Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is an easy recommendation to any fan of the genre with its lush visuals, memorable soundtrack and varied environments, making it one of the best 2D platformers of recent times.

90%Game Brain Score

music, story

grinding, optimization

90% User Score Based on 1,466 reviews

Critic Score 82%Based on 32 reviews

Platforms

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About

In "Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition," play as the heroine Shantae and use her Hair-Whip Attack and Belly Dance abilities to save Sequin Land from a crime wave. Discover over a dozen dances, unlock new powers with the Relic System, and conquer arcade-style action stages. The ultimate edition includes additional DLC modes with new characters, levels, and bosses.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,466 reviews

music395 positive mentions

grinding40 negative mentions

Gorgeous graphics and animations that bring the characters and world to life.
Catchy soundtrack with a variety of enjoyable tunes that enhance the gameplay experience.
Fun and engaging platforming mechanics with a variety of transformations to explore.

Short game length with only a few levels, leading to a feeling of limited content.
Excessive backtracking required to collect items and complete quests, which can become tedious.
Difficulty spikes in certain areas, particularly in the final level, can be frustrating.

music
611 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
34%
1%
The music in "Shantae: Half-Genie Hero" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the catchy and vibrant soundtrack composed by Jake Kaufman. Players appreciate the variety of tracks that enhance the game's atmosphere, although some noted that the music can become repetitive due to the game's backtracking mechanics. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the standout features of the game, contributing significantly to its charm and enjoyment.
- “As a music theory teacher and pianist, I can say that this soundtrack is very well written and brings back modern renditions of classic Shantae tracks.”
- “The soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal.”
- “The music is incredible; I never found it boring.”
- “I didn't like the music though.”
- “There was also no volume slider for music, so you can't turn it off, which was extremely irritating.”
- “My only real complaint is that the music can get a little repetitive due to the metroidvania nature of the game, forcing you to backtrack a ton and hear each track plenty of times.”
story
496 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
71%
5%
The story of "Shantae: Half-Genie Hero" is generally described as light-hearted and whimsical, featuring a simple plot that often relies on fetch quests and backtracking to progress. While some players appreciate the humor and charm of the characters, many feel the narrative lacks depth and cohesion compared to previous entries in the series, making it feel episodic and disconnected. Overall, the story is seen as enjoyable but ultimately forgettable, serving more as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative experience.
- “The story is just as goofy and filled with pop culture references as well as callbacks to past games like the chef and her dog Wobblebell and even the Barons (ammo, squid, tech, and hypno).”
- “The art direction, characters, story, and narration are all top-notch.”
- “The story is entertaining and the transformations keep the gameplay interesting.”
- “The story is very short and not interesting at all.”
- “The story is a bit lackluster in this one but it's still solid.”
- “The story is pretty weak and honestly if you remove playing the actual levels, I could tell the entire story of the game to completion with like 2 sentences.”
graphics
477 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
43%
1%
The graphics in "Shantae: Half-Genie Hero" have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant, hand-drawn art style and smooth animations, marking a significant upgrade from previous entries in the series. The game effectively blends 2D character sprites with 3D backgrounds, creating a colorful and cartoonish aesthetic that enhances the overall gameplay experience. Many reviewers noted that the visuals are not only beautiful but also contribute to the game's charm, making it a standout title for fans of platformers.
- “The graphics have been greatly upgraded to look like you're playing a cartoon without sacrificing those fluid controls the franchise is just as famous for.”
- “The graphics are vibrant and full of rich color; the animation is silky smooth; the music is kickin'; the sense of humor is as meta and fanservice-y as ever.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the music is kick butt, and the gameplay is pretty solid.”
- “The graphics are primitive and ugly in this game.”
- “Pixel graphics in previous games are way better and more beautiful.”
- “The art style and gameplay feel like a real step back.”
gameplay
454 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
4%
The gameplay of "Shantae: Half-Genie Hero" is generally praised for its smooth controls, vibrant animations, and engaging platforming mechanics, though it has been noted to be more linear and less complex compared to its predecessor, "Pirate's Curse." While the transformation mechanic adds variety and fun, some players feel it can disrupt the flow of gameplay and lead to excessive backtracking. Overall, the game is considered enjoyable, with a charming aesthetic and solid mechanics, but it may not fully satisfy fans seeking the depth and exploration of earlier titles in the series.
- “The gameplay is fast-paced and highly enjoyable.”
- “The gameplay is very addicting, and the artstyle/soundtrack are a nice compliment to the overall experience.”
- “The gameplay is fun and responsive, I got used to the transformations; they add a variety of different ways to play the game.”
- “The gameplay is also a bit too easy this time with very easy puzzles and easy bosses... especially if you go for 100% completion.”
- “The gameplay feels a lot better than Risky's Revenge and Pirate's Curse, but it still falls short of the expectations set by those titles.”
- “Unfortunately, the gameplay and mechanics have been simplified a bit; it is more platformer and less metroidvania than previous Shantae games, there are no puzzles or dungeons, and it is much more linear than the previous games.”
humor
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Shantae: Half-Genie Hero" is widely praised for its clever writing, quirky character interactions, and light-hearted tone, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. While some reviews note that it may not reach the comedic heights of its predecessor, "Pirate's Curse," the game still delivers a delightful mix of self-aware humor, puns, and charming dialogue that enhances the overall experience. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a fun and engaging platformer.
- “Few games make me audibly laugh over anything that isn't an incredibly bad design choice, but this game had me laughing a lot, in particular Squid Baron's gag about paid DLC skins.”
- “The writing is always fantastic, the dialogue between characters often has you laughing out loud as they always have quirky conversations.”
- “Shantae and her friends are utterly hilarious and witty, and it's worth playing the game just to see them bounce quips off one another.”
character development
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
52%
6%
Character development in this game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the character designs and animations as top-notch and visually appealing. However, there is a consensus that the game lacks the depth and progression seen in previous entries, particularly "Pirate's Curse," leading to disappointment regarding the absence of character growth and narrative continuity. Overall, while the aesthetics are celebrated, the character development feels minimal and unsatisfying to long-time fans of the series.
- “The character designs are absolutely top notch and a treat for the eyes, whether they be cute, sexy, or both, not to mention that they are animated so fluidly and gracefully.”
- “An incredible entry in the Shantae series featuring exploration, animal transformations, and some of my favorite character designs of the series.”
- “The new art design is absolutely gorgeous, with painstaking attention paid to both the animation fidelity and character design.”
- “All the character development is thrown out the window instead of rewarding cult following.”
- “Finally, this game has even less character development than 'Pirate's Curse' (as in, none at all).”
- “I really wish there had been more character development or some sort of additional focus on the characters than the game gave.”
grinding
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding the backtracking and item collection tedious, especially in a metroidvania context. However, the introduction of varied transformations and mobility options helps alleviate some of the monotony, making the experience more enjoyable for those who appreciate exploration. Overall, while some players find the repetitive nature of grinding and revisiting levels frustrating, others appreciate the challenge and humor, suggesting that enjoyment may depend on individual preferences for gameplay style.
- “Good humor and not too tedious, especially when you have to backtrack as it gives you new abilities to have fun with and explore. I would recommend it for anyone who likes platformers and maybe someone who doesn't play games too much.”
- “It's not tedious to collect everything in the game, far from it. Especially in a game designed around replaying levels and collecting things, but sometimes going through levels to collect one item you think you might've missed can get a little tedious.”
- “You'll often find yourself constantly transforming back and forth for some challenges, which gets tedious quickly.”
- “This might seem okay at first, but as you unlock more transformations, it will get tedious and slow at times.”
- “What follows is the tedious kind of backtracking: revisiting previous levels to find that one block you could not previously break, that one spot you could not previously climb, that one platform you could not previously reach, all while traversing exhausted content that has lost its meaning by the time you come back with your bag full of upgrades.”
replayability
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
56%
8%
The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players highlighting the variety of modes, collectibles, and challenges that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some reviews note that the base game may feel short and limit replay value without additional DLC, while others emphasize the appeal of speedrunning and alternate character playthroughs. Overall, the game offers a mix of engaging content that can keep players returning, especially with future updates and expansions.
- “Lots to collect and backtrack for, tons of replayability and extra modes such as max difficulty, playing as other characters, alternate story content, etc. Rewards for collecting are also really great.”
- “Spent about 8 hours on my first playthrough, but I enjoyed those 8 hours so much, I immediately tried to speedrun the game on 'hero mode' right after finishing, so replay value is high.”
- “I personally loved the experience, and of course there are achievements and extra modes to add to the replay value and keep you coming back for more.”
- “If you weren’t already sick of Half-Genie Hero’s lack of replay value, the DLC really hammers it down in the worst way possible.”
- “In my opinion, it has no replay value, since I got the whole experience on one run.”
- “However, like its previous installments, the game suffers from its short length and limited replay value.”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of charm and nostalgia, with players expressing warmth from the cute characters and wholesome moments, despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics. While the story may lack depth for newcomers, returning fans feel a strong emotional attachment to the recurring cast, enhancing their overall experience. However, some players also report moments of frustration that detract from the enjoyment, highlighting a mix of joy and irritation throughout their journey.
- “Along the way, the techno/ammo/comic relief baron makes their appearances at varying points in the game, and it just gives you warm fuzzies because of the wholesome cuteness of it all.”
- “Whenever I remember the sadness this game made me feel from time to time, I need to remind myself that the game still has plenty of charm, humor, and explosions.”
- “Just seeing the characters bob to the beat of the rhythm is truly heartwarming.”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
The optimization of "Half-Genie Hero" has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering and a lack of optimization options, while others report a smooth gameplay experience. Many users express a desire for improvements to performance, indicating that they would change their reviews positively if these issues were addressed. Overall, the game's optimization appears inconsistent, with some praising its smoothness and others highlighting the need for further enhancements.
- “It plays better, looks vastly better, is far more optimized and has all the charm and character you'd expect from WayForward.”
- “I don't see any flaws to this game at all, it's optimized well and the gameplay is smooth.”
- “I had a very steady frame rate during my playthrough and I felt the controls with the Xbox 360 controller worked really well and smoothly, sadly there wasn’t an option for windowed mode in PC though (very few optimization options in general).”
- “Performance is terrible.”
- “I'd recommend this game out of my mind if it weren't for the horrible performance.”
- “So in a way, the launch exclusion of risky mode, coupled with the performance issues kinda gives the game an early access feel rather than a full launch.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
38%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is described as cheerful and lighthearted, enhanced by well-tuned music and fluid animations that complement the gameplay. The dialogue maintains a tongue-in-cheek tone, contributing to the overall charm, although some narrative elements may slightly detract from the atmosphere. Overall, the combination of hand-drawn characters and vibrant sprite graphics creates a captivating and enjoyable environment.
- “The music, as ever, is so well tuned to meet the level's atmosphere.”
- “Gameplay is solid; the atmosphere and dialogue are lighthearted and tongue-in-cheek, as all Shantae games have been.”
- “Characters are still funny as ever, and the world keeps that charming atmosphere.”
- “Once the issue is resolved, the women are obviously gone seeing how you saved them, but it kind of ruins the atmosphere a little.”
- “As much as I appreciate well-done sprite graphics (and I do), the hand-drawn characters really suit this series, and it goes well with the cartoony atmosphere.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
80%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many users appreciate its content and find it largely bug-free, others report encountering significant glitches and game-breaking exploits that can hinder gameplay. Minor graphical issues and animation glitches are also noted, but some players feel these do not detract significantly from the overall experience.
- “I would recommend this to people because it has a lot of content and is completely bug-free.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches, making for a stable experience.”
- “I've played for hours without encountering any issues, which speaks volumes about its stability.”
- “I skipped the cutscene, but the fade to black was still on the screen, leaving it black and making the fight impossible. I've encountered several glitches so far, some worse than others.”
- “The game has some pretty bad glitches and game-breaking exploits.”
- “A few animation glitches occur during the opening sequence when Shantae first gets out of bed and in the mid-level save sequence.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, suggesting that developers are prioritizing profit over quality, particularly targeting uninformed buyers.
- “This version of the game is still available, which just shows how much the developers are focused on cash grabs for players who haven't done their research before purchasing.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems designed to squeeze money from players rather than enhance the gaming experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it clear that the developers prioritize profit over player satisfaction.”