Review: Lost in Shadow

Platform: Nintendo Wii

Developer: Hudson

Publisher: Hudson

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E 10+ (Everyone 10 +)

Official Site

Score: B+

Ethereal, innovative, methodically paced yet wholly rewarding, Hudson's Wii exclusive Lost In Shadow is one of those artistic gems that should appeal to gamers across a few different genres. The dreamlike visuals and puzzles that revolve around light and shadow play will draw in fans of games such as ICO or echochrome or the original Price of Persia, the platforming elements are fun and challenging for young to older players and the overall innovation and intriguing story will please fans of games with more than flashy graphics going for them. While it isn't quite perfect, it's amazingly well designed and has a way of keeping you hooked in as you traverse back and forth through some pretty trippy stages that play with your perceptions.

Hudson's Lost In Shadow Drifts Into Stores

Hudson's innovative adventure/platform/puzzle/action game (it does everything!) is in stores NOW. Go buy a copy if you have a Wii (you can thank me later). While I'm waiting for my reviewable to show up, you can keep yourselves busy reading some of my previous coverage on this gem.

Lost in the Shadow Video Dev Diary 4: Pre-Launch Secrets

Some of you might be a tiny bit depressed that this year is rushing to a close too darn quickly, but for me, that just means that it's closer to seeing the final version of Hudson's Lost In Shadow hit retail on January 4, 2011. Here's the final developer diary, featuring a peek at some of the cool secrets to be found in this Wii exclusive - enjoy!

Lost in the Shadow Video Dev Diary 3

BUSY WEEK, what with A few Bonds, COD and a bunch of other titles eating my free time. Nevertheless, something new so you know I'm not dead. This latest LOD video diary touches a little more into the innovative gameplay in the upcoming Wii title. This one is definitely looking to be one of the more memorable game experiences coming your way in 2011...

Lost In Shadow Hands-On

After looking at many Lost In Shadow screens and a few haunting gameplay movies since the game was announced, I finally had the great opportunity to get some hands-on time with the game at Hudson's New york Comic Con booth this past weekend. The game is not only visually striking, it's also highly innovative and absolutely recommended for gamers of all stripes thanks to the blend of platforming, adventure and later, combat against an assortment of shadow creatures. There's a good deal of depth here from the great use of the 2D plane in 3D environments to how well the visuals convey a certain emotional impact through light, color and yes, shadow usage.

Bonk: Brink of Extinction Hands-On

Hudson Soft's booth was pretty packed at this year's New York Comic Con thanks to a solid lineup of titles such as Lost In Shadow, Deca Sports Freedom and Bomberman Live Battlefest. But it was the return of Bonk that really sent me back to the future. Bonk: Brink of Extinction was on the floor and playable from start to finish and between the massive levels, awesomely funny classic game mechanics and nifty co-op gameplay, Hudson has a real winner here. Unlike many "retro" remakes, don't expect to see movement in the 3D plane or flashy CG movies between stages. What's here is pure side-scrolling bliss that's going to put an ear-to-ear grin on your face that won't leave for weeks.

Hudson + Lost in Shadow + Child's Play + Facebook = A Great Cause!

You have to love Child's Play and Hudson for teaming up for the charity with a simple yet extremely awesome Facebook idea YOU can help with. How? Just boogie on over to the official Lost In Shadow Facebook page and "Like" the game. What is Lost in Shadow, you ask? Heck, it's looking like an amazing, ethereal Wii adventure like no other on the console, so you also get a chance to find out more about it (bonus!).

Once you "Like" the game page, Hudson will donate ten cents to Child's Play - now how great is that? Want to contribute even more? Well, just change your profile pic on Facebook to a shadow of its former self (any shadow will do) and Hudson will up that contribution to a dollar.

I'm off to snap a new pic now. So far the LOS page has a mere 58 likes... let's change that in a BIG way, OK? The event ends on September 7, 2010, so don't wait! By the way, Lost in Shadow is set to hit retail on January 4, 2011 - back with more on the game shortly. The press release is below le jump if you want to check it out.

Still Awake With Games To See Shortly...

Amusingly enough, I've a Konami meeting in about 6 hours (eek). Well, off to get some sleep. With my luck, I'll end up having to play Saw II first and paying for it later with some freaky dreams. Ah well, I actually liked the first game, so then again... I may sleep like a baby tonight.

Anyway, updates to follow when I get back - Hudson Soft will also be there with a handful of upcoming games, so... bonus!

Gallery: Bonk: Brink of Extinction

Hudson's ancient (but forever young) cave dude just won't drop off the planet, but that's actually a good thing for TG-16 fans who remember spending countless hours head-bumping and jumping through some classic adventures. Here's a fistful of screens from the upcoming platformer currently in development at Pi Studios and set for release over PSN, WiiWare and XBLA later this year. Single player and two player co-op modes will be on board and yes, side-scrolling action is in full effect along with a few new abilities.

It's too bad this new Bonk game isn't shipping on a disc along with all the rest of the classic Bonk games with a fancy schmancy name like "Bonk's Collection" or something like that... I'd pay good money for that (plus a full-color artbook) any day of the week.

Gallery Update: Lost In Shadow

Oops. It's not that I'd been ignoring Hudson's really interesting looking adventure/platform hybrid, folks. It just got Lost in the Crunch of far too many other games coming out this year. Anyway, here are a bunch of recent (and not so recent) screens from the upcoming Wii exclusive. As noted in last year's preview, there's bit of an ICO vibe in the graphics that I find rather pleasing. However the gameplay is looking a bit different than that found in Sony's cult classic.

The big question is: will Hudson have a huge enough hit with LOS or will it be yet another solid niche title lost to the bargain bin, ignored by all but those looking for something different on the system? I guess we shall see at some point, now won't we? My money is on it at least being one truly memorable experience for Wii owners.

The Madness is OVER (But Boy, Was It Fun While It Lasted)!

Yes, I FINALLY completed my strategy guide for Neo Nectaris: Military Madness for the iPod Touch and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I'll be reviewing the game later this week, so keep a  eye peeled. How is it? Let's just say if you're a fan of Nectaris, you'll love what's here. The game is pretty tough and definitely not a "casual" experience and it's definitely not one of those cutesy Japanese strategy games with spiky-haired characters and cranky, demonic end bosses.

But I'm getting ahead of myself - back in a few with a couple of updates. I'm going to be catching up on a lot of stuff, that's for sure...