Shantae and the Pirate's Curse Reviews

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
7 / 10
Apr 27, 2016

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse has many of the trappings of a fantastic Metroidvania game, but has a few notable flaws holding it back from greatness. For people who can't get enough of the genre, the game will likely serve as an enjoyable and light-hearted diversion, but for gamers looking for a Metroid substitute on the PS4, there are better options like Axiom Verge or Guacamelee! already available on the system.

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4.2 / 5.0
Apr 27, 2016

If you’re a fan of 2D retro platformers that test both your mental acuity and your thumb dexterity, then Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse should be right up your alley.

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8.7 / 10.0
Apr 25, 2016

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is one of the best 2D platformers out there.

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Apr 23, 2016

'Shantae and the Pirate's Curse' is a highly enjoyable platformer that doesn't take any risks. It's almost like comfort food in a way. You know what to expect, and it scratches that particular itch, but it's ultimately empty calories. Hopefully WayForward Technologies will take more chances and innovate with the next entry in the series, 'Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.'

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78 / 100
Apr 22, 2016
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (PS4 Review): Pirate Booty video thumbnail
74 / 100
Apr 1, 2016

Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse tells an old story wrapped in humor with a cast of character’s you may genuinely feel emotion for.

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GameSpew
Top Critic
7 / 10
Mar 18, 2016

…it’s plain to see that Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is a deep and instantly inviting adventure

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Ken McKown
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Mar 16, 2016

Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is a gem of a game that deserves to get more attention on its second time around. Those that have nostalgia for platformers from the 16-bit era owe it to themselves to check out this quirky experience. There is a lot to love about the half-genie, and certainly not enough of these types of games currently available on home consoles.

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Mar 15, 2016

If you're looking for a great, retro-styled platformer/Metroidvania game, then you can't go wrong with Shantae and the Pirate's Curse. It stands out above the crowd, thanks to smart and polished gameplay, and is a welcomed addition to the Xbox One's library.

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9 / 10.0
Mar 13, 2016

I would love to see Shantae released as a physical copy, due to my collecting habits, to put her newest adventure on the shelf with the greats, where she belongs.

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A or higher
Mar 10, 2016

I love this game. It feels great to play, it’s super fun, and I didn’t want to put it down. Some of the Achievements look to be really challenging, so if you’re an Achievement hunter, keep that in mind. A fun challenge, but a challenge all the same. If you’re a fan of old-school gaming (right down to the final level that may have you questioning your sanity after failing so often), this has that with a new-school coat of paint.

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4.5 / 5.0
Feb 15, 2015

Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is a fantastic game. It’s a celebration of platformer and role-playing games but it doesn’t particularly attempt to copy other games of either genre. I especially enjoyed how Sequin Land has a sense of connectedness, containing large environments brimming with secrets. It makes the world feel real. It’s certainly a unique experience in gameplay and it is packed with quality content. Once you make it through the first dungeon, you’ll be hooked until the end.

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8 / 10
Feb 11, 2015

Some of the best 2D sprite work ever seen in a video game, and all used to support an impressively varied and imaginative Metroidvania.

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NZGamer
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Feb 7, 2015

*Not actually scientifically proven, this is just hyperbole. I’d hope I don’t need to clarify this, but just in case...

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9 / 10
Feb 6, 2015

Summary – No lamp or wishes required, it’s already just about perfect.

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David Lovato
Top Critic
8 / 10
Jan 20, 2015

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is at times frustrating, but is mostly a fun, light-hearted, and immediately and consistently enjoyable videogame. The characters are loveable, the music is catchy, the graphics are solid, and the amount of care put into the game's setting is admirable. It successfully blends old and current philosophies of game design and execution, being reminiscent of classics like Zelda and Sonic the Hedgehog but also striking out and standing firmly as its own series, and one that will hopefully be around for a long time.

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Jan 13, 2015

The lack of meaningful obstacles lessens the overall experience a bit, but Shantae and the Pirate's Curse still stands as an excellent addition to a series with a devoted fan base. The Pirate's Curse adheres to the Metroidvania formula from previous games, but everything here feels bigger and better. I imagine the devoted fan base will only grow after more people play it.

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8 / 10.0
Jan 8, 2015

UPDATE: I fixed the scaling issue. I just had to go into the Wii U Settings and shrink the bounding box a bit. Worked perfectly!

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Jan 5, 2015

Brisk and almost effortlessly pleasing, WayForward's Shantae returns in her richest adventure to date, with all of the personality intact.

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8.5 / 10.0
Jan 1, 2015

At the end of the day, Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is a very enjoyable game.

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