Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 995 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • gameplay
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse Game Cover
A light-hearted platformer with plenty of action. A swashbuckling journey awaits you!
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In Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, the half-genie Shantae loses her magical abilities and must team up with her nemesis, the pirate Risky Boots, to overcome the pirate curse and save Sequin Land from the evil Pirate Master. Together, they explore various temples, collect pirate gear, and battle bosses in this action-adventure platformer. With its gorgeous animation, challenging gameplay, and humor, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse offers an unforgettable adventure.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Nintendo 3ds
  • Play​Station
  • Wii
  • Wii U
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 995 reviews
music204 positive mentions
grinding20 negative mentions
  • Engaging and humorous storyline with charming characters.
  • Fluid and responsive controls, making platforming enjoyable.
  • Beautiful pixel art and an excellent soundtrack enhance the overall experience.
  • Some sections require excessive backtracking, which can feel tedious.
  • The final dungeon features a significant difficulty spike that may frustrate players.
  • Limited character transformations may disappoint fans of previous games in the series.
  • music301 mentions

    The music in "Shantae and the Pirate's Curse" is widely praised for its catchy, upbeat compositions, primarily crafted by Jake Kaufman, which enhance the game's vibrant atmosphere and gameplay experience. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as one of the best in the series, noting its ability to evoke nostalgia while fitting seamlessly with the game's whimsical art style and humor. However, a few players found the music loops repetitive during extended play, though this did not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “The gameplay and the soundtrack are just top notch, and retro stylization is a perfect balance between old and modern direction.”
    • “The soundtrack is also absolutely amazing, having some of the best hits in the series!”
    • “Last but not least, jake kaufman's soundtrack is absolutely lovely, with a bunch of energetic, catchy tunes that will stay with you long after you've quit the game.”
    • “I find the music grating -- the loops are way too short, and given the backtracking you will be hearing the same loop over and over again.”
    • “The music is catchy, although occasionally repetitive, but that is to be expected in this genre of game.”
    • “Well, the music is good and fits very well with the art and the universe of the story, but I am pretty sure I won't remember any of those songs; it's not bad, but it's forgettable.”
  • story252 mentions

    The story in this game is a direct continuation from "Risky's Revenge," featuring a lighthearted and humorous narrative that balances quirky characters and engaging dialogue with themes of friendship and confidence. While some players find the plot simple and predictable, many appreciate its charm and the character development, particularly the dynamic between Shantae and her nemesis, Risky Boots. Overall, the story is enjoyable and complements the gameplay, making it a fun experience for both newcomers and series veterans.

    • “Even the story and the characters, despite a rather grim predicament, continue to maintain a lighthearted attitude, thus creating a perfect balance between funny interactions and surprisingly wholesome moments.”
    • “The story feels like a Saturday morning cartoon in a world without the FCC, complete with sweet morals about friendship and confidence, and how the power was within you all along.”
    • “The story is captivating and shows how you can team up with the worst of your enemies to salvage something.”
    • “The story is flimsy, but the actual moment-to-moment writing is actually really funny.”
    • “The plot was a tiny bit weak - with no spoilers, it boiled down to 'help Risky go beat up the bad guy' with a bunch of distractions and side quests along the way.”
    • “The story of your journey itself is kinda.... boring, you will clearly not play that game for its story.”
  • gameplay237 mentions

    The gameplay of "Shantae and the Pirate's Curse" is widely praised for its smooth controls, engaging mechanics, and a blend of platforming and metroidvania elements that enhance exploration and combat. Players appreciate the shift from transformation dances to pirate equipment, which allows for a more dynamic and fluid experience. While the game offers a moderate challenge and charming aesthetics, some reviewers noted occasional issues with level design and guidance, but overall, it is considered a standout title in the series with a fun and addictive gameplay loop.

    • “Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is a solid metroidvania, with great and pleasantly challenging gameplay, adorable aesthetics, lovable cast of characters, and a world that you wish you could be part of.”
    • “The gameplay is vastly improved - the abilities that are a staple of the series feel so much smoother, and the upgrade system gets quite the improvement in this game.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and challenging, with tight controls, enjoyable mechanics, and a fantastic soundtrack.”
    • “There's a forced sudden-death obstacle gauntlet that acts as a prelude to one level, and a forced stealth section with an instant fail mechanic in another.”
    • “It is severely lacking guidance, leaving me confused about what my objective even was at times; and much of the gameplay was very unintuitive to me, to the point where I ended up relying on trial and error more than anything else in the end.”
    • “The tedium of the backtracking required for the upgrades and items always put me off and the transformation dances constantly halted the flow of gameplay.”
  • graphics169 mentions

    The graphics of "Shantae and the Pirate's Curse" have received mixed but generally positive feedback, with many players appreciating the vibrant pixel art style and colorful visuals that evoke nostalgia. While some prefer the newer HD character designs, others feel that the pixelated graphics maintain a charming retro aesthetic that complements the gameplay. Overall, the art style is praised for its detail and character design, contributing to an engaging and visually appealing experience.

    • “The pixelated art style really grew on me after playing it for a while, and I even pondered if I like it more than the current art style with the whole cartoonish 2D thing.”
    • “The graphics are supremely detailed and animated, and the sound - which is done by none other than Jake Kaufman - is excellent and is bound to get stuck in your head.”
    • “The visuals in this game are beautiful, from the sprite work to the full 2D character drawings.”
    • “The only downside you could say is that the graphics are a lot more pixelated and low resolution.”
    • “They obviously haven't been redone from the 3DS version (which has a much lower resolution screen than most PCs) and, as they aren't pixel art and are instead pixel-interpolated bitmap graphics, they look pretty terrible at 1080p.”
    • “While the graphics are better than the first, I really wish developers would move on from the nostalgia of pixel graphics.”
  • humor141 mentions

    The humor in "Shantae and the Pirate's Curse" is widely praised for its wacky, lighthearted tone and clever writing, which balances comedic moments with engaging gameplay. Players appreciate the quirky characters, funny dialogue, and self-aware humor that often includes pop culture references and playful jabs at genre tropes. Overall, the game delivers a consistently entertaining experience filled with memorable interactions and amusing situations, making it a standout in the metroidvania genre.

    • “Even the story and the characters, despite a rather grim predicament, continue to maintain a lighthearted attitude, thus creating a perfect balance between funny interactions and surprisingly wholesome moments.”
    • “The characters are all distinct, well-designed, funny, and memorable, and every cutscene has some kind of joke as a reward for making progress.”
    • “The writing is funny, and the sprites and other artwork are excellent.”
  • replayability28 mentions

    The game's replayability is generally regarded as high, with players appreciating features like multiple endings, speedrunning opportunities, and various challenge modes that encourage repeated playthroughs. While some find the game short, the inclusion of unlockable abilities and secrets enhances its replay value, making it more engaging than typical action games. However, a few users noted that replayability may be limited for those who are not completionists or seeking additional challenges.

    • “Definitely has replayability in trying to 100% the game, speed running, or limited item/health playthroughs.”
    • “The replay value is also very high, as there are a lot of secrets, multiple endings, and multiple modes.”
    • “There's definite replayability too, with multiple endings for item collecting and speedrunning (similar to Metroid games) and an absurdly fun mode where you can start the game with all your unlocked powers.”
    • “Game doesn't encourage replayability though.”
    • “Replay value: unless you're a completionist or if the game is so good that you just want to play it again, there's not much replay value.”
    • “While the game is somewhat short at 7-10 hours in the first run, it does have a lot of replay value.”
  • grinding20 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, particularly when it comes to farming currency for upgrades and backtracking through levels. While some appreciate the improved controls and pacing, many feel that the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience, making exploration feel more like a chore than an engaging part of gameplay. The linear structure and reliance on grinding for 100% completion further contribute to the sentiment that the game lacks the rewarding exploration typically associated with metroidvania titles.

    • “But this game is so tedious.”
    • “Though it was a bit too grindy when it came to purchasing all the upgrades.”
    • “If there's any one flaw that I can find with the game, it's that you'll never normally get enough money to buy all the upgrades; you'll actually be required to farm money at some point in the game if you want the 100% completion, which gets a bit tedious.”
  • character development12 mentions

    The character development in "Shantae and the Pirate's Curse" is highly praised, with players noting significant growth and depth in the characters throughout the story. The game features charming animations, engaging dialogue, and a well-crafted narrative that fosters emotional investment in the characters and their relationships. Overall, the combination of impressive character design and immersive storytelling contributes to a memorable gaming experience.

    • “The game actually feels complete with the inclusion of more bosses, more abilities, more dungeons, and better character development.”
    • “Great character design, funny dialogues, perfectly polished levels, and an impressive amount of effort in making such an amazing story is the reason why this masterpiece is so popular.”
    • “The game actually feels complete with the inclusion of more bosses, more abilities, more dungeons and better character development.”
    • “There's a lot of character development in this game and, especially by the end, I found myself caring more than I would have expected about what happened to them and their relationships with one another.”
    • “Character design got its peak on this game and every scenario is unique also... all the girls are sexy.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of lighthearted humor and wholesome moments, creating a charming and engaging experience. While some players found certain elements to evoke mixed feelings, the overall tone remains heartwarming and nostalgic, reminiscent of classic gaming experiences. The balance between challenge and enjoyment contributes to a fun and memorable journey.

    • “Even the story and the characters, despite a rather grim predicament, continue to maintain a lighthearted attitude, thus creating a perfect balance between funny interactions and surprisingly wholesome moments.”
    • “The writing is as charming and ridiculous as ever; heartwarming in parts.”
    • “Overall, it was a wholesome and fun experience, and I highly recommend playing it yourself.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on lower-end systems and maintains a steady 60 fps for some players, others experience performance issues, including freezing and poor compatibility with high-refresh-rate displays. Additionally, the controls are not well-suited for one-handed play, which detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Performance: the game doesn't take much to run.”
    • “Performance | 10/10 (always ran at 60 fps throughout the entire adventure.)”
    • “I had mixed feelings about this game, because of all the performance issues and frustrating levels... still everything that makes Shantae great made up for that.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game isn't optimized for newer screens or laptops that run at 120Hz, making the game run 5x faster (not 2x, but 5x).”
    • “I had mixed feelings about this game because of all the performance issues and frustrating levels... still, everything that makes Shantae great made up for that.”
    • “The controls aren't optimized for one-handed play, which is a bummer; otherwise, it's a great game.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is likened to a playful, risqué Saturday morning cartoon, enhanced by high-quality music that complements the visuals and individual levels. Reviewers praise the fun and engaging environment, noting that the soundtrack significantly elevates the overall experience, making even generic locations feel more vibrant and enjoyable.

    • “Fun atmosphere and definitely worth the purchase!”
    • “Tight controls, smooth, fast-paced combat and platforming, fantastic atmosphere in some areas, a lot of really nice music, and it’s got quite the replay value for a 2D platformer.”
    • “Music and sound effects in Shantae and the Pirate's Curse don't fall short of the graphics, with the game featuring a large number of high-quality and atmospheric music tracks, which greatly fit not only the overall game, but individual levels and characters as well.”
    • “The whole game has the atmosphere of an amusingly chaotic Saturday morning cartoon.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users have reported occasional bugs with fullscreen mode, particularly when using the alt-f4 command to exit the game.

    • “Fullscreen mode seems a bit buggy sometimes when using Alt+F4.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it hard to enjoy.”
    • “I experience random freezes that disrupt gameplay.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

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Play time

10hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
8hMain story
10hCompletionist
7-11hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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