Has lots of bugs, crashed on me at one point after a cutscene. Vsync doesn't really work, you have to kind of on/off switch it on boot up. Later on bloom effect are way to strong, can't toggle that one.
Elevators are weard... there is a skip notice with little to no function.
There is a part of the map that does not fill in.
Why is there an abstract map for quick travel.

Still better than some Metroidvanias out there.

Highly recommend! A very a good game.

From the first time I saw this game it immediately landed on my Wishlist.
9 Years of Shadows is a game that first of all leads with its visuals. Everything about this game is bright, colorful and beautifuly animated. Combine that with a beaztiful score and interesting overall aesthetic and you got yourself a very fun, if maybe a tiny bit short but classic Metroidvania experience.
Combat is not especially deep but it makes up for it in terms of steadily growing traversal options and rewarding exploration. The game innitially felt harder and a bit less forgiving than my previous experience, Afterimage but the ability to regain your shield in various ways often makes up for that, especially in the midst of combat, even if that takes a bit of timing. The boss fights are fun and nicely varied, even if the very first big one is the hardest one by a country mile for some reason.
The game ran well and without many hickups but I did have some soft and hard locks at various points in my playthrough, which apparently have not been patched since the launch. I was lucky to have had a savestate where I did not have the game breaking bug or otherwise I would not have been able to proceed. Not sure if that point being very early in the game makes it better or worse.
These things aside 9 Years of Shadows is very much worth a look if this genre of games is your jam.

(As usual this review has been written without the use of AI)