Video showing the game

Story

In this world, a few hundred years ago, a certain shadow researcher and a magician, during his pursuit of power, caused a massive explosion that has changed the world. It has caused some shadows to behave in unnatural way. They show up in spots where they shouldn't; some of them don't look like objects they originated from, and some have even started attacking people and animals. You - Edward and your loved one - Alicia have dedicated your lives to solve this situation and restore the correct order of the world. Unfortunately, during one of your experiments, Alice has turned into a shadow herself! In order to save her, you turned to the science that deals with matter transmutation—alchemy. During your research and an unusual encounter, you have learned how to manipulate and transmute shadows to a certain degree. This ability has gained you a nickname - Shadow alchemist.

Controls

move - arrows
attack - c
jump - z
shadow control - down arrow + x
in shadow - ← or → + x shadow spike attack
shift + ← or → - dodge, doesn't work on missiles

Game mechanics

Shadow control

Important mechanic of this game is shadow control. When player enters a shadow a bar appears next to him. After pressing X + ↓ a shadow control mode is entered. Menu shows which button is responsible for what action:

Z - move shadow
S - transmute shadow
C - place shadow

Shadow move

By pressing ← , → or ↑ , ↓ (depending on shadow) it can by moved to a certain extend.

Shadow transmutation

After selecting shadow transmutation by pressing ← , → or ↑ , ↓ (depending on shadow) that side of the shadow will be converted into a shadow bar. Transmutation can only occur at one side simultaneously. To transmute from the other side Z or X must be pressed to revert transmutation up to last fully filled segment on the shadow bar. Pressing Z in that state again will revert transmutation from one fully filled segment in the bar.

Shadow placement

If at least one segment on shadow bar is filled a shadow can be placed. After pressing C in shadow control a menu with placably shadows is opened. Navigation is done by pressing ← , → keys. Pressing C again now spawns shadow which position can be changed by pressing ← , → , ↑ , ↓ . Pressing C once more will now place shadow in game world. Shadow can only be placed when touching original shadow from which transmutation occurred. They can only be placed when nothing is in the way. If placed in wrong spot it will glow red. Shadows can't be placed right above players head, only certain distance from that.

When selecting which shadow to spawn pressing Z will remove lastly placed shadow and transmutation which was used to place it.

Moving too far from shadows will remove all placed shadows and revert all transmutations.

Table showing navigation in shadow control mode

	Pressed key
Control mode	Z	X	C	S
Mode selection	move shadow	exit mode selection	place shadow	transmute
move shadow	revert shadow move	go back to mode selection	go back to mode selection	nothing
transmute shadow	revert last non bar fill or full bar fill	revert last non bar fill and go back to mode selection	revert last non bar fill and go back to mode selection	nothing
Place shadow	revert last placed shadow - also reverts transmutation needed for this shadow	go back to mode selection	first C - confirm which shadow to place. Second time C place shadow	nothing

Boss fight

During boss since you fight in full shadow you can place up to 3 shadows simultaneously immediately after entering shadow control mode without the need of transmutation. But they only last for 3 seconds.

Shadow spike

Another mechanic is shadow spike attack. When in shadow and ← or → + x shadow spike attack is performed. When an enemy has a sweat drop on his head hi will be stunned when receiving this attack. Normal enemies when stunned will immediately die if they leave their original shadow.