9 Years of Shadows

9 Years of Shadows is a 2023 video game developed by Halberd Studios and published by Freedom Games. The game is a metroidvania in which players explore the interior of Talos Castle, defeating enemies and bosses to collect new armor pieces and open up new areas. Upon release, the game received average reviews.

Playing as the hero Europa, and accompanied by the teddy bear Apino, 9 Years of Shadows is a metroidvania in which the player navigates through Talos Castle. The objective of the game is to progress through the rooms of the castle and defeat enemies and bosses to acquire new armour pieces, abilities through collecting relics, to create shortcuts and reach new areas. Players attack enemies throughout the castle using a basic attack with Europa's halberd, and avoid counterattacks with a backslide. The player can also command Apino to cast magical projectiles. Healh is replenished through striking enemies, and players can retreat at low health and replenish it by hugging Apino if a quick time event button combination is successfully completed. Collecting new armor pieces throughout the game allow Europa to perform more sophisticated attacks with new weapons through button combinations. Some armor pieces offer new forms, such as the mermaid form which allows the player to swim to new areas.