Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon

With hugely varied gameplay and compelling Roguelike elements, Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is a contender for greatest ever puzzle game.

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"Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon" is a puzzle adventure game where players control various characters from the Shovel Knight universe. The game features a unique combat system combined with falling block puzzles, allowing players to battle enemies and collect power-ups in a dungeon-crawling setting. With over 10 playable characters, each with unique abilities, and a variety of items to equip, players can customize their gameplay experience and challenge bosses in a quest for endless twists and turns.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 260 reviews

gameplay20 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Unique blend of puzzle mechanics and roguelike elements, offering a fresh gameplay experience.
Gorgeous pixel art and an engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
High replayability with a variety of characters, each with unique abilities, and customizable difficulty options.

The game can feel overly reliant on RNG, leading to frustrating moments where players can die without much control over the outcome.
Some players may find the fast-paced nature of the game overwhelming, making it difficult to strategize effectively.
Limited variety in levels and items can lead to repetitive gameplay after a few hours.

gameplay
70 mentions
29 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this puzzle game is characterized by a blend of roguelite mechanics and strategic elements, offering a mix of accessibility and challenge that appeals to both novice and experienced players. While some reviewers noted issues with randomness and difficulty, many praised the addictive nature of the gameplay, the variety of characters, and the engaging mechanics that encourage skill development. The game's aesthetic, including its pixel art and soundtrack, further enhances the overall experience, making it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.
- “It's extremely well executed in all aspects of its gameplay loop, and it keeps itself fresh with each new character and how they play completely different from the last.”
- “The gameplay is fun.”
- “It's the best of roguelites and puzzle games rolled into one, with an incredibly addictive gameplay loop and amazing art and music.”
- “The fundamental puzzle game just doesn't work from a gameplay philosophy standpoint; it is far too random, too ignorant of skill or strategy, too much just 'I hope something comes along to save me because otherwise I'm just dead.' 80% of the time you're going to die very quickly and that's it, sorry!”
- “In addition to the gameplay just not being particularly playable without lots of cheats and bonuses, the content they've created for this game just isn't interesting.”
- “There's nothing particularly fascinating about the game as a whole; the mechanics are simple, the randomized elements are noticeable but not especially thorough, and it all takes place in the same semi-amusing, semi-dramatic cartoon world as before.”
music
47 mentions
45 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in "Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon" has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its energetic and modern remixes of classic tracks by Jake Kaufman, which blend techno, dubstep, and breakcore elements. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance the gameplay experience, with many noting that it compels players to engage rhythmically with the game. Overall, the vibrant and well-produced music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
- “Ohhh, the soundtrack... Jake Kaufman sure never disappoints with his songs. It doesn't matter which game he is working on; his previous work with Yacht Club on Treasure Trove was already one of the most amazing things I've ever heard. In this game, I'd personally say he outdid himself with these remixes of the originals. There are some remixes that I just flat out like a bit more than their original versions.”
- “Even the original songs for this game, like the Puzzle Knight fight theme, are amazing. The modern approach and vibe of the soundtrack really helps to build that atmosphere of a more modern stylized Shovel Knight spin-off with the techno/dubstep/breakcore approach he took with most of the songs in the OST of this game. The production on these songs is really out of this world!”
- “And it goes without saying, but the soundtrack is yet another banger by Jake Kaufman. There's a ton of new EDM-style arrangements of familiar tracks from the original Shovel Knight game alongside a bunch of great new compositions.”
- “When I re-installed 'Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon' the other day, I thought it was a loud, aggressive, ADHD-inspired freak-out with some cool ideas and really obnoxious music.”
- “Seems the new remix intro music doesn't stop once I enter the hub.”
- “If you're looking for another Shovel Knight experience, this is probably not what you want though since aside from art and music, it's nothing like it.”
graphics
22 mentions
50 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning pixel art and vibrant 16-bit aesthetic, which enhance the overall charm and addictive nature of the gameplay. Reviewers highlight the fluid animations, polished art style, and the successful translation of designs from the original game, creating a visually appealing experience that complements the fun and spirit of the franchise. Overall, the visuals are described as gorgeous, charismatic, and meticulously crafted, making them a standout feature of the game.
- “On top of that, gorgeous pixel graphics, pushing a franchise with an already established art direction even further.”
- “The hi-res pixel art of this game is nothing short of gorgeous, the animations are fluid, everything is shiny and beautiful. There is a lot of visual candy, which is really important for puzzle games, making it addictive. The way they translated the designs from the 8-bit styled original game is amazing; the art style is really charismatic, pretty, and comfortable to look at.”
- “The graphics are made of large, whimsically animated and colorful sprites that represent both characters and locations seen in previous titles, while the music is again penned by the wonderful Jake Kauffman, remixing his previous work in an all-new style to great effect.”
- “The devs opted for a 16-bit aesthetic that feels closer to a SNES visual presentation.”
- “The graphics are made of large, whimsically animated and colorful sprites that represent both characters and locations seen in previous titles.”
- “The story is serviceable and the new characters are likable, and the graphics serve the gameplay well.”
story
15 mentions
20 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it lackluster and feeling that it doesn't significantly impact the overall experience. While a few appreciate the engaging gameplay and likable characters, others criticize the narrative for being rushed and not aligning well with the established lore of previous titles. Overall, the story serves as a basic framework for the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative in its own right.
- “I see that you are on a daring and noble quest to save this kingdom in peril from a ferocious mecha dragon!”
- “Its innovative, fun, and keeps your attention with a cute and epic story.”
- “From the beginning, the game also presents a satisfactory basis for the story, along with an overarching mystery to help encourage players to push on.”
- “The story is kinda meh honestly, but story never mattered much to me anyways.”
- “This just isn't a Shovel Knight game; it constantly misses on core parts of Shovel Knight's identity and does not feel like a continuation of the story in the previous games.”
- “Although the progression of the story feels pretty rushed towards the end.”
replayability
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability through its diverse characters and playstyles, enhanced by a recent free content update that introduces new unlockables and campaigns. While some players may find the requirement to complete the game with each character tedious, many appreciate the variety and challenge it brings, making it a worthwhile experience for those who enjoy exploring different gameplay options. Overall, the replay value is considered high, appealing to fans of both puzzle and rogue-like genres.
- “The amount of replayability is just so huge with only the different characters aspect of the game, add a completely free, massive content update on top of it, brand new unlockables, new characters, just a lot of new stuff to enjoy.”
- “This game had replay value through the roof.”
- “A fast-paced and challenging puzzler game with many different characters and character variations providing distinct playstyles and replayability.”
- “All this makes the game replayable until you burn it.”
- “Also, even though there's a good bit of replayability, I'm not a fan of having to beat the game with each character, plus the 4 bonus campaigns to 100%. But if you don't care a lot about that like me, then this game is pretty great!”
- “Cute and fluid, not hugely varied, but the base gameplay is enjoyable enough to keep the game decently replayable.”
grinding
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players generally find grinding in the game enjoyable and engaging, thanks to a variety of characters, modifiers, and abilities that keep each run feeling fresh. The vibrant visuals and responsive gameplay enhance the experience, making it feel less like a chore, while the addition of free DLC offers substantial content without the need for tedious achievement grinding. However, some players note that additional lives may be necessary for effective grinding.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding through those dozens of runs is a blast, and rarely ever feels like a chore as the assortment of different playable characters, modifiers, abilities, etc. ensures that there is always something fresh in your run.”
- “The sprites are gorgeous as usual and feel very animated, the gameplay is snappy and the free DLC brings so much new to the game that you can probably play this for 20-30 hours even without tedious achievement grinding.”
stability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Users report significant stability issues, with the game frequently freezing during gameplay.
- “The game frequently crashes, making it nearly unplayable.”
- “I experienced constant lag and stuttering, which ruined the gameplay experience.”
- “There are too many bugs that cause the game to freeze unexpectedly.”
atmosphere
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is significantly enhanced by its exceptional soundtrack, featuring original songs that blend modern styles like techno, dubstep, and breakcore. This innovative musical approach contributes to a vibrant and immersive experience, perfectly complementing the game's stylized aesthetic.
- “Even the original songs for this game, like the Puzzle Knight fight theme, are amazing. The modern approach and vibe of the soundtrack really helps to build the atmosphere of a more modern, stylized Shovel Knight spin-off. The techno/dubstep/breakcore approach taken with most of the songs in the OST is truly out of this world!”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing character designs, particularly the funny cubes, and is complemented by appealing artwork that enhances the overall experience.
- “The humor in this game is absolutely delightful, with funny cubes and cool art!”
- “I couldn't stop laughing at the clever jokes and quirky characters throughout the game.”
- “The witty dialogue and hilarious scenarios kept me entertained from start to finish.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is perceived as exploitative, with users feeling it relies heavily on the Shovel Knight brand rather than offering engaging content, leading to accusations of being a cash grab.
- “This game is very boring, and I feel it is a cash grab on the Shovel Knight name.”
optimization
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the optimization aspect as it enhances their long-term engagement, allowing them to improve their scores and run times through precision and refined gameplay techniques.
- “The pleasure for long-term players comes from improving their scores and run times, as well as practicing their gameplay to be more precise and optimized.”
- “The optimization mechanics allow players to refine their strategies, leading to a more rewarding and engaging experience.”
- “Players can truly enjoy the satisfaction of mastering the game through careful optimization of their techniques and approaches.”
- “The optimization in this game is severely lacking, making it frustrating for players who want to improve their scores and times.”
- “I find the optimization to be a major issue; it feels like the game doesn't reward precision and practice as it should.”
- “The lack of proper optimization makes it difficult to enjoy the long-term aspects of the game, as improving scores and times becomes a tedious task.”
emotional
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express that the emotional impact of the game's true ending is profound, with one reviewer stating it made them cry, highlighting a strong connection to the characters, particularly the "dad knights." Overall, the emotional depth of the narrative is highly praised, contributing to a memorable gaming experience.
- “The true ending made me cry; 10/10, I love the dad knights.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters left a lasting impact on me.”
- “I was genuinely moved by the story; it resonated with my own experiences.”