Shantae and the Pirate's Curse Reviews

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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78 / 100
Apr 22, 2016
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (PS4 Review): Pirate Booty video thumbnail
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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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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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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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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6 / 10
May 1, 2016

There are no secrets and nothing cool to find, just a frustrating design mechanic of incessantly backtracking through areas you have already completed

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May 3, 2016

Platforming is tight and varied, and the plot matches the lighthearted tone of the rest of the game. Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is a spirited little game, and by far the best 2D platformer on the PlayStation 4 to date.

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Az Elias
Top Critic
7 / 10
May 3, 2016

This is a fun, but relatively simple, Metroidvania - beginner-friendly, but a title that can easily satisfy a craving, especially if eager for a solid 2D platformer.

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7 / 10
May 4, 2016

Quibbles aside, Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is still a breath of fresh air for the buried concept of sprite-based 2D platformers.

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Justin Celani
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
May 9, 2016

Shantae is a classic game in the right senses. It’s got a decent challenge, it’s fun, and seeing as it’s on almost every console now, there is no excuse not to try it. Players that grew up during the peak of this genre can surely appreciate what Shantae has to offer, and newcomers that have taken a liking to it need to give Shantae a go, it’s one of the better games the genre has to offer in today’s market.

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7.5 / 10.0
May 9, 2016

Shantae and The Pirates Curse is a joyful and surprisingly deep pixelated platformer, and is an indie title that you should consider.

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7.3 / 10.0
May 16, 2016

Entertaining character interactions, the inclusion of an enemy respawn mechanic and a retro-facing aesthetic art-style offer enough to save this Metroidvania love-letter from the trappings of repetitive gameplay, an uninteresting plot and predictable enemy movements.

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9 / 10
Aug 1, 2016

Shantae and The Pirate’s Curse is another brilliant game from WayForward. If you’re a fan of the series, then you’re going to love playing this one as I did for my Shantae and The Pirate’s Curse review! It has a fun story, a new twist on gameplay and lots of content for you to enjoy. As always, the music from Jake “Virt” Kaufman is great, and you’ll definitely find yourself humming a song or two after you’ve finished this one!

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