Casters,
The Secret Shadows era has begun to take shape, though not by official announcement, but through a leak that’s been very well received by the community. Images of the upcoming Secret Shadows booster box have surfaced online through a distributor listing, offering our first look at MetaZoo’s next full expansion, and the return of a familiar cryptid icon.
Front and center, Mothman once again takes flight, his glowing red eyes and shadowed wings dominating the top of the box. It’s an unmistakable callback to MetaZoo’s earliest days, when the legendary moth became the game’s symbol of mystery and power. Alongside him lurk other night-born legends: Boogeyman, Hopkinsville Goblin, Rat King, and Anubis; each emerging from the dense, moonlit forest that wraps around the box’s design.
A Forest Full of Secrets
That forest backdrop seems intentional. The art almost conceals the cryptids within the trees, suggesting that Secret Shadows might explore what hides beyond the light: cryptids lurking just out of sight, waiting to strike when the moon is full.
It’s a fitting direction for a set named Secret Shadows, one that feels more atmospheric and suspenseful than overtly horror-driven.
Notably Absent: The Fan-Favorite Dark Icons
But what’s most surprising is what isn’t on the box. Fan favorites like Bunny Man, Wendigo, or Old Scratch—all of whom have become synonymous with MetaZoo’s darker side—are nowhere to be found. Many expected Secret Shadows to lean fully into the horror aesthetic, serving as a spiritual successor to Nightfall. Instead, this design feels restrained—dark, yes, but not gruesome.
That choice could speak to a creative balancing act. MetaZoo has long walked a fine line between eerie folklore and family-friendly adventure. Making the game accessible to new, younger players sometimes means toning down the nightmare fuel. But it also raises an ongoing debate within the community: should MetaZoo embrace its spooky roots or keep things approachable for everyone?
A November Release on the Horizon
As for official details, the MetaZoo Games Instagram account did confirm a November release window, though no specific date has been given yet. There’s still no word on blister packs, big-box retail presence, or any tie-in products—but given the timing, those announcements could come soon.
With Mothman once again looming over MetaZoo’s horizon, expectations are high. The forest may conceal its secrets for now, but one thing’s certain: the shadows aren’t staying hidden for long.