Games worth discovering

Crunchyroll: 9 Years of Shadows

9 View2026-03-05

Published by Crunchyroll and developed by Halberd Studios, it's a Metroidvania-style action platformer with a strong artistic identity, featuring a meticulously crafted pixel art aesthetic and high-quality sound.

2) STORYLINE: The story follows Europa, a courageous young warrior who decides to enter Talos Castle, a gigantic fortress that seems to have swept the world into darkness for nine years. This curse has erased emotions, hopes, and above all, the colors of reality. Europa is not the first to attempt this feat: many warriors before her have attempted to brave the castle, but none have ever returned. Determined to uncover the truth and break the spell, the protagonist faces a perilous journey through haunted corridors, dark creatures, and mysterious guardians. During the adventure, she meets Apino, a small musical spirit who becomes her companion. Thanks to Apino's sonic powers, Europa is able to heal herself, defend herself, and harness special music-based abilities. The relationship between the two becomes crucial to surviving in the depths of the castle. As Europa progresses, she uncovers fragments of the kingdom's past and the reason the world has lost its colors. Each area of the castle represents a part of the corruption that has spread throughout the world, and only by recovering the chromatic energies will it be possible to restore light and hope.

2) GAMEPLAY: The gameplay is heavily inspired by classic Metroidvanias, including Castlevania, with a structure based on exploration, combat, and skill progression. We control Europa across interconnected maps, where we must: battle enemies and bosses, unlock new abilities, find secret paths and return to previously visited areas with new powers. One of the key mechanics is the use of elemental armor, which allows Europa to gain new abilities and resistances. This armor not only changes the way we fight, but also opens up new exploration possibilities.

3) COMBAT SYSTEM: He's fast and precise, with close-range attacks, special abilities, and strategic dodges. Apino plays an important role thanks to his musical abilities, which can: heal the protagonist, activate special powers, and help during combat.

4) LEVEL DESIGN: It's packed with secrets, hidden rooms, and collectibles that encourage you to fully explore the map. Artistically, the game impresses with its detailed pixel art, fluid animations, and a memorable soundtrack that perfectly complements the melancholic and mysterious atmosphere of the game world.

5) PERSONAL CONCLUSIONS: It's a title that stands out on the mobile scene thanks to its exceptional art direction, a captivating story, and solid Metroidvania-style gameplay. Although some sections can be challenging, the game offers a very satisfying experience for fans of action platformers and exploration. If you appreciate games with deep atmosphere, refined pixel art, and skill-based progression, this game is definitely worth a try. My rating? 8/10!!!

By AleMobileGaming

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