In My Shadow is a game from Playbae and Alcon Interactive Group, where you control Bella, a lead with an estranged relationship with her family. She receives a text from her old man, prompting some flashbacks, and that’s when we’re introduced to their shadow.
In My Shadow is a 3D title, occupying 3D spaces, but as soon as the action begins, you’re a 2D projection on the wall. Think Super Mario Odyssey 2D sections without the tash or smelling of meatballs. There aren’t any timers, health gauges or goblins chasing you down with a Nerf gun, so it’s a somewhat therapeutic puzzle game where taking your time and experimenting is encouraged.
In My Shadow’s story is split into four areas of Bella’s family home, depicting a connection with each family member – including the family dog. In-between stages are illustrated cutscenes hinting at her relationship with her family, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. It’s difficult not to discuss what happens, but let’s say it left many unanswered questions.
It’s a shame, as the character designs are nice, and the music prepares you for an emotional ride, but it didn’t click with me on that level. Fortunately, though, the puzzles were good, and I enjoyed that aspect quite a bit.
Before Bella’s shadow can get to her goal, you have to clear the way for her. There are two modes: platforming and object placement. Playing with the mouse and keyboard, I’d use the keyboard to move Bella about, then switch to the manipulation bit by pressing E.
With the mouse, I was able to drag objects along X, Y, and Z while watching the shadows form on the walls. There are two surfaces to experiment with, and you have to position the objects, such as boxes, tables and chairs, to cast the shadows that Bella can climb over. It’s all very intuitive.
Additionally, some items might only move in one direction, others not at all, or rotated on their axis to create new jump spots. There are even portals introduced late in the game to teleport to different areas of the room, but it’s nothing so elaborate that it distracts from the experience.
Platforming for In My Shadow is simple. There aren’t any dashes or double jumping, nor is she packing any heat. She doesn’t need it as there aren’t any enemies in the game. Maybe she is self-sabotaging? Ooooh… deep. Most of the puzzles can be completed relatively swiftly and, for this reason, feel immediately gratifying.
As you can’t die (Bella will respawn), it’s best to go for a bit of trial and error, as there isn’t always one solution. I would find I’d start a run straight away, then fine-tweak each object, sometimes starting all over. Some levels would take less than a minute with a first attempt, others more. There was a level in the third room that had me stumped for a good 25 minutes, though. It wasn’t the last level or even close, but I struggled with it to the point that a notification said I could skip it.
Slightly persuaded, I got on with it and finished it. There was an odd thing that didn’t work well. When placing items directly next to each other, the shadows would create a perfect line, but Bella wouldn’t step over it and stop. Even if it were a millimetre out, it wouldn’t work. Also, the jumping for In My Shadow can be a pig as you can’t adjust the power. Jumping between a section with spikes at the top and bottom was more or less impossible without any variation. Still, this is a design choice, and the way around it is by finding another path.
The biggest thing for me was the story and subsequent conclusion. On my part, it missed the boat and could potentially have been a belter. That’s nothing to do with comparing to other games. In My Shadow could easily have gone down a variety of narrative paths that would have worked to its advantage.
But is it any good? Yep, I think so. I love the way the game makes you think by dragging simple shapes to create a new perspective. The pacing was good, and the problem-solving felt organic. It took me about three or four hours to finish. It’s not a competition to see who can complete it fastest, but to give you a ballpark estimate of longevity.
