Shovel Knight Reviews
Shovel Knight is a nice glimpse into the past of video games, but at the same time also an example of successful modern sidescrollers. Through tight controls, fantastic style, and a level of difficulty that's just high enough, Shovel Knight can easily be mentioned in the same breath as the classics it pays tribute to.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Shovel Knight has all the ingredients to make a game fantastic. There is more than enough challenge present to keep your attention. In addition, all levels are unique and a joy to play. The game looks beautiful with its 8-bit jacket and knows how to make you long for the games of yesteryear.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Still haven't played Shovel Knight? What are you waiting for! Shovel Knight is a great challenging game, not only for retro gamers but for anyone who loves platform games. Especially with the planned (free!) DLC that is coming soon is a no-brainer; Shovel Knight is the game to download on the eShop, without a doubt.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Shovel Knight is a really successful production. Especially for fans of the classics, it is simply a mandatory title. If you like challenges and a high level of difficulty, you must necessarily play the production of Yacht Club Games.
Review in Polish | Read full review
So, the question remains – was Shovel Knight worth the time and the hype? The answer is a resounding yes! The game not only lived up to my expectations, it exceeded them in many respects. From my experience with it at PAX Prime last year, I had no inkling of how challenging the final version would be. That said, it is not the longest experience. I managed to beat the story mode in a little less than four hours. I still have more items to find, since I beat it with only 66% item completion, and only achieved some 24% of the various Feats. They are accomplishments awarded for various actions, and can be checked from the start screen. I’m sure they will also lend some replay value as I come back to it. Overall, though, I was well pleased with Shovel Knight. Not only was it worth my wait, I venture many who didn’t back it would do well to buy themselves a copy now. It’s only $15, and for that price is much better than the drivel put out by many larger studios. I only hope Yacht Club Games doesn’t sit on their laurels, and I anxiously anticipate a new game in the near future. Until then, I’ll be shoveling my way through New Game +. For Shovelry!
All in all, Shovel Knight is just plain awesome. The game aimed high and hit the mark. Yacht Club Games were obviously out to honor some of the classics, and they did a damn fine job of it.
Shovel Knight is quite possibly the best faux-NES game I've ever played.
Shovel Knight may have a few minor issues, but it represents the epitome of 8-bit gaming.
In a word, the start of the game is equal to the start of the time machine engine. Would you like to re-live up to your memories?
Review in Persian | Read full review
A sensational platform adventure for everyone, regardless of age. Refined control, stylized binding, interesting bosses, numerous secrets... Such a thing could only be created in an independent studio. A real masterpiece from game enthusiasts.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Very successful, unpretentious platformer in retro style. Fans of this type of games from the NES should feel like fish in the water, but it will also go to others.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Fun, beautiful, playable, full of secrets, work of art. So, in a nutshell, we can describe Shovel Knight. Ah! of course, Shovel Knight comes to Xbox One with spanish texts.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
To put it succinctly, Shovel Knight is great. It pulls off the trick of looking and sounding like a classic game (with a few embellishments here and there) and playing like a mash-up of the best game mechanics of the time. It embraces the old-school mentality wholeheartedly but leaves some room to pick up some modern trappings for wider accessibility. Even though it sports the perfect length for a title in this genre, the large number of extras makes it a title with more than enough staying power for all gamers. Unless you absolutely must have your games made of polygons or completely hate the indie movement, you need to have Shovel Knight in your video game library.
Shovel Knight is yet another fantastic indie addition to the continually growing Vita catalogue. It might lack Vita-specific extras (and is therefore a pointless purchase for people who already own the game on some other platform), but for old-school retro platforming fans who might have missed out on this fantastic title so far, it's a must buy.
Shovel Knight is, at the risk of repetition, brilliant, beautiful stuff. "Retro" may not be the right word to describe it. It is fun not because it evokes memories of 1989, but because it is self sufficiently excellent, here, today, in 2014. It rises to levels of technical and artistic achievement not often seen in the industry, and it has done so within a strict 8-bit structure. If Yacht Club can keep up this kind of quality and creativity, they have a long, productive future ahead of them. Here's hoping so, and here's hoping for more games as good as Shovel Knight.
It's hard to find something to complain about in Shovel Knight because it does everything it sets out to do perfectly - to an impeccable standard. It just proves how community input in the form of both ideas and funding can go a long way to help make such a fantastic experience. Thanks for scratching that Mega Man itch, and for also pushing to get the game available in both Europe and Australia, Yacht Club Games! Now, for those who are still on the fence about this one: Get on the eShop and buy it!
Shovel Knight is a work of true enthusiasm, dedication and love of detail that will satisfy not only those who have not tried a challenging and well-made old-school platformer for a while, but those who have been disappointed by the proliferation of soulless indies. late. Shovel Knight is an old warrior who keeps the ancient gaming traditions intact despite the times and changes, good or bad. It is true that it lacks a bit more to be truly extraordinary, perhaps it is too married to its archaic traditions and its armor is not as brilliant as it could be, but it is one of the best indie releases of this year, without a doubt. Recommended.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Overall, Shovel Knight is a brilliant game. Everything is does it does well and everything works. It's balanced and challenging and constantly offers up new surprises. The controls work perfectly, the levels and enemies are well designed and there's a nice chunk of humour in there as well. This probably is it for the 8-bit retro styled platformer as to beat this would really take something. We tried and tried but it simply cannot be faulted. It's just a magnificent game.
The game also has an incredible soundtrack that is a joint effort between Manami Matsumae from Megaman fame and Jake Kauffman. Both of these have created a soundtrack that is perfect fit for the game. The fast-paced songs fit the mood perfectly and are a joy to listen in the game.
Shovel Knight was fun for a while, but it didn't do enough to keep my interest the whole way through. A very good old school platformer that doesn't do enough to earn a place in modern gaming. If you're feeling particularly nostalgic, go ahead, otherwise you might want to play something a bit more ambitious.