A freaky solid mesh of ideas from classic nes games but even moreso Mega Man and Castlevania (for better or for worse(most of the time for the better tho trust)). With the use of modern capabilities for mechanics, fun upgrades, and an even more fun personality. Shovel Knight's lasting impact can be felt on the indie game scene was for good reason as this game still is damn good even when the indie game market has had 10 years to live up to its legacy. My personal issues stem from the last third of this games levels really fucking love pits, spikes, and all the nes era stuff that typically one shots you and I would've liked a bit more of a challenge on the bosses but they're still very well designed just easy to cheese with the gadgets.

It's a fun time still a landmark Indie game and one I loved revisiting especially since I noticed how proudly they showed their inspirations this time around. Excited to check out the other campaigns finally!

Buying this for $15 back when it launched on Wii U only to get essentially 4 brand new games as free updates is still the single greatest value I've experienced in gaming. Not to mention Shovel Knight was the game that introduced me to indie games, an interest of mine that wouldn't really hit it's stride (for me) until the Switch era.

The complete package will set you back $40 now, but that's still an absolute steal!

(PS: King of Cards is the best)

The Wii was my first console, so I didn't grow up with the classics, the Megamans and Castlevanias that in part inspired Shovel Knight. Though Shovel Knight does lovingly capture the nostalgic feel of those classics, I didn't need nostalgia in order to love this game.

While there are a great many indie games that take advantage of pixel art (often for its low cost and approachability, understandably), few are so dedicated to replicating how things used to look. As an example, the color pallette was mostly limited to that of the NES. It's a limitation that required developers to get creative with what they had, and it's that creativity that makes SK feel both authentically "retro" and gorgeous in its own right. Every character design is impeccable and memorable, each with a distinct silhouette, color scheme, and gimmick, not unlike the iconic "mascot" characters of old. Visually, the levels feel like extensions of the characters, sharing their color palettes and feeling distinct. Shovel Knight himself has limited movement and a short attack range, his signature mechanic being to "shovel bounce" on enemies and obstacles. The game is challenging. You'll die a lot, perhaps more than you might expect due to the risky checkpoint and moneybag-retrieval mechanics. And still, I consider it to have some of, if not THE best level design of any platformer. Every stage is a new theme with new obstacles that are paced and iterated on near-flawlessly. That's not to say you won't get stuck on or frustrated by some difficult sections, but it's always fair and so satisfying to overcome. The plot takes full advantage of what little time it has, focused much more on personality, emotion, and charm, rather than lore or exposition. The presentation takes a simple "save the princess" story and makes it feel engaging and personal. I have little to no affinity for retro game music, as I often find the repetition and sharpness of the sounds irksome. That said, the soundtrack is nothing short of masterful. Every single tune was endlessly catchy and elevated every level or event.

Though built on the backs of the classics, to me, Shovel Knight IS the classic. One of the greatest games ever made, bringing the best of the past and the present together to make something truly timeless and utterly memorable. For shovelry!

I have a complicated relationship with Shovel Knight, a cool and beautiful game that I mostly hated playing. Learning new levels is extremely annoying and tedious because failing a problem means redoing all the precise and technical rooms in the lead-up, compared to a game like Celeste which respawns players at the problem they’ve failed. There are RNG dependent platforming segments and enemy mechanics that will kill players who have otherwise mastered a run. The healing "ichor" doesn't refill between attempts of a level. There’s no “reset to last checkpoint” button. Some of the bosses feel poorly designed, particularly Plague Knight and Enchantress (sorta); Enchantress’s first phase is one of the best designed fights I’ve ever seen, but phase two is one of the worst (hint, bounce on Shield Knight TWICE to make sure you reach the hitbox!).

I'm an achievement hunter, but I know my limits. I was never going to 100% this game, because I knew I didn't actually like it from the moment I encountered Specter Knight. Instead, I set my goal (which I achieved) as 39/45 achievements—everything except challenge runs. This included doing things like completing a level without dying, killing a boss without taking damage, completing a level without collecting money, and completing a level with 20 or less attacks. I loved playing the game in this way, perfecting a set of actions I already knew for a special goal, and this grind constituted most of the fun I had with the game. Unfortunately, it also entailed completing NG+.

NG+ puts a microscope on all of Shovel Knight's flaws. There are fewer checkpoints, so every problem is made more tedious. Damage is doubled, so RNG and finicky mechanics are more punishing. There's almost no food, which I didn't really notice until I did, and then I REALLY noticed it. The Tower of Fate: Ascent on NG+ is home to probably the single hardest boss rush I've ever faced in my entire life. Worse, it demands the use of ichor from all except the most insane players, but if one fails they must repeat the entire level for a refill. I spent 4 straight hours bashing my head against the boss rush, making incremental improvements while mastering the leadup to the point where I could run through the entire level in a couple minutes without dying, and when I finally won I almost passed out and then I almost burst into tears.

I have a begrudged respect for Shovel Knight. At this point I think I’m a serviceably good player, and that I learnt and played the game to the extent I did says something. The art and character design are captivating. The writing is good if spartan; the scene that precedes “The End” made me smile every time I saw it (3). Completing this game on NG+ is probably one of my greatest gaming achievements considering the perseverance and skill required and the effect it had on me. If you’re someone who loves technical and punishing platformers, I’m sure you love Shovel Knight. But I don’t. I don’t even really like it, for the most part.