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Lost In Shadow To Change How You Approach Platforming
At first glance, Hudson's Lost In Shadow resembles Ico if you took
all the characters, turned them into shadows, and made it a 2D
platformer. Despite the aesthetic similarities, you'll immediately
notice gameplay mechanics you've never seen as soon as you start
playing. Lost In Shadow challenges platforming veterans by forcing them
to focus on the shadows behind objects rather than the 3D models
themselves. The result is a novel title that challenges your sense of
perception in a new and exciting way.
When I first picked up the
controller, it became apparent that I'd have to totally change the way
I looked at the game. Anyone that grew up during the 8- or 16-bit era
is used to a straightforward approach to platforming, with clearly
defined platforms and objectives. Lost in Shadow instead requires you
to shift your gaze to the background, as your character has no physical
form during gameplay and exists only in shadows. Living in the shade
changes the properties of many objects you see in the foreground. That
unassuming fence you see in its physical form just happens to be a
deadly series of spikes when its shadow is projected a certain way.
Objects
in the "real world" can be interacted with by flipping shadow switches,
but the majority of this interaction will be through the fairy-like
"spangle" creature. When you point the Wii remote at the screen, this
flying figure acts as your cursor. It can rotate bridges, flip
switches, and even shift the location of light sources in an effort to
move the shadows behind them.
It's not just you and the shadows,
however. Early in the game, you'll come across a sword that can be used
to dispatch the red-eyed creatures that also inhabit the world. Killing
them releases red and purple orbs that increase your shadow's "weight"
(essentially your health meter) and provide you with experience points.
If
the game consisted of only the "shadow world," it would be a fairly
standard affair. However, the interactions with the real world create a
compelling new dynamic that we haven't seen before in a 2D platformer.
With this intriguing gameplay mechanic and an art style that makes
great use of the Wii's limited hardware, Lost in Shadow could end up
being a great sleeper hit for the Wii when it releases this fall.
[View:http://gameinformer.com/games/lost_in_shadow/m/lost_in_shadow_media/287483.aspx:610:343]
[View:http://gameinformer.com/games/lost_in_shadow/m/lost_in_shadow_media/287485.aspx:610:343]
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