Another Xbox Live Summer of Arcade has come to an end. However, unlike last year when every game was a winner, this year we had the good in Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, and the horrible in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Time Re-Shelled (Dang you Ubisoft Singapore for the unforgivable act of ruining the classic soundtrack!)

But with the final game, Shadow Complex, the Summer of Arcade II was able to end with a bang.
Well worth the purchase price, Shadow Complex turned out to be an excellent 3D Metroidvania (side scrolling platformer) title. Even after finishing the game in about eight hours, I felt compelled to go through it all over again, if only to obtain the Level 50 Achievement. In my opinion it could end up being the Bionic Commando Rearmed of this year (as in the best XBLA title so far.)

I'm not the only one who has shown considerable praise for Shadow Complex. It's scoring an 89 on the Metacritic score with the only game related problems coming with the aiming functions (done with the right analog stick.) I will agree with this because once you get to the Hardcore level, your aim must be perfect of you will die"a lot!

I really do wish that this was the only controversial element of Shadow Complex, but unfortunately it isn't. Apparently there is a much stronger matter of the game that has got some gamers fighting mad, and even considering a boycott. That reason? Three words: Orson Scott Card.

As a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, Card has written many works of science and speculative fiction. Shadow Complex is based on his Empire series, which centers around a possible Second American Civil War between left wing and right wing factions after both the President and Vice President are assassinated.

In his story, the leftist Progressive Restoration has already taken over New York City in the first Empire novel and in Shadow Complex are in plans to take over San Francisco from their Washington State hideout, with the belief that the United States will become a modern day Roman Empire.

The work of Shadow Complex is actually bridging the content of the 2006 Empire novel with the upcoming sequel, Hidden Empire. However it's not because of the story line that Card's critics are boycotting the game, but rather his stands on some "hot topic" issues. More specifically, his views of homosexuality.

In the past, Card has referred to same sex marriage as a "potentially devastating social experiment," and said that it should not be subjected to equal rights, and giving it legal recognition marks the end of democracy in America. He also in 2009 became a member of the board of directors for the National Organization for Marriage, which seeks to prevent legalization of same-sex marriage.

Despite Card's claims that he isn't homophobic, and does not advocate "harsh personal treatment of individuals who are unable to resist the temptation to have sexual relations with persons of the same sex," and that homosexuals are "human beings with as complex a combination of good and evil in them as I find within myself," the fact that Card is involved with the back story is enough to cause gamers to consider a boycott of Shadow Complex.

I do not endorse Orson Scott Card myself. In fact, until Shadow Complex, I never even heard of him. I am a person who believes that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, no matter what others think of it. But as I am reading this, I also keep in mind that Card had no involvement in the game whatsoever. It was BASED on his work. As a result, Epic Games, Chair Entertainment, and Microsoft should not have to suffer in terms of sales because of Card's beliefs, especially ones that take place outside the story. If that was the case, why don't they boycott The Secret of Monkey Island? After all, Card contributed dialog to that.

Apparently it seems the boycott didn't affect sales much, as it was the top selling and played Xbox Live title since its launch. I'm glad to see that is the case because despite what Card believes, it shouldn't affect the fact that Shadow Complex is a great game, and in fact one of the best downloadable titles in recent memory. That's what matters most.

(Credit goes to Kotaku and Wikipedia for background information about Orson Scott Card.)

Currently Playing: Batman-Arkham Asylum (360,) Wolfenstein (360)

Waiting For: Beatles: Rock Band (360,) DIRT 2 (360)