Cyber Shadow

What to Know

Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 56

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Cyber Shadow is disjointed, and at times infuriating, but this is a superb action platformer with epic boss fights, great controls, and an awesome soundtrack.

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Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 56

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 56

Cyber Shadow is disjointed, and at times infuriating, but this is a superb action platformer with epic boss fights, great controls, and an awesome soundtrack.

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Awards & Recognition

Critic Reviews for Cyber Shadow

Critic Reviews

Score Distribution

56

Reviews

Average Score

100

Ranges

8/10

Stephen Tailby (Push Square)

Cyber Shadow isn’t afraid to just be what it is: an unapologetic, retro-inspired action game. Steady upgrades mean you’ll be introduced to new mechanics for most of the adventure, keeping things interesting all the way. An old-school challenge awaits, and while it’s mostly a fair fight, checkpoints can be a little far apart, and some bosses might stop you in your tracks. Still, if you’re looking for a rock solid side-scroller, this is absolutely worth your time.

January 25, 2021 |

Full Review

Cyber Shadow pays homage to classic ninja games such as Shinobi or Ninja Gaiden. It has a great “improved” 8 bit style, huge difficulty levels, and a satisfying 2D platform and combat gameplay.

January 25, 2021 |

Full Review

83/100

David Martinez (Hobby Consolas)

9/10

Tyler Chancey (TechRaptor)

A glorious love letter to retro ninja action, Cyber Shadow is a must for fans of high-speed fun and delicious 1990s cheesy camp.

January 25, 2021 |

Full Review

Stephen Tailby (Push Square)

8/10 - (Read Review)

David Martinez (Hobby Consolas)

83/100 - (Read Review)

Cyber Shadow pays homage to classic ninja games such as Shinobi or Ninja Gaiden. It has a great “improved” 8 bit style, huge difficulty levels, and a satisfying 2D platform and combat gameplay.

Tyler Chancey (TechRaptor)

9/10 - (Read Review)

A glorious love letter to retro ninja action, Cyber Shadow is a must for fans of high-speed fun and delicious 1990s cheesy camp.

**Read all 56 critic reviews on the desktop version of VSG.

Read the Reviews (56 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
3DNews	Иван Бышонкoв	8 / 10	02-06-2021	If you crave an old school action platformer, you definitely should try Cyber Shadow. This game is a nostalgic trip with great boss fights and amazing music.	Read review
AnaitGames	Unknown	7 / 10	04-13-2021	A love letter to retro games that know how to add its own personal touches to an otherwise well-known formula.	Read review
Atomix	David Berrones	80 / 100	01-29-2021	Just as Shovel Knight, the other game published by Yacht Club Games, Cyber Shadow is a true homage to classic NES games, in particular to the Ninja Gaiden trilogy. It has all the elements that we remember fondly from those years, such as a retro sound and looks, but it complements them with modern gameplay mechanics. If we take off some of its visual effects and its resolution, I do see myself playing it in a classic 8-bit console. You only need the directional pad and two buttons to play it.	Read review
But Why Tho?	Jason Flatt	8 / 10	01-30-2021	As Yacht Club Games’s first non-Shovel Knight IP, and as a work of individual love and passion developed over many, many years, there has been a ton of hype around Cyber Shadow among lovers of indie platformers. Cyber Shadow does not disappoint. While its simplicity compared to another recent Ninja Gaiden-inspired game may leave you wanting a tad more, the game as it is is challenging, creative, and absolutely a blast to play.	Read review
Checkpoint Gaming	Kolby Newland	8 / 10	01-26-2021	Cyber Shadow is one of those rare retro-inspired titles that does not pale in comparison to its references or feel like a cheap knock off. Pretty much everything about Cyber Shadow is on point and executed flawlessly. From the visuals, to the sound, to the precise and responsive gameplay. The game gets the difficulty balance right the majority of the time. It’s tough enough to be challenging but rarely hard enough to be considered unfair. The addition of well-placed checkpoints and infinite lives definitely make the challenge more palatable than its ancestors. It is a really solid action platformer and a really good game that deserves some play.	Read review
COGconnected	James Paley	90 / 100	02-01-2021	Tough, beautiful retro games might seem like they’re everywhere these days. You might be losing track of them all in the midst of this recent deluge. I promise Cyber Shadow is one of the good ones. A delicate balance is struck between challenge and accessibility, leaving you bloodied and eager for more. The art and the music is among the best you’ll see all year long. Finally, the mechanical guts of this game are perfectly tuned. While some players will be rebuked by certain NES-era sensibilities (like the knockback effect), the overall experience is practically sublime. If you’re looking for a Ninja Gaiden send-up that’s been dragged into the 21st century, look no further than Cyber Shadow.	Read review
Cubed3	Jennifer Geist	8 / 10	02-16-2021	Cyber Shadow is not a perfect game; levels occasionally overstay their welcome and the visual variety between locales is quite limited. Still, the core gameplay and design are so polished that it’s hard to put down. Nothing feels more satisfying than successfully comboing together Shadow’s moves to narrowly survive a perilous set-piece. It learns the best lessons from its classic inspirations while still trying out new things, culminating in a smooth, difficult, and rewarding experience for fans of the genre.	Read review
cublikefoot	Chase Ferrin	Recommended	01-25-2021	Cyber Shadow is an incredibly well-polished NES throwback, with fun combat, responsive controls, and some nice art and music backing it up. Well worth a look for fans of games from that era.	Read review
DASHGAMER.com	Dan Rizzo	7 / 10	02-05-2021	It doesn’t make excuses, nor does it hold your hand. It preserves the sanctity of gamers who appreciate the challenge granted to them in the title’s mentioned at the beginning of this review. Cyber Shadow is certainly worthwhile, if you’re prepared to get your butt handed to you.	Read review
Destructoid	Chris Carter	7.5 / 10	01-25-2021	Cyber Shadow is a bit disjointed at times, but right when it’s chugging, it begins to crescendo and pick back up again. Despite the modern design concessions (which are within reason and don’t betray the core of the game) it’s not going to appeal to everyone, and that’s OK. Even with a few misgivings, I’m anxious to see this world explored again with the power of hindsight.	Read review
Digital Chumps	Steven McGehee	8.4 / 10	11-28-2020	In sum, Cyber Shadow does a great job of doing what it set out to do. It’s a modern take on genre elders Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi, and it provides all the ninja lore, atmosphere, challenge, and aura that those games do. Furthermore, it gives players plenty of reason to keep playing thanks to evolving gameplay elements that keeps things fresh, interesting, and challenging. For anyone who enjoys the genre or ninja games in general, Cyber Shadow is a must-have.	Read review
Easy Allies	Brad Ellis	4 / 5 stars	01-28-2021	Cyber Shadow goes beyond being a simple homage and carves out its own identity in glorious fashion.	Read review
Echo Boomer	João Canelo	Recommended	02-01-2021	Cyber Shadow is a good return to the past, with strong and very fluid gameplay elements that keeps us constantly moving.	Read review
FingerGuns	Greg Hicks	9 / 10	01-25-2021	It’s absolutely nails to begin with, but stick with Cyber Shadow and it will be your new favourite platformer. There will be tantrums and swearwords, but when a game looks this cool you can’t stay mad at it.	Read review
Game Informer	Marcus Stewart	7.5 / 10	01-25-2021	Equal parts fun and infuriating, Cyber Shadow isn’t for the weak of heart	Read review
Game Rant	Greysun Morales	4.5 / 5 stars	01-25-2021	Cyber Shadow will be remembered for quite some time and only adds to Yacht Club Games’ growing library of retro-inspired indie games.	Read review
Game Revolution	Michael Leri	2.25 / 5 stars	01-25-2021	Shovel Knight was an example of an indie platformer that did hold up its end of the deal on both ends and that comparison doesn’t work in Cyber Shadow’s favor. Its boss fights and soundtrack can compete with other modern indie greats, but the rest of its gameplay inherits many of the antiquated parts that have been stripped out in other thoughtful throwbacks. This dichotomy makes Cyber Shadow a lot like its protagonist as it is made up of parts both old and new. But unlike Shadow, Cyber Shadow is made up of obsolete pieces, resulting in a rusty, defective cyber ninja that’s stuck in the wrong time period.	Read review
Gameblog	Gianni Molinaro	8 / 10	02-22-2021	Cyber Shadow is an impressive old school ninja game. The kind of retro experience that can’t be recommended to everyone, as it shines by being very very difficult, but a challenge that some stubborn players asking themselves if they still have good reflexes and memory will enjoy for sure.	Read review
GameCrate	Angelo D’Argenio	9.3 / 10	01-26-2021	Cyber Shadow packs a lot of quality into a small six-hour package. If you love indie platformers and have a soft spot in your heart for games like Ninja Gaiden and Shatterhand then you won’t want to pass this one up.	Read review
GameGrin	Alana Dunitz	9 / 10	02-04-2021	Cyber Shadow is a challenging ninja game that features unlimited lives, tons of checkpoints and no game overs to deal with. Has a great 8-bit visual style and soundtrack that will please any retro game lover!	Read review
GameMAG	Unknown	8 / 10	02-08-2021	There is not a single original idea in Cyber Shadow, but it’s a great game created with love for the classics like Ninja Gaiden.	Read review
GameSkinny	Thomas Wilde	8 / 10	01-25-2021	Cyber Shadow is a beautiful, lovingly-crafted gut-punch of an experience. Get ready to throw some controllers.	Read review
GameSpot	Heidi Kemps	7 / 10	02-03-2021	Cyber Shadow’s swift, skillful gameplay and memorable boss fights are dragged down somewhat by some frustrating platforming.	Read review
GameXplain	GameXplain	Recommended	01-25-2021	Video Review	Read review
GamingTrend	Elisha Deogracias	85 / 100	02-03-2021	A love letter to the NES era of platformers, Cyber Shadow scratches the retro itch just right. With some amazing gameplay elements and a killer presentation, this is an adventure you need in your life right now.	Read review
God is a Geek	Lyle Carr	9.5 / 10	01-25-2021	With perfect control, epic boss fights and a banging soundtrack, Cyber Shadow is a superb action platformer that you don’t want to miss.	Read review
Hardcore Gamer	Kyle LeClair	4 / 5 stars	01-25-2021	There’s no better way to sum it up than just by getting straight to the point: Cyber Shadow is a fun action-platformer and one that expertly emulates the NES classic of yore.	Read review
Hey Poor Player	Unknown	4 / 5 stars	01-25-2021	While I’ve spent a lot of time covering what Cyber Shadow does right, there’s a lot more I could talk about. But since that would cross into spoiler territory, I’ll let you discover for yourselves why this is one of the best games of the new year. There’s a lot of replay value here, too, thanks to Yacht Club implementing a whole host of achievements, regardless of whether you play the game on Steam or consoles. Though it can get more than a bit challenging at times, I’d heartily recommend this to any fan of the classics. Even if you don’t appreciate NES games of yore, this is still a tremendous adventure full of mystery and danger. Kudos to Mechanical Head Games on developing Cyber Shadow, and many thanks to Yacht Club for helping it reach its full potential.	Read review
Hobby Consolas	David Martinez	83 / 100	01-25-2021	Cyber Shadow pays homage to classic ninja games such as Shinobi or Ninja Gaiden. It has a great “improved” 8 bit style, huge difficulty levels, and a satisfying 2D platform and combat gameplay.	Read review
IGN	Mitchell Saltzman	8 / 10	01-25-2021	Cyber Shadow’s excellent gameplay, level design, variety, and music make it a great modernization of the classic Ninja Gaiden formula.	Read review
KeenGamer	Kyle Chamaillard	9 / 10	01-30-2021	Seamlessly blending the feeling of an NES platformer with a surprisingly engaging story helps Cyber Shadow cement its place as one of the best retro-inspired titles on the market. Cyber Shadow is the newest title developed by Mechanical Head Studios and published by Yacht Club Games.	Read review
Luis Alamilla	Luis Alamilla	9.5 / 10	01-25-2021	Cyber Shadow is easily already one of my favorite games of 2021 and it’s only January. It’s rare for a game to be able to accurately capture a retro era of video games without fumbling some old design flaws that come with the era. Outside of maybe some repetition that came with checkpoint placement, Cyber Shadow never failed to amaze me. It was a challenge, but a fun and most definitely satisfying one. Pick this up when you get the chance, you won’t be disappointed.	Read review
New Game Network	Dylan Blereau	75 / 100	02-01-2021	Cyber Shadow is the exciting product of melding memorable NES classics such as Mega Man and Ninja Gaiden. It’s difficult and frustrating at times, but the stylish 8-bit look, bopping soundtrack and enjoyable gameplay result in a quality action-platformer.	Read review
Niche Gamer	Fingal Belmont	8 / 10	02-11-2021	Disregarding the retro appeal of the stylish aesthetics; Cyber Shadow is focused and carefully designed action that transcends the fact that it is a throw-back. A lot of flashy pixel art driven indie games rely on their style to carry their lack of substance. Cyber Shadow is an example of an excellent balance of everything.	Read review
Nintendo Enthusiast	John Friscia	8 / 10	01-31-2021	(One last note for Nintendo Switch players: Cyber Shadow actually plays best with Joy-Con, not the Pro Controller. The control pad on the Pro Controller sometimes incorrectly registers “forward” inputs as “down” inputs, which makes parries and dashing frustratingly more difficult.)	Read review
Nintendo Life	Mitch Vogel	9 / 10	01-26-2021	If you consider yourself a fan of retro action platformers, you owe it to yourself to pick up Cyber Shadow whenever possible. It’s clear in virtually every facet of Cyber Shadow’s design that this project was a labour of love and that its designer is intimately familiar with what makes the stalwarts of this beloved genre so great. Well-built levels, authentic presentation, tight controls and a high difficulty all combine to make this a supreme and focused experience, and one that we can easily say is well worth your time. Mechanical Head Studios has set a high bar with its inaugural debut, and we can’t wait to see more from this developer.	Read review
Nintendo Wire	Ricky Berg	8 / 10	01-25-2021	This is a finely made game, to be sure, and is fun to play and control. It’s just that until the end it’s a lot of what I’ve played before. It may not be reinventing the wheel, but Cyber Shadow still makes a damn fine one. If you want a definitive example of 8-bit action, look no further.	Read review
NintendoWorldReport	Neal Ronaghan	9 / 10	01-25-2021	undefined.Through it all, Cyber Shadow knows why people have fond memories of NES-era action platformers, whether it’s the thoughtful level layouts, unforgettable boss battles, or eye-catching visual embellishments. This is not a game for the faint of heart, but more for the persistent. I came away from this retro romp satisfied, primarily because it harkens back to the classics while still carving out a distinctive game that rightfully deserves to enter the pantheon of stellar 2D ninja games that includes the likes of Ninja Gaiden and The Messenger.	Read review
Noisy Pixel	Ian Goudelock	9 / 10	01-25-2021	Cyber Shadow is a beautifully crafted retro action experience complete with formidable enemies and crushing precision platforming. Abilities like the bullet deflect and dash strike provides the classic ninja experience without overloading on reused mechanics. On top of that, the length and replayability options give players a healthy serving of content tosing more time into refining their skills.	Read review
PC Gamer	Stacey Henley	75 / 100	02-01-2021	Cyber Shadow isn’t the peak of the genre, but it’s a shuriken’s throw away.	Read review
PC Invasion	Andrew Farrell	9.5 / 10	01-25-2021	Cyber Shadow is a truly wonderful game. It’s brutal, uncompromising, and insanely enjoyable to a degree that I don’t often see. Between its lovingly crafted visuals, pitch-perfect gameplay, and maddeningly difficult, yet expertly designed levels, it’s a must-play for anyone who enjoys side-scrolling action games.	Read review
PSX Brasil	Francisco Maia	80 / 100	01-27-2021	After the tedious early stages and a few upgrades, Cyber Shadow shows its value. The gameplay is much more appealing after the first half of the game. However, it still lacks innovation. Despite those problems, it is easily recommended for those interested in the classic 8-bit era, especially for its great visuals, sound and narrative.	Read review
Push Square	Stephen Tailby	8 / 10	01-25-2021	Cyber Shadow isn’t afraid to just be what it is: an unapologetic, retro-inspired action game. Steady upgrades mean you’ll be introduced to new mechanics for most of the adventure, keeping things interesting all the way. An old-school challenge awaits, and while it’s mostly a fair fight, checkpoints can be a little far apart, and some bosses might stop you in your tracks. Still, if you’re looking for a rock solid side-scroller, this is absolutely worth your time	Read review
Screen Rant	Leo Faierman	4 / 5 stars	01-25-2021	Cyber Shadow brings the nostalgia in bunches.	Read review
SECTOR.sk	Matúš Štrba	7.5 / 10	02-15-2021	Great blast from the 80s that needs a minor tweaking of its difficulty levels to avoid frustration.	Read review
Shacknews	Ozzie Mejia	8 / 10	01-25-2021	For anyone looking for a challenge, Cyber Shadow is going to make their day. This would have fit in like a glove with the old NES library, next to Ninja Gaiden, Contra, and Castlevania. Those who remember those days and remember nearly getting an aneurism over how crushingly difficult those old games were, maybe sit this one out.	Read review
SpazioGames	Gianluca Arena	7.6 / 10	02-11-2021	Cyber Shadow is not only a great homage to times gone, but also a quite enjoyable game in itself. What lacks in originality it compensated by great controls and a spot-on level design.	Read review
TechRaptor	Tyler Chancey	9 / 10	01-25-2021	A glorious love letter to retro ninja action, Cyber Shadow is a must for fans of high-speed fun and delicious 1990s cheesy camp.	Read review
The Digital Fix	James Eckhoff	10 / 10	01-26-2021	Cyber Shadow by Mechanical Head Games is an 8-Bit masterpiece entangled in a beautiful, dystopian world of ninjas action and deadly automatons.	Read review
The Outerhaven Productions	Tyler Kelbaugh	4 / 5 stars	02-05-2021	Cyber Shadow‘s level design is so good that you’d be forgiven for thinking Yacht Club both developed and published the title. The game is superbly paced, ripe for multiple replays, and visually polished. It won’t win over those who don’t love retro action platformers, but even casual fans of the genre will love this one.	Read review
TheSixthAxis	Adrian Burrows	8 / 10	03-11-2021	Cyber Shadow is a compelling modern retelling of the iconic retro classics of yesteryear. Sure, there are issues; the pacing feels off and ‘knockback’ really should have been consigned to the dustbin of unwanted gaming mechanics. None-the-less, Cyber Shadow is basically Ninja Gaiden if it had been released in 2021. Not sure I can think of any higher praise than that.	Read review
Twinfinite	Omar Banat	3.5 / 5 stars	01-25-2021	In the end, the positives are strong enough to make Cyber Shadow a fun adventure for indie platformers fans, NES Ninja Gaiden fans, or even gamers who just like tons of challenging boss fights.	Read review
VGChartz	Evan Norris	8 / 10	01-26-2021	An outstanding action-platformer that’s inspired by the classics but not beholden to them.	Read review
Video Chums	A.J. Maciejewski	7.5 / 10	01-25-2021	Cyber Shadow is definitely a genuine old-school experience which mostly works in its favour although it can be a frustrating test of patience at times. No matter which way you slice it, if you enjoy old-school 2D action games, playing Cyber Shadow is a must.	Read review
WayTooManyGames	Leonardo Faria	7.5 / 10	01-27-2021	Cyber Shadow is not the best retro-infused indie platformer starring a ninja I’ve played in recent memory, but it’s still well worth your time. It’s occasionally unfair and frustrating, but once you reach a boss battle or a better designed level, you’ll be greeted with a surprisingly rewarding action experience with great visuals and soundtrack.	Read review
Worth Playing	Chris “Atom” DeAngelus	8 / 10	02-01-2021	Cyber Shadow isn’t as exceptional as Shovel Knight, but it’s a darn good attempt at making a Ninja Gaiden game. In many ways, I had more fun with it than I did with The Messenger, and it feels both modern and nostalgic. It’s mostly held back by a few frustrating design decisions and a forgettable cast and story. If you like NES-hard games but dislike NES-frustrating difficulty, then Cyber Shadow will hit the mark for you.	Read review

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About Cyber Shadow

Game Description / Storyline:

The world has been taken over by synthetic lifeforms. A desperate plea for help sets Shadow on a journey to uncover what started the path to perpetual ruin. Slash through the techno hordes, leap past traps, and nimbly navigate the ruins of Mekacity.

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