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.

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Play Modes

Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 542 reviews

gameplay47 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon offers a unique blend of puzzle and roguelike mechanics, providing a fresh and engaging gameplay experience.
The game features beautiful pixel art and a fantastic soundtrack, enhancing the overall charm and enjoyment.
There is a high level of replayability due to the variety of unlockable characters, each with unique abilities, and customizable difficulty options.

The game can feel overly reliant on RNG, leading to frustrating moments where players may die due to bad luck rather than skill.
Some players find the gameplay too fast-paced, making it difficult to strategize effectively, which can detract from the puzzle-solving experience.
The content may feel limited after a few hours, with some players expressing a desire for more variety in levels and items.

gameplay
152 mentions
31 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Shovel Knight: Pocket Dungeon" is characterized by a blend of puzzle and roguelite mechanics, offering a fast-paced, addictive experience that rewards skill and strategy. While some players find the difficulty to be frustratingly random, many appreciate the extensive customization options that allow for varying levels of challenge, making it accessible to both novices and seasoned players. The game features beautiful pixel art, a catchy soundtrack, and a variety of unlockable characters, contributing to its replayability and overall enjoyment.
- “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.”
- “It's the best of roguelites and puzzle games rolled into one, with an incredibly addictive gameplay loop and amazing art and music.”
- “Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is a wonderful spin-off that combines block-falling puzzle and roguelite mechanics in remarkably clever ways, resulting in yet another excellent entry in the Shovel Knight series.”
- “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 from before.”
music
98 mentions
45 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
3 % 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 music is described as 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 help to build the 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
48 mentions
50 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning pixel art and fluid animations, capturing a charming 16-bit aesthetic reminiscent of classic SNES titles. Reviewers highlight the vibrant and whimsical character designs, as well as the cohesive visual style that enhances the overall gameplay experience. The art direction not only pays homage to the franchise's roots but also adds a fresh and charismatic touch, making it visually appealing and addictive.
- “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 have a really nice and consistent style to them; they definitely feel very thoroughly crafted.”
- “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
32 mentions
9 % positive mentions
81 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally viewed as mediocre, with some players finding it unimportant compared to gameplay, while others appreciate its engaging elements and likable characters. Although it serves as a prequel to Shovel Knight and features a satisfying conclusion, many feel it lacks the depth and continuity expected from the series. The narrative progression is noted to be rushed, particularly towards the end, but it does provide an overarching mystery that keeps players motivated.
- “I see that you are on a daring and noble quest to save this kingdom in peril from a ferocious mecha dragon!”
- “Little did I know that the gameplay loop would be very engaging, tons of characters to play, and an overall story that is not only a canon prequel to Shovel Knight, but has one of the best final bosses in the series, and one of the best conclusions in a video game.”
- “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
24 mentions
29 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by a diverse cast of characters, each offering unique playstyles, and a variety of difficulty options. Players can enjoy extensive content through free updates, including new unlockables and campaigns, making it appealing for those who appreciate depth and challenge. While some may find the requirement to complete the game with each character tedious, the overall experience remains engaging and enjoyable.
- “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.”
- “A fast-paced and challenging puzzler game with many different characters and character variations providing distinct playstyles and replayability.”
- “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.”
- “High intensity, combat-driven gameplay, oodles of replayability, a cute art style, and a surprising amount of depth make this one a ridiculously easy recommendation.”
grinding
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect enjoyable and engaging, as the variety of characters, modifiers, and abilities keeps each run feeling fresh and exciting. The game's vibrant visuals and responsive gameplay further enhance the experience, making it possible to enjoy 20-30 hours of content without the grind feeling tedious. However, some players note that extensive grinding may require significant time investment.
- “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 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
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Users report significant stability issues, particularly noting that the "freeze hammer" feature frequently causes the game to freeze.
- “The game frequently freezes, making it unplayable at times.”
- “I experience constant freezing issues that disrupt my gameplay.”
- “The freezing problem is so severe that I can't progress in the game.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is significantly enhanced by its modern soundtrack, which features a unique blend of techno, dubstep, and breakcore elements. The high-quality production and original compositions, such as the puzzle knight fight theme, contribute to a vibrant and immersive experience that aligns well with the stylized nature of the Shovel Knight spin-off.
- “The original songs for this game, like the Puzzle Knight fight theme, are amazing. The modern approach and vibe of the soundtrack really help to build the atmosphere of a more modern, stylized Shovel Knight spin-off with the techno/dubstep/breakcore approach. The production on these songs is truly out of this world!”
humor
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing cube characters and appealing art style, which contribute to an overall lighthearted and entertaining experience.
- “The game features funny cubes and cool art!”
- “The humor in the game is delightful and adds a unique charm.”
- “I love the quirky characters and their hilarious interactions!”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with users expressing disappointment in its lack of engaging content and reliance on the Shovel Knight brand.
- “This game is very boring, and I feel it is a cash grab on the Shovel Knight name.”
optimization
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the optimization aspect of the game as it allows for improved scores and faster run times, encouraging long-term engagement through practice and precision.
- “The pleasure for long-term players will be improving their scores and run times, as well as practicing their gameplay to be more precise and optimized.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players have expressed that the emotional impact of the game's true ending is profound, with many reporting that it brought them to tears, highlighting a strong connection to the characters, particularly the "dad knights." Overall, the emotional resonance of the narrative has been rated highly, with some users giving it a perfect score.
- “The true ending made me cry; 10/10, I love dad knights.”