Shovel Knight Dig

Shovel Knight Dig is beautiful with great music and fits right into the franchise, even though it switches things up from the 2D platformer we are used to. It is an incredibly addictive game that is full of replayability!

72%Game Brain Score

music, gameplay

replayability, grinding

72% User Score Based on 538 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 27 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $24.99

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About

"Shovel Knight Dig" is a fast-paced platforming game where players dig deep into the earth in a quest to uncover relics and treasures. As the titular Shovel Knight, players will face off against enemies and bosses in frenetic side-scrolling combat while avoiding treacherous traps and hazards. With procedurally generated levels, each playthrough offers a unique challenge.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 538 reviews

music102 positive mentions

replayability6 negative mentions

The game features beautiful pixel art and an engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
The gameplay combines elements of Shovel Knight with roguelike mechanics, providing a fun and challenging experience.
The character designs and interactions are charming, adding depth to the game's world.

The game is relatively short, with many players completing it in just a few hours, leading to concerns about replayability.
The difficulty can feel inconsistent, with some runs being overly punishing due to RNG elements and enemy placements.
Many players feel that the upgrades and items lack impact, making progression feel less rewarding.

music
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
23%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising Jake Kaufman's soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. While some noted that it may not reach the heights of previous titles in the series, the catchy and engaging tracks are consistently described as enjoyable and fitting for the game's aesthetic. Overall, the music is considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's appeal despite some mixed feelings about other gameplay elements.
- “The music is fantastic as always, courtesy of Jake Kaufman, the GOAT who did Shantae's music, and unlike Treasure Trove, he doesn't have to limit his music to chiptune here; he really lets loose and it slaps.”
- “The music and presentation are absolutely top notch.”
- “The soundtrack is really good too.”
- “The soundtrack is a bit simple, especially if you go around a few runs and starts to become repetitive.”
- “I will say the graphics and music are great, but this is a total let down for fans of Shovel Knight or anyone looking for a roguelike fix after Rogue Legacy 2.”
- “And for that price is not worth it, a very shallow roguelike, it has some issues with the controls and the camera battles against you at times, Shovel Knight controls weird, it feels more clunky than the original game, the music and visual design are very very good, maybe I'm biased because I like Nitrome, so a good game for 10 bucks, for more you are better just getting Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove.”
gameplay
135 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
58%
5%
The gameplay of "Shovel Knight Dig" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its solid mechanics and satisfying core loop reminiscent of the original "Shovel Knight," while others criticize its execution, particularly in terms of level design and the integration of roguelike elements. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals and music, but some find the gameplay frustrating due to issues like unfair mechanics and a lack of variety in runs. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable moments and a familiar feel, it struggles with balance and depth, leaving some players wanting more.
- “The original Shovel Knight was, gameplay-wise, meticulously crafted to be an amazing experience where the player is in control with regards to the mechanics of the game.”
- “The gameplay is fun, the soundtrack is great, and the art is fantastic.”
- “The gameplay revolves around going digging down to rescue your treasure.”
- “However, from a gameplay perspective, this title falls far short.”
- “While the core mechanic is solid, it has some issues; the camera isn't well implemented, as well as the generated levels lack a bit of excitement.”
- “The procedurally generated environment completely botches your sense of progression and doesn't properly introduce you to level-specific mechanics, burdened thoroughly by a poorly-aimed camera you can't change and the complete inability to process your surroundings without an instant threat of death.”
graphics
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
26%
4%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beautiful artwork and vibrant 16-bit aesthetic, which many reviewers feel is a natural evolution from the original 8-bit style of the Shovel Knight series. Players appreciate the stunning visuals and varied level designs, noting that the graphics are a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. While some critiques mention a lack of polish compared to previous titles, the general consensus is that the game's art style and animation are top-notch, contributing significantly to its charm and appeal.
- “The visuals are a great, natural extension of the original's style.”
- “As expected from Nitrome, the graphics are absolutely stunning.”
- “The graphics are great, the music is great, and the gameplay is great.”
- “The graphics style is interesting, but lacks a bit of the polish of both the original and Pocket Dungeon.”
- “While the plot, graphics, lore, and gameplay aren't as good as the absolutely spectacular Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, that's an impossibly high mark to hit.”
- “Ultimately, as much as I love the art style, the music, and the storytelling style of the Shovel Knight games, this one ultimately wasn't for me.”
story
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
73%
5%
The story in the latest installment of the Shovel Knight series has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it underwhelming compared to previous titles. While some appreciate its whimsical charm and engaging moments, others criticize the dialogue for being repetitive and the overall narrative for lacking depth and character development. Overall, the game is seen as fun and visually appealing, but it falls short in delivering a compelling story experience.
- “The story hints at larger stakes while still having plenty of its usual carefree and goofy charms, like how the bosses will often appear at your camp after you beat them.”
- “The story, while relatively simple, is charming all the same, with a simple goal to retrieve your stolen money from the dastardly Drill Knight, clearly leading into the original Treasure Trove package should you face the true ending.”
- “I love Shovel Knight for the story and Dig has got to be one of my favorite games YCG has ever put out based on the story alone, second only to Specter of Torment - but it's like, a close second.”
- “The story feels like an afterthought and the dialogue is just serviceable; expect to read the exchange between the main character and the first few bosses over and over, because nobody bothered to write more than a few sentences of pre-fight dialogue, but the game doesn't skip these lines either, so you have to mash through it every time.”
- “The story is also pretty cut and dry; it starts and ends relatively quickly, which is odd for a game being a roguelike.”
- “This game is meant to be a prequel, but it barely explains the character motivations, there's little to no character development, and their personalities are just not very well explored; the story itself feels kind of bland, unlike the previous titles.”
replayability
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
68%
21%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting a lack of substantial unlockables and post-game content, which diminishes long-term engagement. While some appreciate the unique room variations and charm, others find the experience too short and repetitive, leading to limited replay value. Despite its roguelike mechanics, the consensus suggests that it falls short compared to other titles in the genre, making it hard to justify its price for the amount of content offered.
- “The sprite work is fabulous and the control scheme seems to be the same as the original Shovel Knight; there is plenty of replayability even after you complete most of the game.”
- “Excellent roguelike platformer with tons of replayability and charm.”
- “The hand-crafted set pieces mixed around by RNG give this game a lot of replay value.”
- “And with that, we begin to see the issue with this game, the replay value is minimal.”
- “The game is very short, and doesn't have much replay value.”
- “But at its current price, it's hard for me to recommend a 3-hour experience for $25, and with no post-game run modifiers, there's no replay value outside of achievement hunting which just isn't my bag.”
grinding
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
93%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, with many expressing that the effort required to unlock items and achieve the true ending feels unrewarding. The high costs for upgrades and the lack of meaningful progression contribute to a sense of artificial longevity, making the grinding experience more of a chore than an enjoyable part of gameplay. Overall, the grinding is seen as overly pressured and lacking in payoff, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding for gems doesn't seem worth your time, since you have no direct progression by unlocking items.”
- “The true ending itself is very cryptic, tedious, and stupidly frustrating to get, and it can be really frustrating having a run go bad 3/4ths of the way in because of a small mistake.”
- “Unlocking new items feels unnecessarily grindy for how little they add to the game, and the constantly scaling prices for accessories and relic keys feel more discouraging than anything.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while many praise the stunning character designs, animations, and overall art direction, some critics note a lack of depth in character motivations and personality exploration, particularly for key figures like Shovel Knight and Shield Knight. The game excels in providing engaging mechanics and replayability through varied character builds, but it falls short in delivering a compelling narrative that fully develops its characters. Overall, the aesthetic appeal is highlighted, but the emotional and narrative depth is seen as lacking compared to previous titles in the series.
- “Most roguelites extend replayability with lots of variety in character builds, giving the player permanent upgrades that can be set against increasing challenges, and ongoing character development.”
- “The character design for the new knights is some of the best in the series.”
- “The art is absolutely gorgeous, the character designs are cute, and the animations and colors are beautiful.”
- “This game is meant to be a prequel, but it barely explains the character motivations, there's little to no character development, and their personalities are just not very well explored (especially Shovel and Shield); the story in itself feels kind of bland, unlike the previous titles.”
- “Most roguelites extend replayability with lots of variety in character builds, giving the player permanent upgrades that can be set against increasing challenges, and ongoing character development; this game fails to deliver on those aspects.”
- “While the character designs are cute, the lack of depth in character development leaves much to be desired, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
88%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing significant glitches and soft-locks that hinder gameplay, particularly during critical runs. While a few users report improvements and fewer issues compared to the launch, others still encounter random bugs that disrupt their experience. Overall, stability remains a concern, with varying experiences depending on individual play sessions.
- “The game looks great, runs smoothly, has a fantastic soundtrack, and offers enough content to keep you entertained for hours.”
- “I appreciate how stable the game is; I haven't encountered any crashes or major bugs during my playtime.”
- “The performance is impressive, with consistent frame rates and no noticeable lag, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
- “It's very glitchy, to the point that you will probably have several runs that glitches prevent you from completing.”
- “The game also seems a bit buggy still.”
- “There's some glitches that can soft lock your game.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its addictive nature and consistently funny characters, with creative and entertaining writing that delivers a mix of goofy and clever humor. However, some players feel that certain humorous elements can come off as cheap or forced. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Very addictive game and funny!!!”
- “The characters are still very funny.”
- “The writing is also funny, creative, entertaining.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a powerful and intense experience, evoking a wide range of feelings from heart-wrenching to euphoric. Players highlight the impactful storytelling and character dynamics, particularly between Shovel Knight and Shield Knight, which contribute to moments of genuine connection and excitement. The music, especially tracks like "who needs honor," further enhances the emotional depth, leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “I guess it's because of how difficult it is, but hardly any game made me feel excited for a good ending this much.”
- “The dialogue and dynamic between Shovel Knight and Shield Knight is really wholesome and cute, making me always look forward to seeing her appear on the surface.”
- “"Who Needs Honor" made me cry listening to it for the first time, and it's the best track I've heard in an OST for a long time.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised for smooth performance and excellent Linux compatibility, aligning well with previous titles. However, some players note issues with the mobile screen optimization, which can lead to a cramped viewing area and off-screen enemy attacks, while others experience minor stuttering on devices like the Steam Deck.
- “Performance is very smooth, and its compatibility with Linux is outstanding.”
- “Optimization is on par with the previously released titles, so you know what you're getting.”
- “The screen optimization for mobile devices makes this game feel too zoomed in, as enemies can hit you from off-screen with little chance to react, and the tiny viewing area limits level complexity.”
- “Optimization is on-par with the previously released titles, so you know what you're getting.”
- “A screen optimized for mobile devices makes this game feel too zoomed in; enemies will hit you from off-screen with little chance to react, and the tiny viewing area limits level complexity.”
- “I'm playing it on Steam Deck and it is running good, aside from a bit of stuttering. I feel like the price is a little steep though.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere of *Shovel Knight Dig* retains the beloved 2D aesthetic of the original game while enhancing it with a more vibrant and colorful palette, creating an engaging visual experience that resonates with fans.
- “Visually, Shovel Knight Dig sustains that familiar 2D atmosphere of the Shovel Knight brand, but it is far more colorful.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its vibrant world.”
- “Every level is filled with unique details that enhance the overall atmosphere, making exploration a joy.”