Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 76 | 5 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 85% | 78 | 482 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 5 reviews sampled · 3 total reviews in window · weighted 3.5 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (18)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Even with seven-year-old graphics, Shadow Complex looks and runs great, with fluid animations and sprawling levels that any metroidvania game dreams of. This is an essential game for every metroidvania fan.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Shadow Complex Remastered is, in many ways, a perfect gateway drug for the Metroidvania genre. It's accessible and straightforward, and the story features just the right mix of swashbuckling heroics and moustache twirling pantomime villainy. It's perhaps too easy for seasoned veterans of the genre, and some aiming issues and questionably designed boss encounters sour the package a little, but if you've got a few hours to kill and you're waiting for another proper Metroid game, then you could do a lot worse than Shadow Complex.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Epic Games' cult classic comes to PC in this thrilling remaster. A fresh take on the Metroidvania genre, Shadow Complex combines shoot-'em-up elements and brisk melee action to deliver an enjoyable platform-adventure title.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Shadow Complex Remastered remains a fun title. The gameplay remains faithful to the Metroidvania formula, warts and all, while the addition of partial 3-D fighting makes it feel fresh compared to its contemporaries. It comes in at a good length and has some nice time trial challenges to give it more legs once the various campaign endings have been exhausted. It could've used some more improvements in the presentation section, but genre fans will enjoy this title while holding out hope that someday, Chair will finally develop a sequel.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“As a remaster this is rather shoddy work, but the underlying game is still one of the best homages to Super Metroid from the last generation.”
read full review ↗ - 87
“If you enjoyed it the first time but didn’t see yourself playing through it again for speed-runs or leisure, then you’ll want to opt out of this release. However, if you found replaying the main adventure a worthwhile endeavor and like plotting out different ways to complete the game or tackling its challenge mode, it earns the $15.00 it asks for admission. Now, if you’ve never played the game before but enjoy this style of gameplay, I can safely say, trying it out is hardly a complex decision.”
read full review ↗ - 76
“Before their mobile fame from the Infinity Blade franchise, Chair Entertainment produced in 2009 a game called Shadow Complex on Xbox 360 through the Xbox Live Arcade program. The game was very highly praised, and even received many nominations into the “Game of the Year” category. So the release of a remastered game 6-7 years after the original, on PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 is considered good news. I didn’t own an Xbox 360 console back then, but now have the chance to discover this gem from the past on my PS4.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Despite its few shortcomings, Shadow Complex: Remastered is an extremely fun game to play. The upgraded visuals look great and the controls are on point. Enemies and backtracking to become a bit redundant, but the platforming elements and exploration make up for it. There is a reason the original broke sales records on Xbox Live Arcade. If you have already purchased the game, the upgraded visuals might make it worth your while. However, since this review is based on the PlayStation 4 version, people who have not played it should certainly give it a shot.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Shadow Complex was great in 2009, and for the most part, it still is to this day. You won't find many new elements in this remaster apart from standard graphical upgrades, but if it has been a few years since you've played the original version, it's worth going through the journey again.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“'Shadow Complex Remastered' looks better than ever, but doesn't add much in terms of content. That's fine, though, as the core game holds up as one of the best Metroidvania adventures ever made, and doesn't feel dated at all. First-timers are in for something truly special, while returning players can look forward to experiencing it all again. Just don't expect it to feel new.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Despite the proliferation of games broadly inspired by Super Metroid in recent years, Shadow Complex remains quite distinct thanks to its integration of Gears of War-style cover shooting and loopy political plot. Playing it again evokes memories of similar games that have since followed, such as Castlevania: Mirror of Fate and Strider, none of which have done the 2.5D metroidvania thing nearly as well as Chair did back in 2009. The one letdown here is the questionable quality of the port, which sputters and skips much more than you'd expect for a last-gen game revamped for Xbox One.”
read full review ↗ - 87
“Shadow Complex needed a lifting. The remastered edition improves some post-processing effects, add some new textures, and in the end remains the great metroidvania that Chair developed few years ago. The uninteresting story is the biggest letdown of the game, that stands out when it comes to gameplay and level design.”
read full review ↗
PLAY Zine
Push Square
PCMag
Worth Playing
Metro GameCentral
Bit Cultures
Real Game Media
Examiner
Destructoid
High-Def Digest
USgamer
Everyeye.it…and 6 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
No patch announcements found on Steam yet.