21.2.2016

Shovel Knight is a game crammed with passion, creativity, humour... and shovels. Yacht Club Games have made one of the most fun video games in recent years. Whilst it's easy to see the game's retro influences, it is more than a nostalgia trip as Shovel Knight takes its lessons from the past whilst managing to dig out its own form of gaming brilliance.Even the basic controls, visuals and sound are enough to make other games covet thy neighbour's shovel. You feel in total control at all times and every challenge feels fair, regardless of its difficulty. The game has a steady progression throughout each stage and keeps its levels fresh, fun and oh so colourful. Along with the explorative areas like villages,

29.1.2018

The most fun I've had with a retro inspired game hands down is this one.Its a shame its still obscure to most but this a game made by fans of games gone by for gamers.The writing is great and the opening sets up a good tale with all characters from bosses to npcs feeling distinct and unique. Which is how each level feels too. With their own gimmicks and enemies.This is a platformer inspired by retro games from the 8 bit era from Mario, mega man, ducktales, Zelda and more.Easily my favourite soundtrack from the last gen of games. The compositions are enjoyably kinetic and set the mood of a level instantly.For the price (paid £15) this is a fantastic game to own.

4.6.2016

Amazing game!It's a retro-style 2-d platformer, in the 8-bit style of a SNES/Nes game.Pros:+Interesting and diverse levels and environments+Fantastic music+Great boss battles+Good replay value+Free expansion pack [Download]+All over fun and enjoyable game, also well suited to the 3ds.Cons: [Not many I assure you]*-Control scheme:* Good for the most part, but your character [Shovel knight] has special abilities [Throwing energy balls, a big metal fist etc etc..]And instead of mapping it to one of he face buttons, like the x or y buttons which were't otherwise in use, you have to press down and B at the same time to use these abilities. This was a little tricky and often ended up in my frustrating demise.I guess it was to emulate a retro controller,

29.1.2018

The most fun I've had with a retro inspired game hands down is this one.Its a shame its still obscure to most but this a game made by fans of games gone by for gamers.The writing is great and the opening sets up a good tale with all characters from bosses to npcs feeling distinct and unique. Which is how each level feels too. With their own gimmicks and enemies.This is a platformer inspired by retro games from the 8 bit era from Mario, mega man, ducktales, Zelda and more.Easily my favourite soundtrack from the last gen of games. The compositions are enjoyably kinetic and set the mood of a level instantly.For the price (paid £15) this is a fantastic game to own.

31.1.2021

This is the first time I’ve ever played shovel knight and wow I was definitely missing out it is a great 2D game it has great graphics and even has a little story to it I heard it was actually made originally to be a joke a knight with a shovel but it took off when released and it’s be loved by gamers ever since this game includes five shovel knight games so you’ve got hour after hour after hour of pour great game play just in this one game the colours graphics and controls are great and I have become a big fan of shovel knight now once you start this game it becomes very addictive it can also be quite challenging from one level to the next so good if you enjoy a challenge it looks brilliant

11.2.2016

This is such a wonderful retro-style side-scrolling game. It is highly addictive, although it is easy enough to put down and pick back up.The graphics are very much in the style of the late eighties/ early nineties, as is the soundtrack. The gameplay is very much of that era too - it's not the easiest game at first, but once items are unlocked, the difficulty eases a bit. The concept itself is simple: you are a knight, armed with a shovel, trying to defeat the team of 'baddies', each one with their own themed level and attacks. The levels are sufficiently different for the game to remain interesting, and the hidden collectables and treasure chests make level replay worthwhile.I highly recommend this game,

17.2.2017

This is a fantastic retro inspired platformer, it reminds me a lot of the Megaman games, although it's no where near as difficult as them. The game has loads of levels in several different environments plus there's some great boss battles, it also has some light RPG elements such as talking to NPCs and buying items and power-ups, the game also has a perfect old school soundtrack.It's just an incredible game and I think if this had been made back in the Super Nintendo/ Mega Drive days it would now be considered one of the classics like Megaman, Metroid or Castlevania, it really is that good and it's a game that every fan of platform games should own.

29.1.2020

I bought the digital copy last year but 'double dipped' to buy the physical release simply to support the developer. In this incredible package, you get FIVE full games complete with authentic chip tune soundtracks (all of which are in my iTunes library and make brilliant running tracks!), a faithfully recreated NES art style and some of the tightest controls and gameplay in a platformer. The story has humour in spades (unintentional pun, but I'm keeping it) and being a Nintendo inspired game, feels at home on the Switch. Buy it!

24.2.2016

Retro masterpiece in th purest fashion, it's a fantastic romp and a true nod to 8 bit platform games. Plays similar to ducktales and castlevania with a little dig dug. It's challenging and yet fair, graphics are awesome (8bit remember this) some of the music is great and some a little grainy ( due to the 8bit synthetic sounds) but all in all this needs to be in your collection 10/10 plus game + mode opens up later up, and kratos battle cameo ( God of war series)

29.1.2016

So much fun to begin with, however the later larger levels can take around an hour to complete. There is checkpoints, however if you leave you lose the progress on the level. As I'm very limited to time, this makes it difficult to find and hour free to fully complete the level.Great for if you have around 20 hours free time to complete it. This game is proof that excellent graphics are not necessary to make a brilliant game.

14.2.2016

This game is amazing, its so unbelievably fun and is a really good throwback to retro gaming.The story may be basic, but it's characters are fun and the game as a whole is really well written.Like the games that Shovel Knight takes its inspiration from, it can be pretty challenging, but thats all part of this games charm!I would highly recommend this game. Its definitely become a favourite of mine.

8.1.2020

Shovel Knight and its expansions will forever stand the test of time as the best retro platformer of the 2010s.The final campaign especially ("King of Cards") brings together virtually every good thing about NES/SNES era platformers, and also adds a whole card-game-based campaign on the side as a bonus.An absolute must play for any platformer/retro enthusiast, and right at home on the Switch!

9.12.2015

I've been waiting ages for a decent 2d platformer for the ps4. I bought the Rayman games on ps3 and good as they are I wasn't going to spend money on something i'd bought previously.This is like old school platformers should be with platform hopping and baddie-bashing. It isn't overly complicated and even the music and sound effects are brilliant. Money well spent.

30.11.2015

Shovel Knight is a homage to the days of the NES, a clever platformer with more depth than first perceived. It really is a joy to play, the soundtrack is excellent as well. I don't think there can be any higher praise than this game not getting torn to pieces in a Zero Punctuation review.

12.12.2015

Awesome game. Gets a bit tricky at times, but totally awesome. Music is great, too. I got this as wanted a physical copy just because this game comes with a manual. An actual manual! Otherwise would have bought a digital copy as it is a cross-buy game, so I could play on my Vita as well.

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