Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet


Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is a shooter puzzle video game developed by Shadow Planet Productions 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.

Development

Development of the game began in 2007 and was first demonstrated in March 2011 at Penny Arcade Expo East. The game is set on an alien planet and includes exploration elements similar to Metroidvania. Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet was released on August 3, 2011. The game features music by Dimmu Borgir during cinematics; the songs "Progenies of the Great Apocalypse" 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.
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."
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 for Best Debut Game
Annie Award for Best Animated Game
Navigatr for Best Original Light Mix Score
Video Game Award for Best Downloadable
Interactive Achievement Award for Best Downloadable
Annual Game Music Award Outstanding Achievement Licensed Music

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. It expands on the Lantern Run mode in the base game, allowing players to team up in a continuation of the storyline. Shadow Hunters was included for free in the PC port of the game.