Easily the best game of the series, which is kind of ironic since it completely abandons the central gimmick of the series for something much more fluid and honestly kind of better. Narrative is also solid, it's fun.
Legitimately the best game of the franchise. Enjoyed it, lots
This game was a lot of fun! I really appreciated some of the improvements over Risky's Revenge (such as the hot baths). I think having played Risky's Revenge gave me some insights into the story. Since Shantae lost her genie powers at the end of RR, she's still human. Her hair still whips really well, but now spells are consumable items. You unlock various maneuvering abilities along the way. I'm really loving this franchise.
a lot better than i thought it would be, sometimes the level design feels like a mario maker level and the bosses can feel repetitive and easy, but it makes up for it in personality, fun factor, and an amazing soundtrack
(also i keep wanting to give this game a 9 just because of HOW good the soundtrack is and how much personality is in this game, despite some occasional annoying gameplay)
(also i keep wanting to give this game a 9 just because of HOW good the soundtrack is and how much personality is in this game, despite some occasional annoying gameplay)
Retro action platformer. I was surprised at how simple the core gameplay was since this is a commonly praised game and generally considered the best Shantae game, but it just feels like a handheld platformer (because it is).
A lot of the 'level design' in this game is just having a large flat area with a shitload of enemies, many of which materialise out of thin air when you get close to them. I didn't mind it at the beginning but as I progressed I got slowly more frustrated until I quit at Mud Bog island.
There is also a lot of backtracking and random shit you have to do to progress. For some reason they took the worst parts of point & click adventures and put it in this game. I'm actually not sure how people might play this without a guide.
The UI is ugly but the in-game visuals are quite nice. The elephant in the room is the lewd character design. Practically every female character is skinny with huge tits on display and they all have dialogue so you can see their HD artwork. I guess it's supposed to be horny but I just found it fucking weird since they have such ridiculous body proportions.
Oh and I forgot to say, the music does slap.
A lot of the 'level design' in this game is just having a large flat area with a shitload of enemies, many of which materialise out of thin air when you get close to them. I didn't mind it at the beginning but as I progressed I got slowly more frustrated until I quit at Mud Bog island.
There is also a lot of backtracking and random shit you have to do to progress. For some reason they took the worst parts of point & click adventures and put it in this game. I'm actually not sure how people might play this without a guide.
The UI is ugly but the in-game visuals are quite nice. The elephant in the room is the lewd character design. Practically every female character is skinny with huge tits on display and they all have dialogue so you can see their HD artwork. I guess it's supposed to be horny but I just found it fucking weird since they have such ridiculous body proportions.
Oh and I forgot to say, the music does slap.
now this is some good gaming right here
Love me some Shantae.
I want to fuck most of the female characters in this game.
Started, not finished
shantae games peaked here
The best game in the series so far, and basically what Risky's Revenge should have been. Shantae has lost her powers and now must ally herself with her rival Risky Boots to save her town and recover her powers.
Enjoyable gameplay, varied locations, entertaining characters, well animated, and has a good soundtrack.
There are metroidvania elements, where you will need to obtain certain equipment that can be used to interact with the environment if you want all the collectibles and optional battles, instead of one connected world you travel to six different islands that each have their own themes to them. There is a more brisk pace to the areas with them not overstaying their welcome in your initial run through them.
While the game has the islands as separate locations and you are initially moving from area to area and interacting with new elements of the game fairly quickly, you will need to backtrack to those earlier sections if you want or need to go back to previously inaccessible areas and run through the same enemies that both stop being much of a threat but that also might now be showing up with a higher spawn rate. The limited amount of branching paths and the fairly obvious nature of the hidden areas also means those that like exploring or uncovering secrets won't have much to find in this area. Going back later in the game to collect hearts and dark magic just isn't that interesting. The new gear you find allowing you to get past a block or a jump you couldn't get through before. The NPCs you meet are entertaining but lack much variety in dialogue when you come back. Later on some of the equipment you find can make traveling through those areas very fast but it would have been better if going back was more fun in itself.
Very good action platformer, that would likely have been even better if it was linear in nature and if the time creating those side initially inaccessible areas were used for more content as you go or to touch up existing spaces.
There are metroidvania elements, where you will need to obtain certain equipment that can be used to interact with the environment if you want all the collectibles and optional battles, instead of one connected world you travel to six different islands that each have their own themes to them. There is a more brisk pace to the areas with them not overstaying their welcome in your initial run through them.
While the game has the islands as separate locations and you are initially moving from area to area and interacting with new elements of the game fairly quickly, you will need to backtrack to those earlier sections if you want or need to go back to previously inaccessible areas and run through the same enemies that both stop being much of a threat but that also might now be showing up with a higher spawn rate. The limited amount of branching paths and the fairly obvious nature of the hidden areas also means those that like exploring or uncovering secrets won't have much to find in this area. Going back later in the game to collect hearts and dark magic just isn't that interesting. The new gear you find allowing you to get past a block or a jump you couldn't get through before. The NPCs you meet are entertaining but lack much variety in dialogue when you come back. Later on some of the equipment you find can make traveling through those areas very fast but it would have been better if going back was more fun in itself.
Very good action platformer, that would likely have been even better if it was linear in nature and if the time creating those side initially inaccessible areas were used for more content as you go or to touch up existing spaces.
Where it Shines:
Music - 8/10
Humour - 6/10
Pixel Art - 7/10
The Good:
This game as a metroidvania is quite well done. It's nothing special, but there are a lot of things to collect and unlock without being too much, and the platforming and level design is very good. That combined with the art and music make for mostly a pleasant play through.
The Bad:
I have to comment on the stereotypical use of culture for Shantae, and the hyper sexualization that often accompanies female protagonists of this nature. I know Shantae, as an IP is quite old, so at the time with these games I was just sort of happy to see any brown skinned person in a game.
I think this game in particular doesn't lean too hard into appropriation, but it's still there as an undertone.
That aside, it's also just sort of a medioce experience - I think there's far better metroidvania's out there, though maybe not as bright and colorful as this one.
Summary:
You're not missing anything by skipping this, but it's not a horrible game by any means.
****note on my ratings:
half ⭐: hot trash garbage
⭐: below average, needs work
⭐⭐: average
⭐⭐⭐: pretty good
⭐⭐⭐⭐: excellent
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: all time favourite
half star ratings between those mean it's slightly better or worse than stated in this list.
*
Music - 8/10
Humour - 6/10
Pixel Art - 7/10
The Good:
This game as a metroidvania is quite well done. It's nothing special, but there are a lot of things to collect and unlock without being too much, and the platforming and level design is very good. That combined with the art and music make for mostly a pleasant play through.
The Bad:
I have to comment on the stereotypical use of culture for Shantae, and the hyper sexualization that often accompanies female protagonists of this nature. I know Shantae, as an IP is quite old, so at the time with these games I was just sort of happy to see any brown skinned person in a game.
I think this game in particular doesn't lean too hard into appropriation, but it's still there as an undertone.
That aside, it's also just sort of a medioce experience - I think there's far better metroidvania's out there, though maybe not as bright and colorful as this one.
Summary:
You're not missing anything by skipping this, but it's not a horrible game by any means.
****note on my ratings:
half ⭐: hot trash garbage
⭐: below average, needs work
⭐⭐: average
⭐⭐⭐: pretty good
⭐⭐⭐⭐: excellent
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: all time favourite
half star ratings between those mean it's slightly better or worse than stated in this list.
*
IMO this is the best of the Shantae series. Nice length, unique items, and a fun Metroidvania. Sorta small compared to other Metroidvanias, but considering it released on the 3DS, that's almost expected.
This would be the one I recommend to newcomers
This would be the one I recommend to newcomers
Legal, mas o level design é horrivel em certas partes, tem uns instakill riduculos
she rotty on my top till i
Mi primer Shantae que juego vaya xD
Su metroidvania es competente y te dan ganas en completarlo, sus diseños se me hacen super cute y memorables.
Las habilidades de shantae me encanta! lo malo es los items extras no los vi tan útiles la verdad, en el aspecto de música brilla en lo alto es muy buena junto a los jefes.
Su metroidvania es competente y te dan ganas en completarlo, sus diseños se me hacen super cute y memorables.
Las habilidades de shantae me encanta! lo malo es los items extras no los vi tan útiles la verdad, en el aspecto de música brilla en lo alto es muy buena junto a los jefes.
a very fun, and very horny metroidvania. visuals are very nice, gameplay is fun with great combat, soundtrack kicks ass, the locations are all interesting, the final boss is decently impactful, and its pretty funny too. other than the fairly frustrating final area before the final boss, there's not really a lull anywhere. i honestly dont really have a whole lot to say other than shit was damn good.
Probably the best Shantae game, all abilities are great and the map design is also really good. A must recommend for any Metroidvania lovers out there.
Favorite one in the series ngl this game was incredibly fun
Underrated game. Soundtrack is bumpin (thank you Jake Kaufman).
Not the deepest story you'll ever find in a game, but you're not here for the story now, are you?
Not the deepest story you'll ever find in a game, but you're not here for the story now, are you?
A really great metroidvania platformer. Not much to say about it other than that: super cute, fun adventure.
I don't like the shift from one interconnected world to smaller islands, but this is probably still the best Shantae game. The way Shantae's different abilities all work together makes traversal really fun.
I tried these Games since I am a Metroidvania Fan but this series kinda couldn’t klick with me. Sadly.
Best Shantae game to date. The metroidvania was really well done here.
I will play this game again and 100% it but its a really good platformer
the most fun i've had with a shantae game.
no ´se ni por qué me empecé esto
An excellent game, and my personal favorite in the series. Pirate's Curse admittedly plays a lot differently from the "standard" Shantae style, but I always loved how the abilities mesh together. The music is incredible as always, and the visuals combine the pixel art style of Risky's Revenge with more anime-esque character portraits. The one thing I don't like is that the pacing can grind to a halt at times for the sake of seemingly random diversions (Rottytops and the Tanline Temple segment come to mind).
4.5/5 - Great
I absolutely loved it, an excellent game and a noticeable improvement over the original. The level design was full of variety and challenge, the new pirate abilities were a load of fun to play with, the writing was very entertaining, the music was phenomenal and exploration was a blast. I could bring critique to the odd backgrounds and effects that often use auto-downscaled high-def images and look kinda bad compared to the gorgeous pixel art, as well as various times the game was rather cryptic, but I overall really enjoyed it. I thought it would be fun to rank every island, so here is my ranking:
6. Spiderweb Island: this is by a landslide the game’s weakest point, where I was barely even having fun for a lot of it. The starting area is absolutely full of annoying enemies that spawn on top of you, it's impossible to walk or even jump for 2 seconds before a zombie or a ghost just appear in your position and damages you, and fighting then isn't interesting nor is there much platforming here so this part is a bore. The Rotty carrying minigame was alright but far too much of it was waiting for things to move and I felt it overstayed its welcome. And the dungeon, while having some excellent level design, was the most confusing of them all, with a lot of places I struggled to navigate even with a map. At least I like the boss. Absolutely a mess of a level.
5. Saliva Island: yeah Spiderweb was the only level I didn't like, Saliva is a lot of fun, just not as great as the rest of the game. The earlier parts are great, with some fun platforming and enemies and some cool puzzles, although it can also be a tad confusing, and some of the enemies shoot projectiles with too little warning. The dungeon was great and used the pistol for lots of cool puzzles. Some flaws but a very fun island.
4. Scuttle Town: I'm only counting it because of the dungeon at the end. Throughout the game, there are a few neat things here, like the areas from previous games you can explore on your way to the palace and the sewer area, but at the end the final dungeon taking place inside the palace was one of the game’s highest points for me, bringing a genuinely awesome final challenge that tested all your platforming skills and a very fun final boss. It only falls here due to lacking some of the substance of other islands as a consequence of technically not being one.
3. Mud Bog Island: a great level - it's brought down by the early parts that I feel get too enemy spammy, with parts where there's basically no escaping damage, but as soon as you enter the cave of lost souls it jumps way up - the cave itself is full of some of the game’s most interesting writing alongside great level design, while the dungeon within was nothing short of excellent with lots of memorable moments and good challenge. The boss also felt a bit messy but I still loved the place.
2. Frostbite Island - going from slippery ice slides to aerial flying and swinging, to a dungeon full of cool gizmos and engaging level design, this entire area was a blast. I could describe everything I loved about it but assuming you played the game you'd already know, not much at fault to point out here. It just barely loses the top spot to…
1. Tan Line Island - this place has it all. The entrance area has fun combat sections, lots of cool secrets and uses of your abilities, and one of my favorite puzzles, the mod part’s stealth sequence was very unique and fun, the platforming within the dungeon was among the game’s alongside a very fun to explore layout, and the boss was a lot of fun and very funny too. This was the point I was really starting to love the game.
I absolutely loved it, an excellent game and a noticeable improvement over the original. The level design was full of variety and challenge, the new pirate abilities were a load of fun to play with, the writing was very entertaining, the music was phenomenal and exploration was a blast. I could bring critique to the odd backgrounds and effects that often use auto-downscaled high-def images and look kinda bad compared to the gorgeous pixel art, as well as various times the game was rather cryptic, but I overall really enjoyed it. I thought it would be fun to rank every island, so here is my ranking:
6. Spiderweb Island: this is by a landslide the game’s weakest point, where I was barely even having fun for a lot of it. The starting area is absolutely full of annoying enemies that spawn on top of you, it's impossible to walk or even jump for 2 seconds before a zombie or a ghost just appear in your position and damages you, and fighting then isn't interesting nor is there much platforming here so this part is a bore. The Rotty carrying minigame was alright but far too much of it was waiting for things to move and I felt it overstayed its welcome. And the dungeon, while having some excellent level design, was the most confusing of them all, with a lot of places I struggled to navigate even with a map. At least I like the boss. Absolutely a mess of a level.
5. Saliva Island: yeah Spiderweb was the only level I didn't like, Saliva is a lot of fun, just not as great as the rest of the game. The earlier parts are great, with some fun platforming and enemies and some cool puzzles, although it can also be a tad confusing, and some of the enemies shoot projectiles with too little warning. The dungeon was great and used the pistol for lots of cool puzzles. Some flaws but a very fun island.
4. Scuttle Town: I'm only counting it because of the dungeon at the end. Throughout the game, there are a few neat things here, like the areas from previous games you can explore on your way to the palace and the sewer area, but at the end the final dungeon taking place inside the palace was one of the game’s highest points for me, bringing a genuinely awesome final challenge that tested all your platforming skills and a very fun final boss. It only falls here due to lacking some of the substance of other islands as a consequence of technically not being one.
3. Mud Bog Island: a great level - it's brought down by the early parts that I feel get too enemy spammy, with parts where there's basically no escaping damage, but as soon as you enter the cave of lost souls it jumps way up - the cave itself is full of some of the game’s most interesting writing alongside great level design, while the dungeon within was nothing short of excellent with lots of memorable moments and good challenge. The boss also felt a bit messy but I still loved the place.
2. Frostbite Island - going from slippery ice slides to aerial flying and swinging, to a dungeon full of cool gizmos and engaging level design, this entire area was a blast. I could describe everything I loved about it but assuming you played the game you'd already know, not much at fault to point out here. It just barely loses the top spot to…
1. Tan Line Island - this place has it all. The entrance area has fun combat sections, lots of cool secrets and uses of your abilities, and one of my favorite puzzles, the mod part’s stealth sequence was very unique and fun, the platforming within the dungeon was among the game’s alongside a very fun to explore layout, and the boss was a lot of fun and very funny too. This was the point I was really starting to love the game.