Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

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Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet cover.jpg
Developer(s)Shadow Planet Productions (Fuelcell Games/Gagne International)
Publisher(s)Microsoft Studios
Designer(s)Michel Gagné, Joe Olson
Composer(s)Andrew Scott, Dimmu Borgir
Platform(s)Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux
ReleaseXbox 360 (XBLA)
August 3, 2011
Microsoft Windows
April 17, 2012
OS X and Linux
October 28, 2014[1]
Genre(s)Multi-directional shooter, Metroidvania[2]
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is a shooter puzzle video game developed by Shadow Planet Productions (Fuelcell Games/Gagne International) and published by Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. A self-published DRM-free version with soundtrack included was featured in the Humble Indie Bundle 13.[1]

Development[]

The game is a collaboration between animator Michel Gangė and game designer Joe Olsen and takes inspiration from Gange's "Insanley Twisted Shadow Puppets" a series of interstitials he did for Nickelodeon in 2005.[3] The two first met when Gangė was giving a workshop, and Olsen having seen the Nickelodeon shorts, asked Gangė if he'd be interested in collaborating. Gangė was unfamiliar with the medium, only knowing games up to 1993's Doom however he was eager and told Olson that he'd do research and get back to him. Olson however saw Gange's nativity as an asset and told him that he would provide help from the gameplay side.[4] Olsen stated that with the game to "wanted to use the power of modern consoles to drive feature-quality animation."[5] Initially the team worked on the game in their spare time, which led to them working on the game "only about three or four days a month" leading them to eventually quit their day jobs in order to focus on Shadow Planet full time [5] The team consisting of Gangė, Olson and Olson's development team initially worked out of a basement.[3] Development began in 2007 [6] and most of 2008 was spent with the group performing contract work in order to be able to rent an office.[3]

The game was eventually picked up by Microsoft, Microsoft had originally passed after seeing an early prototype however after the release of the second trailer they changed their mind.[5] The game was first demonstrated in March 2011 at Penny Arcade Expo East.[6] The game is set on an alien planet and includes exploration elements similar to Metroidvania.[7] Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet was released on August 3, 2011.[8] The game features music by Dimmu Borgir during cinematics;[9] the songs "" (orchestral version) and "Eradication Instincts Defined" play during the game, while the trailer featured "Blood Hunger Doctrine".

Reception[]

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet received generally favorable reviews for both versions of the game, Xbox 360 and PC, with Metacritic giving the game an aggregate review score of 76/100.[18][19]

Destructoid gave the game a 6 out of 10 score, noting the game as an "attempt to run in multiple directions at once and make very little ground at all" and concluding: "Sadly, great visuals do not make a great game."[20]

IGN, praised the game's beautiful and well-conceived world, criticizing it for being too short, and gave it an 8 out of 10 rating.

Awards[]

British Academy Award (BAFTA) for Best Debut Game

Annie Award for Best Animated Game

Navigatr (National Academy of Video Game Testers and Reviewers) for Best Original Light Mix Score

Video Game Award (nomination) for Best Downloadable

Interactive Achievement Award (nomination) for Best Downloadable

Annual Game Music Award (nomination) Outstanding Achievement Licensed Music (Dimmu Borgir)

Multiplayer[]

Local and online multiplayer are supported in Lantern Run and the Shadow Hunters DLC.

Expansions[]

The Shadow Hunters expansion was released on Xbox Live Arcade on October 12, 2011.[21] It expands on the Lantern Run mode in the base game, allowing players to team up in a continuation of the storyline.[22] Shadow Hunters was included for free in the PC port of the game.[23]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Sherif Saed (2014-10-29). "OlliOlli, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, Risk of Rain and more in Humble Bundle 13". VG24/7.
  2. ^ Hatfield, Daemon (July 12, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet: The Basics". IGN. Retrieved July 12, 2016. Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is a Metroidvania-style 2D game where you explore alien worlds in a flying saucer.
  3. ^ a b c Meuner, Nathan (24 May 2009). "A World of Insanely Twisted Shadows". Escapist. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  4. ^ Destructoid (July 30, 2011). Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet gameplay and interview - Saturday Morning Hangover. YouTube.
  5. ^ a b c Johnson, Jason (2 September 2011). "Interview: Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet's Creators Talk Quitting Their Day Jobs". Game Developer. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  6. ^ a b "PAX: Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Explored". IGN. 2011-03-12. Archived from the original on 2011-03-14. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  7. ^ McElroy, Griffin (2011-03-11). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet footage wants to eat you". Joystiq. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  8. ^ Pendlebury, Steve (2011-03-14). "PAX East 2011: 'Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet' Hands-On". Game Rant. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  9. ^ "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet: Dimmu Borgir". Michelgagne.blogspot.com. 2010-09-23. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  10. ^ Winterhalter, Ryan. "Shadow Planet Review". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  11. ^ Parkin, Simon (2011-08-02). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Review". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  12. ^ "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Review". GameSpot.com. 2011-08-01. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  13. ^ "A Nice Place To Visit, But You Can't Stay Forever - Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet". www.GameInformer.com. 2012-04-03. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  14. ^ Shoemaker, Brad (2011-08-03). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Review". Giant Bomb. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  15. ^ "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Review". Xboxlive.ign.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-15. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  16. ^ https://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/221559/review-insanely-twisted-shadow-planet/&date=2011-11-30+22:28:07
  17. ^ "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. 2011-08-03. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  18. ^ "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet". Metacritic.
  19. ^ "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet". Metacritic.
  20. ^ "Review: Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet". August 2011.
  21. ^ "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet: Shadow Hunters". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  22. ^ Zeidler, Brett (7 September 2011). "New DLC Coming to Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet". Destructoid. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  23. ^ Mitchell, Richard (29 March 2012). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet coming to PC with all DLC". Engadget. AOL Inc. Retrieved 24 December 2015.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""