Shovel Knight
2014
- platform
- adventure
- indie
- action
- fantasy
- comedy
- single player
- multiplayer
- co-operative
The story
Shovel Knight is a sweeping classic action adventure game with awesome gameplay, memorable characters, and an 8-bit retro aesthetic. It's a hot mashup of new and old! You play as the eponymous Shovel Knight, a small knight with a huge quest. Shovel Knight has come to this land with two goals: to defeat the evil Enchantress and quest for his lost beloved. He wields a Shovel Blade: a multipurpose weapon whose techniques have now been lost to the ages. Always honest and helpful, Shovel Knight is a shining example of the code of Shovelry: Slash Mercilessly and Dig Tirelessly! But, between Shovel Knight and his beloved stands a cadre of villainous knights. These terrible foes, known as The Order of No Quarter, have been dispatched to prevent Shovel Knight from reaching the Enchantress, and will pursue their mission at any cost. If you love games with perfect platforming, beautiful art, infectious music, crazy bosses, humor and levity, and real heart… Shovel Knight is for you!
What it’s like
Chunky 8-bit pixel art in a bright, saturated palette: sunlit plains, misty swamps, frost-blue tundra and molten castle interiors, all drawn with the crisp, deliberate outlines of an NES cartridge but rendered with modern smoothness. The soundtrack is a bouncing chiptune score with brass-like leads and driving bass lines that shift from pastoral to tense across each stage. Gameplay has a snappy, precise feel in the hands, with a shovel that bounces off enemies and a screen that reacts instantly to every jump. Its vibe is playful, warm and nostalgic, with a little gentle mischief. Good for a cozy evening of short sessions, a quick run on the couch, or background energy while doing something else. The pacing is brisk but forgiving, with checkpoints that keep frustration low, and the tone stays earnest and funny throughout, following a stoic little knight who never loses his good nature. Violence is cartoonish: enemies poof into sparkles and bosses are rendered in exaggerated, slapstick fashion, with no gore and no real menace. For players who want a fond, old-school adventure with heart, humour and a bit of challenge.
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