default still, I've not turned it up like the reviewer. (changing it doesn't even do anything on handheld mode oO)

ScOULaris said:
Aw, man. That's really unfortunate because I want to play the whole game with the filter on, but I can't with those artifacts. It'll probably be a bit before a Switch patch to fix it shows up too. 😕

dunno, I don't notice it at all during gameplay unless I really look for a very bright/white spot.

Aeana · Jan 25, 2021

Despite the countdown reaching 0 on gamepass, it doesn't seem like it's actually available yet, at least in North America.

1upsuper · Jan 25, 2021

I've been looking forward to this game. I really hope it puts up a good challenge though. Too many "NES-homage" games are toothless.

Oreiller · Jan 25, 2021

Halfway through level 2.

Gameplay is still pretty simple so far (it seems it goes wilder later on in the game according to trailers) but level design is really solid so far and the aesthetics are on point.

Cow Mengde · Jan 25, 2021

I wonder how this compares with The Messenger?

Insomniac · Jan 25, 2021

Aeana said:
Despite the countdown reaching 0 on gamepass, it doesn't seem like it's actually available yet, at least in North America.

If you're on PC you can download it now through the Microsoft Store. It'll probably take ~15 minutes or so to show up in the app.

ScOULaris · Jan 25, 2021

TheMoon said:
it's on default still, I've not turned it up like the reviewer. (changing it doesn't even do anything on handheld mode oO)

dunno, I don't notice it at all during gameplay unless I really look for a very bright/white spot.

There's no way I won't notice, especially now that I know it's there. It'll tear me apart.

TheMoon · Jan 25, 2021

switch handheld mode (with CRT filter ON):

pswii60 · Jan 25, 2021

ScOULaris said:
That's a strange choice since CRT's had perfect blacks.

Only in a dark room. CRTs look grey in the daylight. We're so used to the black light filters on modern TVs that we forget.

Thanathorn · Jan 25, 2021

Downloaded on Xbox. Looking forward to trying it.

janusff · Jan 25, 2021

Glorious OT. Can't wait to play this

pswii60 · Jan 25, 2021

No X|S enhancement confirmed. So no 120hz on XSX then. Might pick up the PS5 version instead.

Edit: actually looks and plays great on XSX, very responsive

Cyber Shadow |OT| A Striking Silhouette

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