They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but at what point does friendly imitation become an insult and a rip off? In the world of video games, the idea of plagiarism is almost a moot point. Perhaps it is because video games are a part of the digital age, or perhaps it is because recreating other games is easier said than done, but you don’t often see game designers accusing each other of theft. When it comes to Shadow Complex there’s no question where the inspiration came from. It is a masterful clone of the 2-D Metroid games, and even though it features so many elements lifted directly from Super Metroid, I cannot help but admire its tight design and attention to detail.

One thing that Shadow Complex does differently is that it restricts you to 2-D movement within a 3-D world, which makes the game feel modern while maintaining the purity of the 2-D gameplay. Sometimes this creates confusion as you move across a room, since you are unable to judge where the ledges and platforms are just by looking. On the other hand, it creates a sense of depth by allowing you to aim your weapons into the frame as well, which is kind of cool.

The game disguises itself with a different story and contemporary setting. Loosely based on the Orson Scott Card book Empire, it feels more like Metal Gear Solid than Metroid and doesn’t have quite the same eerie mood. But the bottom line is that you’re still using missiles to open red doors, bombs to open green doors, a flashlight to scan for weaknesses in walls, a hook shot to climb walls, and so on and so forth.

In the end, the gameplay mechanics and exploration still make it an absolutely addictive and absorbing experience. My only complaint is that there isn’t much variety in the enemies, and the final boss fight is a bit of a let down. Either way, it’s well worth the $15 download and probably the only game I’ve been truly hooked on so far this year.