I played and LOVED Shovel Knight back when it came out after I helped Kickstart it, and I've been sitting on my hands for AGES on playing the free DLC's for it. First up is Plague of Shadows, an alternate quest where you get to play through as Plague Knight, one of the bosses from the original game. Design-wise it isn't super different from the main game, but it's still loads of fun.
Most of the levels are more or less unchanged unless it's to encourage you to use Plague Knight's new controls or getting rid of bits that only Shovel Knight could use. Instead of the Duck Tales-style pogo-stick jump that Shovel Knight has, Plague Knight has powers similar to how he fights in the game as he can throw bombs, explode up or at an arc to the side for traversing stages, as well as a small second jump he can do after his tiny normal jump. Moving around the stages with the vertical detonation jumps is super quick and super responsive. The curio sub-weapons can still only be used by a combo of Y+Up, but a couple in particular really stand out in letting you climb all over the place as they either give you an uppercut for more air or an explosive platform to launch off of. It takes some getting used to, but it's great fun to fight as Plague Knight before long.
Verdict: Highly Recommended. Other than a changed story to reflect our new hero Plague Knight instead of Shovel Knight (although Shovel Knight is still here sometimes XP), the bosses, map, and even levels are mostly unchanged from the main Treasure Trove game, save for a changed final boss. This isn't particularly a bad thing, but it may make Plague of Shadows a difficult sell if you've only just beat Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove and want something noticeably different. All the same great animation and level design are still here, just with a new playable character with his own new great playstyle and music. If you loved the original Shovel Knight, the first expansion is a pretty safe bet that you'll enjoy it.
Most of the levels are more or less unchanged unless it's to encourage you to use Plague Knight's new controls or getting rid of bits that only Shovel Knight could use. Instead of the Duck Tales-style pogo-stick jump that Shovel Knight has, Plague Knight has powers similar to how he fights in the game as he can throw bombs, explode up or at an arc to the side for traversing stages, as well as a small second jump he can do after his tiny normal jump. Moving around the stages with the vertical detonation jumps is super quick and super responsive. The curio sub-weapons can still only be used by a combo of Y+Up, but a couple in particular really stand out in letting you climb all over the place as they either give you an uppercut for more air or an explosive platform to launch off of. It takes some getting used to, but it's great fun to fight as Plague Knight before long.
Verdict: Highly Recommended. Other than a changed story to reflect our new hero Plague Knight instead of Shovel Knight (although Shovel Knight is still here sometimes XP), the bosses, map, and even levels are mostly unchanged from the main Treasure Trove game, save for a changed final boss. This isn't particularly a bad thing, but it may make Plague of Shadows a difficult sell if you've only just beat Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove and want something noticeably different. All the same great animation and level design are still here, just with a new playable character with his own new great playstyle and music. If you loved the original Shovel Knight, the first expansion is a pretty safe bet that you'll enjoy it.