Shovel Knight

About

Shovel Knight is a single player platformer game with fantasy and comedy themes. It was developed by Yacht Club Games and was released on June 26, 2014. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

Shovel Knight is a sweeping classic action adventure game with awesome gameplay, memorable characters, and an 8-bit retro aesthetic. It's a hot mashup of new and old! You play as the eponymous Shovel Knight, a small knight with a huge quest. Shovel Knight has come to this land with two goals: to defeat the evil Enchantress and quest for his lost beloved. He wields a Shovel Blade: a multipurpose we…

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86%

Audience ScoreBased on 506 reviews

music11 positive mentions

story2 negative mentions

Shovel Knight features brilliant game design, charming presentation, and a ton of content, making it a standout title in modern-retro gaming.
The game offers tight controls, an incredible soundtrack, and varied gameplay, providing a satisfying and memorable experience for players.
It successfully captures the essence of classic 8-bit platformers while introducing modern ideas, making it appealing to both nostalgic gamers and newcomers.

Some players may find the game challenging, which could be difficult for those not accustomed to retro platformers.
There are minor issues with cross-save functionality and a few bugs that can detract from the overall experience.
The game could have benefited from additional levels and features that were not implemented at launch.

music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is consistently praised for its incredible chiptune soundtrack, which enhances the overall experience and evokes a sense of nostalgia. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, complementing the game's charming graphics and engaging gameplay, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience. Overall, the music is described as both captivating and integral to the game's appeal.
- “Excellent controls, gorgeous graphics, an incredible soundtrack and endearing characters make the game worth playing, but top-notch level design, varied gameplay, hidden rooms, optional challenges and a deceptively rich combat system make it brilliantly memorable.”
- “Amazing chiptune soundtrack.”
- “Top-notch 8-bit graphics with one of the best chiptune soundtracks ever composed, incredibly satisfying 2D platform gameplay, plenty of extra content and replayability.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
29%
14%
The gameplay of the game is highly praised for its excellent controls, satisfying mechanics, and top-notch level design, which includes hidden rooms and optional challenges that enhance replayability. Players appreciate the gorgeous 8-bit graphics and an incredible soundtrack that complement the rewarding and challenging 2D platforming experience. However, some side quests and mechanics may disrupt the otherwise streamlined gameplay.
- “Excellent controls, gorgeous graphics, an incredible soundtrack and endearing characters make the game worth playing, but top-notch level design, varied gameplay, hidden rooms, optional challenges and a deceptively rich combat system make it brilliantly memorable.”
- “With some of the tightest controls and game mechanics I have seen in years, Shovel Knight acquires an excellence that I seldom experience in games nowadays, making this game a class act well worth the $15 price tag whether you get it on Wii U, 3DS, or Steam.”
- “The amazing soundtrack and rewarding gameplay will spur you on right to the end, and even then you'll probably want to go back for another round of smacking things in the face with a shovel.”
- “Certain side quests and mechanics within them are at odds with how streamlined the rest of the game is.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
17%
The graphics of the game are consistently praised for their gorgeous, 8-bit style that captures nostalgia while delivering vibrant animations and unique stage designs. Reviewers highlight the combination of stunning visuals and an exceptional chiptune soundtrack, contributing to an overall charming and immersive experience. The attention to detail in the graphics enhances the gameplay, making it both satisfying and memorable.
- “Excellent controls, gorgeous graphics, an incredible soundtrack and endearing characters make the game worth playing, but top-notch level design, varied gameplay, hidden rooms, optional challenges and a deceptively rich combat system make it brilliantly memorable.”
- “Top-notch 8-bit graphics with one of the best chiptune soundtracks ever composed, incredibly satisfying 2D platform gameplay, plenty of extra content and replayability.”
- “Oozes charm from every orifice, with wonderful graphics, animation, and music.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's story is characterized as charming and enhanced by a minimalist approach that provides surprising depth through brief text boxes. While the retro feel and amazing soundtrack contribute positively to the experience, some side quests and their mechanics feel inconsistent with the otherwise streamlined gameplay.
- “The charming story, combined with a nice retro feel, creates an engaging experience.”
- “Certain side quests and mechanics within them are at odds with how streamlined the rest of the game is.”
- “The minimalist story somehow gains reasonable depth through brief text boxes.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game offers high replayability due to its engaging 2D platform gameplay, abundant extra content, and appealing 8-bit graphics complemented by an exceptional chiptune soundtrack.
- “Top-notch 8-bit graphics with one of the best chiptune soundtracks ever composed, incredibly satisfying 2D platform gameplay, plenty of extra content and replayability.”
- “The game offers a variety of paths and choices that make each playthrough feel unique, enhancing its replayability.”
- “With multiple endings and unlockable characters, I find myself coming back to this game time and again for a fresh experience.”