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Shovel Knight

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a comprehensive series collection that's right at home on the Nintendo Switch.
Shovel Knight Game Cover
94%Game Brain Score
music, gameplay
grinding, stability
96% User Score Based on 19,114 reviews
Critic Score 90%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

Playstation 3Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 4XboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStationPlaystation VitaLinuxXbox Series X|SPCWii UTabletNintendo 3dsMac OSPhoneWiiXbox One
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Shovel Knight Game Cover

About

Shovel Knight is a single player and multiplayer 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 critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a fantasy action game that offers multiple gameplay experiences. The full edition includes the Shovel of Hope story campaign, playable with a friend in co-op mode, and three additional games featuring Plague Knight, Specter Knight, and King Knight. Showdown mode allows up to four players to battle each other, and Body Swap mode offers a unique twist to the game. With a myriad of challenge modes and the chance to uphold the virtues of Shovelry, Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove provides a complete and satisfying gameplay experience."

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Shovel Knight screenshot
Shovel Knight screenshot
Shovel Knight screenshot
Shovel Knight screenshot
Shovel Knight screenshot
Shovel Knight screenshot
Shovel Knight screenshot
Shovel Knight screenshot
Shovel Knight screenshot
Shovel Knight screenshot
Shovel Knight screenshot
+13
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96%
Audience ScoreBased on 19,114 reviews
music2.9k positive mentions
grinding94 negative mentions
  • music
    4,508 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in *Shovel Knight* is widely praised for its exceptional quality, with many reviewers highlighting its catchy chiptune soundtrack composed by Jake Kaufman and Manami Matsumae. The soundtrack not only evokes nostalgia for classic 8-bit games but also enhances the gameplay experience, with each level featuring unique and memorable tracks that perfectly complement the game's aesthetic and atmosphere. Overall, the music is considered one of the standout features of the game, contributing significantly to its charm and appeal.

    • “Excellent platforming, amazingly designed stages, some of the best music a game could have.”
    • “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 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 only thing I don't like is that the music is a little old... I know that's the point, and a lot of people feel nostalgic for that sort of thing, but personally it grinds against my eardrums a little.”
  • gameplay
    3,998 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Shovel Knight" is widely praised for its tight controls, engaging mechanics, and clever level design that draws inspiration from classic 8-bit platformers like Mega Man and DuckTales. Each of the four campaigns offers unique gameplay styles and mechanics, 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 balances nostalgia with modern design sensibilities, providing a rewarding and challenging platforming experience.

    • “The fact that when you buy this you're buying 4 fully fledged campaigns all with the same length but completely different and equally interesting and fun mechanics is insanity in this day and age.”
    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, the stories and writing are great, the music is incredible, and the achievements are good.”
    • “With pits that insta kill you (not to mention enemies placed in terrible places occasionally that require almost perfect placement or you fall), loss of coin mechanic and no in level full saves.”
    • “But the gameplay... leaves much to be desired.”
    • “I know this game is meant to be hard, but instakill spikes and pits may be the most frustrating mechanic ever.”
  • story
    3,164 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Shovel Knight" is generally described as simple yet charming, revolving around the titular knight's quest to rescue his beloved, Shield Knight, from the evil Enchantress and her Order of No Quarter. Each of the game's four campaigns—featuring different characters like Plague Knight and Specter Knight—offers unique narratives that add depth and humor, with some players noting the emotional weight and surprising twists in the storytelling. While the overarching plot may feel familiar, the engaging character interactions and well-crafted dialogue enhance the experience, making it a standout in the platforming genre.

    • “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!”
    • “I honestly didn't get much nostalgia from it, and I didn't like the storyline or aesthetic.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics
    1,900 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    • “The graphics really nailed retro 8-bit in the best sense; colorful, vibrant, detailed, and immersive.”
    • “The graphics are incredibly good and use the 8-bit style in a very creative way, with vibrant colors and amazing animations.”
    • “The graphics, music, and gameplay are all flawless!”
    • “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
    578 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for being charming, clever, and well-integrated into the narrative, enhancing the overall experience without feeling forced. Players appreciate the quirky character interactions, witty dialogue, and lighthearted puns that contribute to a fun atmosphere, often leading to genuine laughter. While some moments may lean towards juvenile humor, the balance of comedic elements with deeper themes keeps the storytelling engaging and enjoyable.

    • “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
    450 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Shovel Knight is widely praised for its high replayability, offering numerous campaigns, a challenging new game+ mode, and a wealth of achievements that encourage players to revisit the game. The inclusion of multiple characters, secrets, and collectibles further enhances its replay value, making it appealing for completionists and casual players alike. Overall, players find the game endlessly engaging, with many citing it as a modern classic in terms of replayability.

    • “I finished the main quest in about 7 hours, but there are 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 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.”
    • “But for what it is and for the sparse content and the very limited replayability (and because it's already rather old), the game is far too overpriced, and this is also the main reason why I honestly can't recommend it.”
    • “Sure, there's a new game+ mode, and a DLC game mode called Plague of Shadows, as well as a challenge mode, but overall, the replayability is limited in this game.”
    • “The game doesn't have a lot of replayability due to most of the sub weapons being useless and not enough sidequests or content to keep you busy.”
  • emotional
    176 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Shovel Knight" is highlighted by its heartfelt storytelling and character-driven narratives, which resonate deeply with players of all ages. Each campaign features touching moments, clever character development, and a blend of humor and sincerity that enhances the overall experience, often leading to emotional responses from players, including tears at poignant moments. The game's retro aesthetic and engaging gameplay further amplify its emotional impact, making it a standout title in the indie gaming landscape.

    • “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 so well written, tied together with emotionally charged and beautifully composed music.”
    • “The ending and the constant saving of Shield Knight in dreams made enough of an impact to keep me interested and emotionally engaged in the game, which just added that one more layer that it needed as a creative and interesting game.”
  • grinding
    104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game receives mixed feedback, with some players finding it enjoyable and integral to mastering mechanics, while others describe it as tedious and frustrating, particularly during repetitive sections or when pursuing completionist goals. Many reviews highlight that while grinding can be necessary for upgrades or currency, it often detracts from the overall experience, especially in later levels where difficulty spikes. Overall, the grinding can feel rewarding for some, but may lead to exhaustion and annoyance for others.

    • “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...”
    • “It starts off good and I like the art and music, but after that it becomes pretty much just tediousness.”
  • atmosphere
    92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its perfect blend of beautiful visuals, engaging music, and nostalgic charm, effectively capturing the essence of classic 16-bit games while feeling fresh and modern. Each level features a unique and immersive atmosphere, enhanced by a memorable soundtrack that complements the gameplay and encourages exploration. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as lighthearted, humorous, and captivating, making it a standout aspect despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics.

    • “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.”
    • “Jake Kaufman's chiptune masterpieces fit the atmosphere of every level and scene perfectly, lending an almost immersive quality to exploring a flying ship, climbing a hostile tower, and watching fish-fruit hybrids do synchronized aquatic dance.”
    • “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
    90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as limited, particularly in the base game "Shovel of Hope," which is criticized for its lack of world-building and depth. However, subsequent campaigns, especially "Specter Knight," are praised for offering more substantial character arcs and engaging storylines, showcasing a notable improvement in character development. Overall, while the character designs are consistently celebrated for their creativity and appeal, the depth of character development varies significantly across different game modes.

    • “The character development is so amazing.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “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
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many players experiencing smooth performance and solid frame rates, particularly on capable systems. However, some users report inconsistent performance issues, suggesting that optimization may vary depending on individual hardware setups. While the game captures the nostalgic feel of classic titles, certain aspects, like keybind customization, have been criticized for lacking optimization.

    • “Does a great job of capturing the feeling of the old 8/16 bit console days without sacrificing on performance or playability.”
    • “The game devs had speed running in mind with some thoughtful optimization to the stages as well as 'linked achievements' for each of the campaigns (finish in less than 90 minutes).”
    • “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.”
    • “To top all that off, for some reason there are some serious performance issues on my rig, too.”
    • “Baffling, weird performance issues.”
  • stability
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many users reporting a solid performance across various platforms, including PC and Steam Deck, and minimal to no glitches. However, some players have experienced occasional freezing and specific glitches in certain levels, indicating that while the game is mostly stable, there are still some issues that could affect gameplay.

    • “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
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game has been positively received, with players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and the return to a more traditional approach where in-game currency is earned through gameplay. The use of Kickstarter for funding is also viewed favorably, as it allows for effective project promotion while maintaining player trust. Overall, the game's monetization strategy is seen as a refreshing throwback to classic gaming practices.

    • “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?)”
    • “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?).”
    • “Kickstarters are a great way to fund a project while advertising your project to wider audiences.”
    • “I love that Yacht Club adds free DLC to Shovel Knight first with Plague Knight and next with Specter Knight in April.”
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90%Critics’ scoreBased on 9 critic reviews
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15h Median play time
34h Average play time
8-40h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 58 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Shovel Knight is a platformer game with fantasy and comedy themes.

Shovel Knight is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 34 hours playing Shovel Knight.

Shovel Knight was released on June 26, 2014.

Shovel Knight was developed by Yacht Club Games.

Shovel Knight has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its grinding.

Shovel Knight is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Shovel Knight, Infernax, A Hat in Time, Khimera: Destroy all Monster Girls, Freedom Planet and others.