Shovel Knight

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a comprehensive series collection that's right at home on the Nintendo Switch.

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Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a classic action-adventure game with 8-bit retro aesthetics, featuring the titular Shovel Knight in his quest to defeat the Order of No Quarter and save his beloved. The complete edition includes four additional games, following the stories of Plague Knight, Specter Knight, and King Knight, with various game modes like cooperative play, challenges, and local four-player Showdown. Customize your experience with Body Swap mode and uphold the virtues of Shovelry.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,557 reviews

music1,460 positive mentions

grinding47 negative mentions

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove offers four distinct campaigns, each with unique mechanics and engaging stories, providing excellent replayability.
The game features beautiful pixel art, an outstanding soundtrack, and charming characters, making it a nostalgic experience for fans of retro platformers.
The developers have shown great dedication by continuously updating the game with free DLC, enhancing the overall value and experience.

The game can be frustrating due to instant-death mechanics, such as spikes and pits, which can lead to cheap deaths and loss of progress.
Some players find the controls to be clunky and unresponsive, particularly when navigating tight platforming sections.
Plague of Shadows is criticized for reusing levels from Shovel of Hope, making it feel less original and engaging compared to the other campaigns.

music
2,254 mentions
65 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Shovel Knight" is widely praised for its exceptional quality, with many reviewers highlighting its catchy chiptune style that evokes nostalgia for classic 8-bit games. Composed by Jake Kaufman and Manami Matsumae, the soundtrack is noted for its memorable tracks that enhance the gameplay experience and fit seamlessly with the game's various levels and themes. Overall, the music is considered one of the standout features of the game, contributing significantly to its charm and appeal.
- “The music of this game is phenomenal, the pixel art is perfect, the writing and comedy is on point for this style of game.”
- “The game’s soundtrack is outstanding, with memorable tunes that perfectly complement the retro aesthetic.”
- “The soundtrack is likely the strongest part of the game and one of the best of the last decade.”
- “The music, while catchy, gets very annoying after a while as well.”
- “The soundtrack is serviceable, but it’s nothing special, nor is it anything I would consider buying on the side.”
- “The music is still mostly just remixed stuff from the base game, but it's still solid despite being less memorable.”
gameplay
1,999 mentions
44 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Shovel Knight" is widely praised for its tight controls, engaging mechanics, and nostalgic design that pays homage to classic 8-bit platformers like Mega Man and DuckTales. Each of the four campaigns introduces unique mechanics and challenges, ensuring a fresh experience throughout, although some players find certain mechanics, such as instant-death pits and the coin loss system, frustrating. Overall, the game successfully combines retro aesthetics with modern gameplay sensibilities, offering a rewarding and enjoyable experience for both new players and fans of the genre.
- “The gameplay is excellent and constantly experiments and forces you to adapt - but in a way that seems fair and is informed by the level, the story is minimalist and yet touching and perfectly reinforces and augments the gameplay, and the amount of content is just mind-blowing.”
- “Shovel knight is a well developed game that brings back a childhood experience while also introducing this as perhaps a new megaman gameplay style.”
- “The gameplay is a mix of megaman, castlevania and duck tales (love that shovel pogo move).”
- “With pits that insta-kill you, and enemies placed in terrible locations that require almost perfect placement or you fall, the loss of the coin mechanic and lack of in-level full saves make for frustrating gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is not good at all; shovel knight feels really heavy, making it difficult to control, and the jump mechanics can be confusing.”
- “The gameplay is riddled with unfair enemies, cheap kills, and a poorly implemented money-recovery mechanic, which detracts from the overall experience.”
story
1,582 mentions
41 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The "story" aspect of Shovel Knight has received mixed but generally positive feedback from users. Many appreciate the simple yet charming narrative that revolves around a classic quest to save a beloved character, Shield Knight, from the evil Enchantress, while others find it somewhat cliché. Each of the game's four campaigns introduces unique perspectives and character-driven stories, with notable highlights being the emotional depth in Specter Knight's backstory and the humorous elements in Plague Knight's tale. Overall, the storytelling is seen as engaging and well-integrated with the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience despite its straightforward nature.
- “You travel the land on a grand quest to save your beloved Shield Knight, and along the way will encounter both friends and foes.”
- “The characters, world, and story also have plenty of love and development put into them, confirming that you are playing an extremely fleshed-out game rather than just experiencing good gameplay.”
- “His story was the humorous, yet tragic prequel it needed to be, amusing you consistently up until the end and then gut-punching you with a brilliant, albeit foreseeable, twist!”
- “The story is pretty standard: defeat the 8 knights of no quarter in order to get to the final boss to save the damsel in distress.”
- “The story is simple and doesn't hide itself from the player like many other games; the story is great and all of the characters have so much personality in their designs, animations, and actions throughout the story, none of them feel bland and uninteresting.”
- “The story is surprisingly heartwarming and the levels provide a constantly engaging series of challenges.”
graphics
950 mentions
52 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Shovel Knight" are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, which effectively captures the nostalgic essence of classic 8-bit games while incorporating modern enhancements. Reviewers highlight the vibrant colors, detailed animations, and overall aesthetic that evoke fond memories of retro gaming, making it visually appealing even to those unfamiliar with the original era. Despite some criticisms regarding the oversaturation of pixel art in indie games, many agree that "Shovel Knight" stands out for its quality and attention to detail, successfully blending nostalgia with contemporary design sensibilities.
- “The graphics are incredibly good and use the 8-bit style in a very creative way, with vibrant colors and amazing animations.”
- “The graphics really nailed retro 8-bit in the best sense; colorful, vibrant, detailed, and immersive.”
- “The graphics, music, and gameplay make for an addicting experience.”
- “The gimmick of 'retro 8-bit' graphics has been done to death at this point, and it's easy to see through the gimmick in the modern age.”
- “It's clear the art style heavily carried this game back in the day, as it's a boring, dated mess to play today.”
- “Graphically, it's not that special, but it is colorful and efficient.”
humor
289 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, seamlessly integrating into the narrative and character interactions without feeling forced. Players appreciate the lighthearted, quirky dialogue and amusing character designs, which enhance the overall experience while balancing moments of sincerity and depth. The game successfully combines nostalgic platforming elements with a unique sense of humor, making it both entertaining and engaging.
- “The humor isn't off-putting, and adds a lot to the experience overall, and while it may occasionally feel a bit forced, it's still written with the setting in mind, rather than in contrast to the setting.”
- “His story was the humorous, yet tragic prequel it needed to be, amusing you consistently up until the end and then gut-punching you with a brilliant, albeit foreseeable, twist!”
- “The writing is consistently funny, and the gameplay while tough is never unfair.”
- “I'm slightly sick of quirky and unfunny indie titles.”
replayability
225 mentions
40 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Shovel Knight is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, offering a wealth of content including multiple campaigns, new game+ modes, and a variety of achievements and challenges that encourage players to revisit the game. The inclusion of different characters, secrets, and collectibles further enhances the replay value, making it a game that players can enjoy repeatedly. Overall, it is considered a modern classic with nearly infinite replay potential, appealing to both completionists and casual players alike.
- “I finished the main quest in about 7 hours, but there is loads of replayable content in this game: new game+, different characters with different stories, and even a pseudo fighting game, not to mention all the different accomplishments and challenges available in the game.”
- “The gameplay, aesthetic, and soundtrack are all phenomenal and there is a crazy amount of replayability between the different campaigns, game modes, and achievements available.”
- “Endless replayability: even after completing all the campaigns, Shovel Knight offers plenty of reasons to keep coming back for more.”
- “The game scores very high in replayability; at first, you think, well if all 4 parts are as short as this one, it will be over, then you realize there is a new game plus which doubles the amount of levels and adds a serious challenge to every one of them, then there is showdown, challenge mode, and some insane achievements.”
- “Sure, there's a new game+ mode, and a DLC gamemode called Plague of Shadows, as well as a challenge mode, but overall, the replayability is limited in this game.”
- “While a fun, retro-style romp on your first or second playthrough, there isn't a lot of replayability with this one compared to other old-school side scrollers like Mega Man or Mario.”
emotional
88 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Shovel Knight" is highlighted by its heartfelt storytelling and character-driven narratives, which resonate deeply with players. Despite its retro aesthetic, the game weaves touching tales of love, loss, and personal growth, often surprising players with their emotional depth. The combination of charming dialogue, engaging gameplay, and a nostalgic soundtrack enhances the overall experience, making it a memorable and emotionally impactful journey.
- “Heartfelt storytelling: despite its retro aesthetic, Shovel Knight manages to weave a surprisingly heartfelt narrative throughout its various campaigns.”
- “From Shovel Knight's quest to rescue his beloved Shield Knight to Specter Knight's tragic backstory, there's an emotional depth to the game that resonates with players of all ages.”
- “The story is surprisingly heartwarming and the levels provide a constantly engaging series of challenges.”
grinding
52 mentions
4 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
Reviews of the "grinding" aspect highlight a mixed experience, with some players finding it fun and satisfying, while others describe it as tedious and frustrating, particularly in later levels. Many noted that while grinding can be necessary for upgrades and achievements, it often leads to repetitive gameplay and trial-and-error frustration. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a double-edged sword, offering both enjoyable challenges and moments of tedium.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “There's no grinding or tedium, just great platforming.”
- “But this one is too tedious and just unfair.”
- “Trying to beat a section with the same enemies and traps for the umpteenth time starts to become tedious, especially after you manage to beat a hard section just to die to something at the end of that section, just before a checkpoint...”
- “Arduously, there's a certain skill level where you're just not going to be able to beat the game at all, but it makes the game grindy when you have to keep replaying the easy levels just to buy upgrades and items to make the harder ones doable at all.”
atmosphere
46 mentions
63 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its perfect blend of charming pixel art, diverse and immersive soundtracks, and nostalgic nods to classic 16-bit titles. Reviewers highlight the unique ambiance of each level, enhanced by well-composed music that complements the gameplay and setting, creating a captivating experience. While some critiques mention gameplay shortcomings, the overall sentiment is that the atmosphere is a standout feature that significantly enriches the game.
- “This game nails the aesthetics, gameplay, and atmosphere of classic 16-bit games from the 80s and 90s, and modernizes it for today's audience.”
- “The flawless combination of some of the tightest and most responsive controls, a beautiful and expressive soundtrack, and very well-executed visuals blend to create a wonderful atmosphere.”
- “Charming pixel art, tight controls, a lovely atmosphere with delicious sound and one of the best video game soundtracks I've ever had the pleasure of hearing.”
- “It lacks the excitement and atmosphere of real Dark Souls.”
- “A soundtrack is supposed to create an atmosphere, and this one completely misses the mark in that regard.”
- “It looks like the game was built around the atmosphere, but the developers just weren't sure how to carry all of that over into level design.”
character development
45 mentions
64 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally viewed as minimal, with some reviewers noting that while the main storyline lacks depth, certain campaigns, like Specter Knight, offer more substantial character arcs and interactions. The character designs are widely praised for their creativity and appeal, contributing to a nostalgic yet unique atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Despite the limited character development, the engaging designs and humor in animations provide a charming backdrop to the gameplay.
- “The story and dialogue are very good, and the character design fits the world.”
- “What's really attractive about Shovel Knight is the character design, as it uses themes that one might have come up with as 'cool characters' when they were a kid, and fleshes them out into believable figures that are both interesting to fight and to play.”
- “Specter Knight is legitimately better than the main Shovel Knight campaign in my opinion; it has a better story, better characters, more character development, and an entirely new cast of unique NPCs in a base so amazing you can literally spend more time there than you do on the actual levels.”
- “The base game - Shovel of Hope - is a typical 'you're a good guy and you must save the world' story with zero world-building and character development.”
- “Either you can just talk to them, which is useless, you can buy something from them, which can be useful, or you fight them, there's no real character development.”
- “While the premise is silly, I like it much more than the cliché that Shovel of Hope is, and we actually get a little character development this time (but just a little, god forbid the developers actually try expanding the almost non-existent game lore).”
optimization
19 mentions
47 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game is a mixed bag; while many players praise its smooth performance, solid 60 fps, and thoughtful design for speedrunning, some report frustrating performance issues on lower-end systems. The graphics and gameplay are generally well-crafted, but individual experiences vary, with some users encountering framerate drops that may be linked to their hardware rather than the game's optimization itself.
- “Does a great job of capturing the feeling of the old 8/16 bit console days without sacrificing on performance or playability.”
- “Amazing soundtrack and pixel graphics with incredible optimization.”
- “Nothing about this game is not polished, optimized and well crafted.”
- “Plague of Shadows feels the worst to play; levels are too similar to Shovel of Hope but are worse because it's not optimized for a shorter king.”
- “The PC port was running slowly on my computer, but I would recommend it if you have something better than a potato.”
- “To top all that off, for some reason there are some serious performance issues on my rig, too.”
stability
13 mentions
31 % positive mentions
8 % neutral mentions
62 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many users reporting smooth performance and no significant glitches or crashes across various platforms, including PC and Steam Deck. However, a few players experienced occasional freezing and minor glitches, indicating that while the game is mostly solid, there are some inconsistencies in stability for certain users.
- “The game also includes a competitive brawling mode, co-op support, looks fantastic, and runs great on both PC and the Steam Deck.”
- “Runs great on Linux.”
- “It's like going back to the past when I got my NES from my cousin 12 years ago, and it runs great on both my gaming desktop and my i3 with Intel HD graphics laptop.”
- “I really wanted to get into this game but it freezes every 10 minutes or so.”
- “Examples of such difficulty being a massive emphasis on just plain trial and error (wow, look how much skill I have in brute forcing the game until I remember how to do the run perfectly! wow! literally anyone, no matter how bad they are at platforming games, can do this, but is it truly fun? no. it's tedious and exhausting, and it's a waste of time), zones where the lights turn on and off, zones where the foreground blocks your view of the level, zones with enemies and projectiles that copy-paste Castlevania's Medusa heads enemies, zones where the shovel knight just glitches through the platforms (i.e.: Polar Knight's stage), and to top it all off, shovel knight jumps back like a full on yard with every tiny hit.”
- “Great game, although I did feel some glitches, but nonetheless it's pretty well made and a fun game.”
monetization
6 mentions
17 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
Overall, users appreciate monetization strategies that avoid microtransactions and emphasize earning in-game currency through gameplay, as seen in Yacht Club Games' approach with Shovel Knight. They view Kickstarter as a positive funding method that also serves as effective advertising. However, there is frustration towards cash grab tactics commonly employed by other companies.
- “Props to Yacht Club Games for having no microtransactions... it's like the NES days; if you want in-game currency, you earn it, not pay for it. Are you listening, EA?”
- “This game feels like a cash grab, with monetization tactics that ruin the experience.”
- “The monetization model is frustrating and makes it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- “It's disappointing to see such aggressive monetization strategies in a game that could have been great.”