Shadow Bug

Genre: Action-Platformer

Players: 1

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Review:

Shadow Bug is an Action-Platformer with a truly unique approach to the genre, as your character cannot jump. Instead, players use either gyroscopic motion control or the touchscreen to target enemies on-screen, prompting your character to dash over to them to attack.

The presentation here is really good. All of the platforms and characters here are portrayed in a flat black, in front of absolutely gorgeous hand-painted backgrounds. And while I wish the character designs were a bit more distinctive, the game nevertheless has a really distinct look. These visuals come alongside whooshing and clanging noises and an Eastern-inspired soundtrack that make the game feel like some sort of fast-paced ninja or samurai flick. Also, I have to mention that the good use of HD rumble here really helps to sell every attack and really give this game a great visceral feel. Overall, a superb presentation.

As for the gameplay itself, “no jump” gimmicks in platformers often seem to serve as a test for the creativity of a game’s level design and enemy design, as well as the quality of the game’s other mechanics, and here the game does a great job making these elements work. Attacking enemies in quick succession creates a great feeling of momentum, and the game’s levels cleverly use the way attacks essentially warp your character through obstacles to give you a mobility you might not otherwise have, and even make traversal not just a test of skill, but a puzzle in and of itself. The game’s bosses exemplify this, making you think through when and where to attack to move yourself to safety.

This game’s motion controls work pretty well, or at least about as well as could be expected, given the limitations of the Joy-Con’s motion-sensing abilities. However, these limitations do present themselves, and they can be a problem, especially when you need accuracy in a fast-paced situation. The touchscreen, on the other hand, has no such problems, making that the preferable way to play this game.

Overall, Shadow Bug is a delightful surprise of an Action-Platformer that uses motion controls or the touchscreen to deliver a unique spin on the genre. The presentation here is top-notch, and there’s a great rush that goes with the way attacking in this game feels. And even though the motion controls here aren’t ideal and the touchscreen is clearly a better way to play, this is still a game well worth playing in either mode.

tl;dr – Shadow Bug is an Action-Platformer that uses motion controls or the touchscreen to have the player dash to attack targeted enemies instead of jumping, with the game’s levels and bosses built around this unique mechanic. It works pretty well, and has a great overall feel to it, supported by an excellent presentation. That said, the Switch’s motion controls are less than ideal, so if you have the option of using the touchscreen to play this game, that’s definitely the way to go.

Grade: B+

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