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About 9 Years of Shadows
9 Years of Shadows is a side‑scrolling Metroidvania from Halberd Studios. Players follow Europa, a warrior who enters the massive mechanical titan Talos to halt a corruption that has drained the world of color.
The game blends combat, exploration, and a music‑driven narrative, featuring a floating bear companion, elemental armors, and a soundtrack by Miguel Hasson, Michiru Yamane, and Norihiko Hibino. It is single‑player, offers full controller support, and runs on Windows.
01 / THE GUIDE
Narrative and Setting
Europa, having lost everything, ventures into Talos—a dormant fortress where several civilizations have settled over centuries. Her goal is to locate the source of the darkness that has robbed the land of hue and restore color.
Talos is described as a twisted depth filled with tainted creatures and dark crystals. The story emphasizes Europa’s resolve and the mystery behind the curse that threatens to swallow the world.
- Observe environmental details for hidden passages that lead deeper into Talos.
- Note enemy designs; recurring motifs can hint at upcoming challenges.
02 / THE GUIDE
Apino – Floating Bear Ally
Apino is a cute floating bear who travels with Europa inside Talos. He can restore color, replenish health, and shield allies from hazards while cleansing corruption around the fortress.
His magical attacks include an upward‑punching fist, a surface‑traveling blast, and a boomerang‑like cyclone. These projectiles can destroy dark crystals and damage foes.
- Activate Apino’s shield when navigating areas dense with environmental danger.
- Try each projectile type to see which clears specific obstacles most efficiently.
03 / THE GUIDE
Elemental Armors and Traversal
Players can acquire elemental armors representing lightning, water, earth, and fire. Switching armors on the fly unlocks special traversal abilities such as swimming against waterfalls, moving through underground tunnels, or gliding on warm air currents.
These armors also affect combat, enabling strong halberd combos and allowing Europa to exploit boss weaknesses tied to each element.
- Equip water armor before entering areas with strong currents for smoother navigation.
- Match armor elements to boss attack patterns to increase damage effectiveness.
04 / THE GUIDE
Music Integration
Music is central to the experience. The soundtrack, composed by Miguel Hasson with guest pieces by Michiru Yamane and Norihiko Hibino, appears in‑game as NPC composers who aid Europa’s quest.
Collecting musical notes lets Europa perform a healing lullaby that restores health, tying auditory elements directly to gameplay and storytelling.
- Gather musical notes whenever possible to keep the healing lullaby available.
- Pay attention to the soundtrack as you explore; the music is closely tied to gameplay and storytelling.
05 / THE GUIDE
Platform and Accessibility
9 Years of Shadows is a single‑player title available on Windows. It offers full controller support, allowing the game to be played entirely with a gamepad.
Family Sharing is also supported, enabling multiple accounts to access the game under a single purchase without requiring separate copies.
- Use family sharing to let friends try the game without buying another copy.
- Try playing with a controller to find a comfortable setup for combat and traversal.
COMMUNITY
Player discussion