One of the most disappointing sequels I have ever played, bar none.
Shovel Knight was, and still is, an incredible 2D platformer even if it was severely lacking in originality. It borrowed its inspiration from all of the right NES games and had several expansions that you didn't have to purchase if you bought the main game (which was already great) at launch.
All Yacht Club really needed to do for a follow-up was more of the same with perhaps a 16-bit aesthetic and a "Super" moniker.
Unfortunately, they decided to be lazy and let the computer generate the levels for them. Because, you know, game journalists slobber over anything that is a roguelike. The concept behind this game (that is, digging further and further down a chasm with the impending threat of a drill coming to whiff your ass) isn't that bad for a spinoff, but not at the cost of real level design.
To add insult to injury, this game cost five dollars more than the original Shovel Knight did at launch while offering significantly less to do.
Oh well, at least the art direction is more or less what I expected and the music is good- not that it can carry an otherwise soul-less experience. I got the normal ending once after maybe two hours of playing and see no point in going back. I'll just revisit the original Shovel Knight when I need my fix, and I'd suggest you do the same.
Shovel Knight was, and still is, an incredible 2D platformer even if it was severely lacking in originality. It borrowed its inspiration from all of the right NES games and had several expansions that you didn't have to purchase if you bought the main game (which was already great) at launch.
All Yacht Club really needed to do for a follow-up was more of the same with perhaps a 16-bit aesthetic and a "Super" moniker.
Unfortunately, they decided to be lazy and let the computer generate the levels for them. Because, you know, game journalists slobber over anything that is a roguelike. The concept behind this game (that is, digging further and further down a chasm with the impending threat of a drill coming to whiff your ass) isn't that bad for a spinoff, but not at the cost of real level design.
To add insult to injury, this game cost five dollars more than the original Shovel Knight did at launch while offering significantly less to do.
Oh well, at least the art direction is more or less what I expected and the music is good- not that it can carry an otherwise soul-less experience. I got the normal ending once after maybe two hours of playing and see no point in going back. I'll just revisit the original Shovel Knight when I need my fix, and I'd suggest you do the same.