Shovel Knight Dig Reviews
Dig is not a sequel, but even calling it a spin-off doesn't feel totally right. This is just the 2D side-scrolling adventures of Shovel Knight's origins displayed through a different vertical lens with a dash of arcade roguelike design tossed in. Through it all, the bountiful creativity that Yacht Club has made their staple is everywhere throughout the experience.
Shovel Knight Dig is definitely worth playing for both platformer and roguelike fans. The twist on the Shovel Knight formula makes Shovel Knight Dig feel fresh, despite the mostly unchanged controls from the original. The fair random elements and generous meta-progression make it a good entry point for platformer fans unfamiliar with roguelikes, whereas hardcore roguelike fans can enjoy the tough bosses and challenges required to get the True Ending. Although the main campaign may seem rather brief, it's a blast while it lasts, and an easy recommendation.
In the end, Shovel Knight Dig is more Shovel Knight. The basic gameplay and boss fights are the stars of the show, and they more than make up for the ways that the game struggles in its capacity as a roguelite. It’s got a healthy supply of that just-one-more-attempt magic, which should serve folks hankering for more shovel-swinging action just fine. The irony remains that Shovel Knight Dig is just not exceptionally deep.
Shovel Knight Dig proves the knight's versatility in a great roguelike action title. Digging ever deeper is addicting, and the mix of platform moments, battles and exploration makes the stages quite frantic. Besides that, there's a good variety of content to explore and an atmosphere full of charisma with a great 16-bits pixel art style. Even with so many qualities, the game has really annoying issues, such as dangers that show up out of nowhere, unbalanced aspects and the camera position gets in the way of some movements. It's important to be ready to ignore those negative points, but, overall, the result is positive. In the end, Shovel Knight Dig is yet another great addition to the franchise.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Shovel Knight Dig is another fantastic new entry into the series by Yacht Club Games, and it will no doubt go on to be a beloved game.
I've really enjoyed my time with Shovel Knight Dig, and it's a fantastic follow-up to the first Shovel Knight adventure. Everything comes together so well here, and it feels so great to play, that you'll have a tough time putting this one down.
If you're in the camp for short-term but challenging "devil may care" fun, dig in!
Shovel Knight Dig may not be as fine-tuned as the original but it's still a ton of fun to dig deeper and deeper in its roguelike campaign. I definitely recommend it but try not to be disappointed if the fun is over within only a few hours like it was for me.
Shovel Knight Dig is a superb title that has given a new dimension to a beloved character that already exuded fun and greatness. The new mechanics blend seamlessly with the characters and enemies to create a new, yet very familiar situation that anyone who hasn't played the original game can enjoy.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Shovel Knight Dig is a fun little rogue-lite. While it took me over ten hours to beat, I know better, more rogue-lite skilled players will not need as much time. I did not encounter bugs or errors with my time; but more than a few of what felt like unfair deaths. The chaotic gameplay of Dig makes it hard to see how great the pixel art is at times, but being able to literally slow down the gameplay or adjust my health and damage output makes it easier to appreciate the visuals. I can see myself returning to Shovel Knight Dig in a few months just to give it another spin, but the overall replay did not entice me back immediately.
Still though, because most of my eight hours with Dig were spent spelunking through stages leading down, I rarely had to think about the game’s roguelite efforts. I spent most of my time playing through beautiful stages to the tune of chippy synth tunes, fascinated with how far Nitrome and Yacht Club were able to stretch the “dig” aspect of this game. Perhaps the roguelite nature of Dig will play a bigger role in my post-game excavations because I’m rearing to jump back in to discover all of its secrets. Even if it doesn’t, though, I know I still have at least a few more hours of great Shovel Knight gameplay ahead of me and in the world of platforming, that’s a treasure worth digging up.
Shovel Knight Dig is a great little game. Small in length but big in quality. It's easy to start a game for a few minutes and come back to it later. It's also easy to lose yourself in a couple of more minutes of gameplay. Once again, a great success from Yacht Club Games that we highly recommend.
Review in French | Read full review
Shovel Knight Dig is yet another win for the popular indie icon. A highly enjoyable action roguelike that will keep you busy for a good gaming night or in short bursts. Suitable for gamers of all skill levels thanks to its use of accessibility features. New content is dropped regularly, if not a touch light, but with the game’s addictive gameplay and random generation, I found it hard not to always sneak in another run. Shovel Knight is in the rare comfortable position where his mere presence in a game is a sign of quality. But whether you are a fan of the series or jumping in for the very first time Shovel Knight Dig will not disappoint.
Despite the insidious roguelike trappings, this is a Shovel Knight title to its core. Dig is a nasty slog with no shortcuts to slump against. Spend your money as you might, only your skills can get you further. Like the original games, you can only throw yourself into the meat grinder until your muscle memory spits you out the other side. Although it looks and sounds great, I found myself tangled in the roguelike mechanics. If you’re incompatible with that genre, you might have to pass on this one. But Shovel Knight Dig hides a pretty decent game under all those frustrating outer layers.
Nitrome definitely did a good job at making a fun gameplay loop, and with all the different options and modes to tinker with, fans of the original game will certainly enjoy this roguelike twist. Dig to it!
Shovel Knight Dig is a great and accessible roguelike that proves that the Yacht Club Games knight is capable of leading good adventures in different genres. While not without its flaws, this nimble and fun journey manages to entertain by wisely using risk and reward dynamics in various aspects of its design until victory is finally achieved. Let's keep digging then!
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A fresh new take in the Shovel Knight adventures which succesfully embraces the roguelike trend and wraps it in wonderful pixelart.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Shovel Knight Dig finds our spade-wielding hero heading in another new direction, and while this trip goes downward, they manage to strike gold here as well. Addictive gameplay, gorgeous graphics and impressive levels that play host to a lot of unique challenges all get mixed together in order to create another winning action game worth checking out for fans and newcomers alike. It truly is another gem that's been dug up here.
Preserving the standard of quality that defines Yacht Club Games and evolving several pillars of the Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove experience, Shovel Knight Dig is not just a spin-off. This is a refreshing reinterpretation of the series' formula that, with refined platforming mechanics and an array of inventive enemies and gimmicks, has everything to satisfy fans of the genre and especially the paddled knight. However, this adventure is short-lived, especially if you just want to reach the end of the journey. Additionally, while the roguelite format adds to the longevity of this title, the process of generating the levels can lead to some mild frustrations.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review