Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Reviews

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Unscored
Jul 11, 2019

Say that I loved the game and with this edition you have at least 15 hours of fun for lovers of collectibles, in addition to the art book and the BSO that it brings, which is why I recommend it to lovers of old school platforms.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Gamefa
Babin Bayani
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Apr 29, 2019

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition is an amazing game with unique art style, Beautiful level design, nice music and various boss fights. Gameplay is the game's strongest element and is fun, challenging, diverse and exciting. Various modes, each one of them different from the other, is why this game can be played multiple times and not be boring. Of course thre are problems like not so good story-telling and difficulty unballance in some parts of the game, but in the end, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition is a very good choice for long time fans of Shantae series and for every gamers that are looking for a valuable platforming game with some good challenges and beautiful art style.

Review in Persian | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Jun 27, 2018

Shantae is visually pleasing and fun game, but it makes you repeat levels over and over again, especially when it comes to DLCs.

Review in Polish | Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
May 15, 2018

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition returns with a massive amount of content that’ll bring in new and returning players. The platforming is smooth, the character designs and the world are incredibly detailed, and the gameplay is a blast. Without a doubt, this ultimate edition will leave everyone smiling and shaking those hips.

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9 / 10.0
May 8, 2018

Oddly up until this year I'd only consistently heard good things about Shantae but I'd never had the chance to indulge for myself...

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Evan Norris
Top Critic
7 / 10
May 7, 2018

Where some re-releases and remasters are content to add a single extra mode or a graphical face-lift, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition aspires to more.

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7 / 10
Aug 9, 2017

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is a welcome arrival of the series to a new format. Thanks to an exquisite audiovisual environment, Half-Genie Hero's mechanics and overall charisma make this a fun and enjoyable game that could be better with some more precision in the controls on certain moments and some work on the level design.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

ZEFGame.ru
Frostengine
8 / 10.0
Jul 9, 2017

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero was actually decent representative of the genre of platformer elements metroidvania are wisely mixed system backtracking, no bother, colorful art style mixed with great music is harmoniously interwoven into the game world, a world that the developers have filled not only a beautiful picture, but also the soul.

Review in Russian | Read full review

Cubed3
Eric
Top Critic
5 / 10
Jul 8, 2017

If it was not for the music and the superior graphics, Half-Genie Hero would be viewed even less favourably for the simple fact it is not fun. Much of the goofy charm of the series has long been extinguished, and the main character is grating at this point. The platforming, despite having previous in the series that was great, is shockingly bad. Pretty graphics cannot hide the fact that after one too many trips to the bottom of the endless towers they climb, this game is simply not good, especially when the company, and the genre as a whole, offers so many better options.

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Cubed3
Top Critic
9 / 10
Jun 28, 2017

Playing as a genie has never been more fun. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is a wonder to behold, and can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

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9 / 10.0
Jun 27, 2017

Some of the meta-humor in Half-Genie Hero had to be explained, since this happened to be my first Shantae game. It definitely won't be the last – I've got all four now on various Nintendo systems, and I'll definitely dive into the ones I've missed. But you never forget your first, and I'm definitely "RET-2-GO" if WayForward brings it back.

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9 / 10
Jun 19, 2017

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is an enjoyable experience and although Shantae doesn’t necessarily bring anything brand new to the table you can see the respect, love and polish the developers have for the genre that led them to create a game like this in the first place. With strong platformers already on the Switch such as Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment, Blaster Master Zero and Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero stands strong and proudly amongst them.

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Adam Riley
Top Critic
8 / 10
Jun 18, 2017

Whilst it starts off somewhat slow, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero quickly kicks into top gear and stays there right until the end, making for one of the most engrossing 2D platform adventures of recent times.

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9 / 10
Jun 16, 2017

This is the most polished Shantae game yet, and we can't wait to see where the Half-Genie Hero goes from here.

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7.9 / 10.0
Jun 16, 2017

WayForward Technologies Shantae: Half-Genie Hero's experience remains this fresh platforming adventure that will not disappoint you, full of comedy and fun characters, topped by an exemplary design.

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83 / 100
Jun 12, 2017
Value Review: Shantae Half-Genie Hero (Switch) video thumbnail
Cubed3
Top Critic
7 / 10
May 5, 2017

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is an orchestra for the sense, yet a bully to the mind. While it's a delight to look at and listen to, much of the gameplay feels like it should have been left in the path. Fortunately, clever boss fights that manage to fuse simplicity with depth save this from being an otherwise tiresome affair. If difficulty is a turn-off, though, steer clear. Other than that one could do a lot worse than this little game.

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78 / 100
Feb 17, 2017

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero provides the same great sidescrolling action and charm of previous entries, though it also retains the series' awkward progression mechanics and suffers from a short length.

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8 / 10
Feb 8, 2017

Half-Genie Hero does not reinvent the wheel but it brings a series of new elements that are more than welcome to rejuvenate Shantae. The new visual interface is an appetizer that shows there is more to Shantae than just the style and the game's structure and level design further add to make Half-Genie Hero a title that should be in the choices of every platform fan.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

A-
Feb 7, 2017

WayForward proved its considerable talent at creating fun, colorful, retro-inspired platformers long ago and each Shantae title has simply reinforced that reputation. It should come as little surprise that Half-Genie Hero continues that tradition. While some longtime fans might be somewhat turned off by the more contemporary visuals and streamlined level design, others will undoubtedly enjoy these changes.

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