Shadow Complex

“Shadow Complex” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Complex) is a unique game recently released a few months ago on Xbox Live that features highly unique 2.5D game play. 2.5D can be defined as a 3D game in which game play happens on a 2D plain; that is, the graphics are 3D, but the game plays like a classic 2D game like “Mario” or “Metroid.” In fact, “Shadow Complex” plays very similar to the classic SNES game “Super Metroid,” but there are 2 key differences that set it apart: obviously, SC is in 3D graphics while SM was completely 2D; in addition, some actions in SC can take place on a 3D plain. In SC, sometimes there will be enemies off in the background that you can actually aim at and shoot; similarly, they can notice and shoot back at you. You can’t move in that extra dimension, but your gun will automatically aim back into it if you point it in the right direction. It’s an interesting control gimmick that could lead to further innovations that will breathe some much needed life back into 2-2.5D games. You don’t see a lot of them anymore, and this could be something that makes them more appealing.