9 Years of Shadows is a side-scrolling Metroidvania action adventure game developed by Halberd Studios for PC and other platforms. Players control Europa, a warrior who enters the mechanical giant Talos to halt the spread of corruption that has drained color from the world. Accompanied by her companion Apino, a floating bear with magical abilities, Europa battles tainted creatures while restoring light and uncovering the curse's origins.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on exploration and combat within the interconnected rooms of Talos Castle. Europa starts with basic halberd attacks and a back dash for evasion. Progress involves defeating enemies and bosses to gain new abilities and armor sets. Apino assists by cleansing corruption, shielding allies, and firing projectiles such as an upward punch, a surface-traveling blast, and a returning cyclone. These tools help clear obstacles like dark crystals.
Elemental armors form the main progression system. Players collect sets tied to fire, water, earth, and lightning, switching between them to unlock traversal options. Examples include swimming against waterfalls, moving through underground tunnels, and gliding on air currents. Combat gains depth from armor swaps that exploit enemy weaknesses during halberd combos and charged attacks. Health management ties into the musical theme, with collected notes enabling a healing lullaby performed alongside Apino.
Platforming and puzzle elements rely on the armors for dynamic map navigation. The pixel art style emphasizes hand-crafted environments with dynamic lighting, while the soundtrack supports the atmosphere through original compositions and contributions from guest musicians.
Game Modes
9 Years of Shadows offers a single-player experience focused on story progression and world restoration. There are no multiplayer options or separate competitive modes. The campaign guides players through Talos in a linear yet explorable structure, with ability upgrades opening new paths and shortcuts. Boss encounters require adapting armor choices and movement techniques across multiple phases.
Exploration encourages backtracking once new armors become available. Players restore color to areas by cleansing corruption, which ties directly into the narrative of healing the land. The experience remains consistent across playthroughs, emphasizing personal discovery over repeated challenges or alternate scenarios.
Story and Atmosphere
Europa's journey stems from personal loss, driving her into Talos after previous attempts by others failed. The narrative unfolds through encounters with musicians and revelations about the curse. Apino's presence adds a layer of companionship, with his abilities supporting both combat and emotional beats. The world features remnants of ancient civilizations settled within the fortress, adding context to the elemental treasures.
Music integrates into storytelling. Collecting notes and performing the lullaby reinforces themes of restoration. Guest composers appear as in-game characters who contribute to the quest, blending audio design with narrative progression.
Is It Worth Playing?
9 Years of Shadows suits players seeking a straightforward Metroidvania with strong visual and audio presentation. The game runs approximately four to five hours for a first playthrough, delivering focused exploration and responsive combat without excessive complexity. Reception highlights the polished pixel art, responsive controls, and soundtrack as standout elements, with Steam user reviews rated Mostly Positive.
Some players note occasional technical issues and a simpler combat system compared to deeper genre entries, though patches have addressed stability. It appeals to newcomers to the genre or those who prioritize atmosphere and music over intricate ability trees. The single-player focus and emphasis on elemental traversal make it a solid choice for short, memorable sessions on PC.
