9 Years of Shadows Lands on Consoles—A Pixel Art Metroidvania With Real Soul

Most Metroidvania releases come and go without really moving the needle, but when I saw today’s release of 9 Years of Shadows for PlayStation and Xbox, I had to pay attention. Word of mouth has been building for a while, especially among pixel art enthusiasts and fans of classic Metroidvania storytelling-with good reason. This isn’t just another nostalgia cash-in. This game has the craft, the music pedigree, and the heart to stand out in a genre that’s seen it all.

• Hand-crafted pixel art that’s legitimately beautiful-no chunky SNES knockoff here.
• Music pedigree: Michiru Yamane (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night!) and Norihiko Hibino (Metal Gear Solid) on the soundtrack.
• Emotional story with a focus on restoring hope, not just grinding upgrades.
• Real Metroidvania DNA: platforming, elemental upgrades, and a world that reveals itself layer by layer.

Why This Stands Out in a Crowded Metroidvania Market

Let’s be real: Metroidvanias are everywhere. Most indie studios want that Hollow Knight or Ori buzz, but a lot of them just recycle the same formula. With 9 Years of Shadows, Halberd Studios goes a different route. The game drops you into Talos-a mechanical giant, not just another haunted castle—which instantly sets a different mood. And the visuals? They’re not “pixel art” as shorthand for low effort. The animation, detail, and color palette make every area feel genuinely hand-crafted. Halberd Studios gets that pixel art is about style, not just resolution.

What really raised my eyebrows is the focus on music as a core part of the actual story and gameplay. With big names like Yamane and Hibino contributing, this isn’t just background noise either. Music actively restores color and life to the world. That’s not something you see every day.

The Metroidvania Mechanics—Does It Hold Up?

I’m always suspicious when studios oversell “emotional storytelling,” because let’s be honest, sometimes that means “press X for a sad cutscene, now go fight more blobs.” But here, the premise feels tight: You play as Europa, who teams up with a magical bear named Apino to bring light (literally) back into the world. Elemental armors open up Metroid-style progression—think fire, water, and earth granting new traversal and combat powers, but each suit actually pops with visual and gameplay differences.

The world design promises interconnected biomes with gradual backtracking, hidden secrets, and satisfyingly tough boss fights. The early buzz—especially from hardcore genre fans—suggests it delivers the sense of discovery people want from their Metroidvanias, rather than just a parade of difficult rooms.

Music as a Narrative Hook (Not Just Filler)

Let’s talk about that soundtrack. Getting Michiru Yamane—literally the composer behind Symphony of the Night, the gold standard for this genre—was a flex. Hearing her team up with Norihiko Hibino (MGS) makes it clear: music here isn’t just flavor text. It’s baked into the game’s vibe. Players heal the world through musical performances, and those moments are woven into boss fights and exploration. It’s rare you get a Metroidvania that makes you care about the soundscape as much as the platforming.

Does 9 Years of Shadows Deserve Your Time?

There’s always a risk that even gorgeously made games get lost in the Metroidvania glut, but this one feels like it’s earned the hype. The combination of heartfelt storytelling, genuine artistry, and a clear reverence for the genre’s roots make me think fans won’t be disappointed. If you’ve been craving something in the vein of Ori or Symphony of the Night—but with its own thematic flair and visual punch—9 Years of Shadows should absolutely be on your radar.

TL;DR

9 Years of Shadows isn’t just another retro throwback. It delivers on its artistic promises—with one of the best teams in the business behind the music, and a story that actually tries something new. For Metroidvania fans, or anyone who cares about atmosphere and worldbuilding, this is worth a look.