Shovel Knight is a solid modern tribute to retro 2D precision platformers. You progress across the world via a Super Mario World-esque style world map where each level introduces new sets of enemies and obstacles to overcome. The main game is short but I'd rather that than long padded out games. It delivers something new from start to finish and leaves you with a positive experience. It offers up a challenge but with plenty of save states and checkpoints, it's very forgiving. You can choose to destroy the checkpoints for more coin with the risk of respawning further back if you die so you can set more of a challenge for yourself that way if you wish.

My one criticism, and I don't know why this kept happening, but the special attack would randomly switch to something else upon every respawn. Many times thinking I've still got the dash sword equipped, go to dash over a gap and he tosses out the freckin fishing rod, urgh.