9 Years of Shadows: A Metroidvania Journey into a Mechanical Giant

9/9/2026, 8:05:02 PM

Release date: 3/27/2023

Tags: #metroidvania #platformer #side-scroller #fantasy #anime #pixel-graphics #action-rpg #action-adventure

User Reviews

Score: 77%Mostly Positive
Review Count: 3,360 reviews
Fetched At: 9/9/2026, 8:05:04 PM

Reference prices

Japan

¥ 2,300 (JPY)

Steam JP

$19.99 (USD)

Steam

Live Store Snapshot

Body text may reflect the state at publication time. For the latest sale, price, and review changes, prioritize the live price panel, review panel, and the Steam store listing.

Japan Price: ¥ 2,300
Global Price: $19.99
Price in Your Region: ¥ 2,300Prices as Steam lists them per country. What you are actually charged depends on your Steam account settings.Regional prices checked: 10 Sept 2026
Sale Status: Regular pricing
Price Checked At: 9/9/2026, 8:00:25 PM

Key highlight

Explore the corrupted mechanical giant Talos as Europa in this anime-inspired Metroidvania. Battle tainted creatures, uncover secrets, and restore color to a darkened world in this side-scrolling action-adventure.

Who this is for

Fans of exploration-heavy Metroidvanias with a blend of combat and platforming will appreciate "9 Years of Shadows." Its anime-inspired pixel art and compelling narrative make it a journey worth taking.

Details

Overview

Embark on a compelling quest in "9 Years of Shadows," a side-scrolling Metroidvania developed by Halberd Studios. Players step into the shoes of Europa, a determined warrior who ventures into the colossal mechanical giant known as Talos.

Her mission is to confront and halt a creeping corruption that threatens to plunge the world into eternal darkness. This action-packed adventure blends challenging platforming with exploration, inviting players to traverse a world steeped in fantasy and anime aesthetics, all rendered in charming pixel graphics.

Highlights

A World of Color and Corruption: Journey through Talos, a dormant fortress that has housed civilizations for centuries, now plagued by a mysterious curse that has drained the land of its vibrancy. Europa must battle tainted creatures and uncover the truth behind this blight.
Metroidvania Exploration: Dive into the intricate, interconnected depths of Talos, a hallmark of the Metroidvania genre. Discover new abilities and pathways as you progress, rewarding thorough exploration and strategic combat.
Anime-Inspired Pixel Art: Experience a visually striking world brought to life with detailed pixel graphics, featuring a distinct anime art style that enhances the fantasy setting and character designs.

Who It's For

"9 Years of Shadows" is designed for fans of the Metroidvania genre who appreciate challenging gameplay, intricate level design, and a compelling narrative. Players who enjoy side-scrolling action-adventure games with RPG elements, a strong fantasy theme, and anime-inspired visuals will find themselves drawn into Europa's quest.

The game also supports family sharing, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Game Info

Developed by Halberd Studios and published by indie.io, "9 Years of Shadows" was released on March 27, 2023.

It falls under the Metroidvania, Platformer, Side Scroller, Fantasy, and Anime genres, with players also noting its Action RPG and Action-Adventure qualities. The game is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Arabic, and Russian.

It supports controller input and is rated for all ages.