Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

About

"Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet" is a 2D action-adventure shooter game set in a unique fantasy world. Players can choose to embark on a single-player journey or team up with a friend in multiplayer co-op mode. As they explore alien environments and battle strange creatures, they can solve puzzles and upgrade their ship with advanced technology to save their home world. The goal is to reach the center of the mysterious Shadow Planet.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet screenshot

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 629 reviews

graphics122 positive mentions

replayability5 negative mentions

Stunning art style and visuals that create an immersive atmosphere.
Engaging gameplay with a mix of exploration, puzzles, and combat.
Unique mechanics and tools that keep the gameplay fresh and interesting.

Short playtime, typically around 5-8 hours, which may leave players wanting more.
Some puzzles can be frustrating due to unclear mechanics or controls.
Occasional bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.

graphics
207 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
40%
1%
The graphics of "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet" are widely praised for their stunning and unique art style, which combines dark, shadowy aesthetics with vibrant colors, creating an immersive alien world. Many reviewers note that the visuals hold up well over time, remaining crisp and appealing even years after release, while the overall atmosphere is enhanced by fitting sound design. Despite some minor graphical glitches, the game's artistic direction is considered a standout feature, making it a visually captivating experience.
- “The graphics and the environment are beautiful.”
- “The visuals and ambiance are a treat for the eyes and ears; each area of the world has a unique feel and blend very well together.”
- “The art style is striking and visually appealing.”
- “The visuals are ok, the audio is horrible (the beeping in the tab menu alone is forever seared in my brain), the gameplay is slow and boring.”
- “I don't know what these guys here were playing but what I got was a pretty slow game with low graphics. I saw the game before, but the trailer led you to think there is some hidden 'art' there. Maybe there is in some boss battles, but the normal walkthrough is absolutely unsatisfying.”
- “Boring graphics, annoying controls (with Xbox 360 controller) and no (good) story.”
gameplay
162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
56%
6%
The gameplay of "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet" is a blend of metroidvania exploration and twin-stick shooter mechanics, featuring unique abilities and environmental puzzles that keep the experience engaging. While the art style and atmosphere are widely praised, opinions on gameplay vary, with some finding it enjoyable and inventive, while others criticize it for being too linear or plagued by frustrating mechanics. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing experience with solid mechanics, though it may not push the boundaries of the genre.
- “It's a small game with a cool and beautiful art style, featuring unique gameplay with quirky creatures and eerie backgrounds.”
- “The gameplay is a mixture of mostly puzzle solving with some combat with hostile enemies mixed in.”
- “The gameplay is solid, metroidvania-style spaceship shoot'em up.”
- “This has got to be the worst game mechanic I've ever seen.”
- “The gameplay felt like a chore to me.”
- “Promotional screenshots and videos look great, but the nice backgrounds serve as a backdrop to ultimately dull gameplay mechanics and little motivation to keep playing.”
story
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
78%
8%
The game's story is minimalistic and often conveyed through stunning visuals and brief cutscenes, leaving players with a loose understanding of the narrative. While some appreciate the non-traditional storytelling approach, many feel the plot lacks depth and coherence, primarily serving as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. Overall, the experience is described as engaging, with a focus on exploration and gameplay mechanics rather than a rich storyline.
- “The story is done almost entirely through stunning visuals and eerie glances of light and shadow, and in that regard, it is a slam dunk.”
- “The whole appeal of this game is the story of your lone ship trying to save its world from an unknown enemy, which masterfully unfolds as you progress through the game.”
- “It's a very imaginative game, and it will tell you a story without a single word.”
- “The story is that there is no story; if you collect all of the collectibles, you will get some flashbacks, but other than that, you will get the intro cutscene and ending.”
- “Most of the story is shown via pictures and cutscenes with no text or voiceover to really clue you in to what’s going on.”
- “The game tries to convey a story through very short cutscenes and gameplay, and while it works at getting the story through, it didn't work well at making a compelling narrative.”
music
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
45%
4%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the atmospheric and immersive qualities of the soundtrack, which includes contributions from the operatic death metal band Dimmu Borgir, particularly in cutscenes. While some players enjoyed the ambient themes and fitting soundscapes that enhance the game's visuals, others noted a lack of variety and presence of music throughout gameplay, leading to a somewhat repetitive experience. Overall, the combination of music and art direction is often highlighted as a strong point, contributing to the game's unique atmosphere.
- “Great atmosphere, mechanics, and soundtrack.”
- “The music and environmental art were set perfectly together for each 'area' and it really felt like you were in the game's world.”
- “The art style and music create a very nice atmosphere, and the controls are fairly smooth.”
- “Despite claiming 'music from Dimmu Borgir', only two songs appear and they are far from the whole studio versions.”
- “There is ambient music throughout the game, but it is not by Dimmu Borgir.”
- “The music and ambience definitely represent the weakest component of the game.”
atmosphere
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
13%
7%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and distinctive qualities, characterized by a blend of dark, tortured art design and a fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the unique environments and the way the art style contrasts with the game's themes, creating a captivating and sometimes eerie ambiance. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, drawing players into its beautifully crafted world.
- “But the best part is of course the atmosphere given by this awesomely dark and tortured art design.”
- “Its best accomplishment is creating a wonderful world that oozes atmosphere through its eerie ambient sounds and a colorful animation style that's used to create some beautiful, creepy and varied environments.”
- “The cutesy art style contrasts perfectly with the dark atmosphere and dangerous nature of the shadow planet.”
- “Equal parts Metroid, Aquaria, Solar Jetman, and Limbo, the sheer atmosphere of the game begs you to play for just a little more, just to see what's next.”
- “It's much, much more about exploration and atmosphere.”
- “This is the result of if the atmosphere, world design, and player progression of Super Metroid - with a touch of linearity from Metroid Fusion - made a baby with Aquaria's control aesthetics.”
replayability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
39%
38%
Overall, the game has limited replayability in its single-player mode, with many players noting that it is primarily enjoyable for a single playthrough. However, the multiplayer modes offer a more engaging experience, providing higher replay value for those who enjoy competitive play.
- “This aspect allows for great replayability, making sure that even after you complete the main game, there is much more to do.”
- “The multiplayer modes are very intense and the replayability is high!”
- “It might add to the replayability.”
- “I love this game, but unless you are speedrunning or playing one of the online modes, it's not very replayable.”
- “The campaign is really short, though (around 9 hours) and doesn't offer much in the way of replayability.”
- “Lacks replay value, but has multiplayer modes if you have a few friends.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
90%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some enjoy the smooth controls and engaging exploration, many criticize the repetitive and tedious nature of puzzles and enemy encounters, leading to frustration and a sense of monotony. The game’s difficulty spikes and reliance on farming for health further contribute to a feeling of annoyance, with some players ultimately giving up due to the grind.
- “Backtracking is mostly optional, and is not tedious since there are doors to open with newfound abilities.”
- “Cute game, but gets slow and tedious fairly early on.”
- “The puzzles weren't hard, just tedious, and I was worried that I was going to quit the game.”
- “Gave up after 2.5 hours after the rocket section and ultimate tediousness in having to try and thread a rocket through the head of a needle, so to speak. Nope, not a fan of lather, rinse, and repeat gaming!”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its quirky glitches, amusing mechanics like the claw tool, and a lighthearted atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Players find the game enjoyable and funny, especially when playing with friends, despite its short length and minimal story. The cartoonish graphics complement the humor, making for a fun and entertaining gameplay experience.
- “The little claw tool is by far the most hilarious thing in the game.”
- “Together with 4 friends, it's hilarious fun!”
- “The detailed, cartoon style graphics as well as the sense of humor all go together to make a very fun game.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's stability is a mixed bag; while it runs well on Linux and Windows 10, players report numerous glitches ranging from minor annoyances to game-breaking issues. Despite some enjoyable graphics, the overall experience is marred by unpolished controls and frequent bugs that detract from gameplay.
- “Runs great on Linux too.”
- “Verdict: runs great - even better - on Windows 10.”
- “The game is unpolished and full of glitches that range from funny to game-breaking.”
- “I cannot forgive a game that has been out since 2011 having controls this finicky, glitches this game-breaking in such quick succession to each other, and this level of artificial difficulty.”
- “It's sometimes buggy (I had to restart because one of the tentacles got stuck and I needed it to chase me) and the lasers can be a bit of a pain to control but are fun once you get used to them.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's optimization is notably poor, particularly for controller users, who experience significant lag and unresponsive mechanics that hinder gameplay. Mac users report performance issues, while Nvidia users have found some success by adjusting power management settings, though AMD users continue to face challenges. Overall, the game's performance is inconsistent and frustrating across different platforms and input methods.
- “For NVIDIA users, turning on maximum performance in power management mode works; however, for AMD users like me, it doesn't seem to help.”
- “This game is not optimized for play with a controller, and good luck playing for hours only to get to a part where you cannot advance any further because of terrible game mechanics when using a controller.”
- “Mac users: I had a lot of performance issues with this game.”
- “The little saucer guy drives like a low-performance car—every stick move and aim direction telegraphs with a slow lag from the controller to the animation, as if through dense molasses.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game rewarding, as it evokes a sense of cleverness and satisfaction through its engaging metroidvania mechanics.
- “An enjoyable metroidvania that made me feel clever.”

68%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews

Buy Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

4h Median play time

5h Average play time

4-6h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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XBLA Review - 'Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet'