Rating
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero
Shantae embarks on her first full HD adventure! After three highly successful outings with Shantae, Shantae: Risky's Revenge, and Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, Shantae and her friends finally get a full HD console-based sequel! Boasting vivid, detailed high-definition graphics that retain the 2D hand-drawn sprites the series is known for, this ne...
Details
- Released
- December 20, 2016
- Developer
- WayForward
- Publisher
- WayForward, XSEED Games
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Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Reviews
Professional reviews from gaming critics
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is one of my favorite games of 2016, plain and simple. The game oozes charm, the music is fun and lively, and the animation/visuals a
Shantae: Half Genie Hero blends quality with quirk for an unforgettable platforming experience.
From Shovel Knight and Wonder Boy to the Blue Blur’s triumphant return to blast processing, Nintendo’s new portable console is quickly becoming the go-to
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.
If you’re planning to look at the title just to play through the story, the price tag may hold you up a bit (running at $20 for the Steam version, outside of the currently active winter sale). However, this isn’t a game that’s just intended to be run straight through – the focus is on exploring and finding secrets, and aiming for 100% completion will definitely take some time.
Old-school gamers and newcomers alike will find a lot to like in Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. It's unique blend of humor, detailed art style, creativity, and platforming will appeal to most any type of gamer.
Wayforward's heroine has come a long way from her GameBoy beginnings, and she's still got some great adventures in her yet. The gameplay is on point, and the visuals are top notch. The experience is a little on the short side, but fun throughout.
Vibrant, high-definition graphics bring new detail to the series’ charming hand-drawn sprites, which take center stage in this engaging 2.5D entry along with the franchise’s signature action-packed platforming and heavy exploration elements.
A short but fun 2D platform-adventure combines with all previously-released DLC and a few new extras to made this a truly
The Shantae series is an odd one, isn't it? It's been around for quite some time, but never made a huge impact. The Metroidvania style gameplay and quirky writing are adored by fans, but despite being quietly very good, the games remain ignored by most. Funnily enough, you can play three of the four titles right now on PlayStation 4, an interesting case of waiting for a bus only for three to turn up at once. Well, within a year and a half of each other, but that's some quick work in the gaming world.
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero has an amazing presentation and precise platforming that will make gamers of all ages smile. If only the game stuck to its guns instead of devolving into a tedious collectathon that shatters the game's pacing.
It’s clear to see WayForward put their Kickstarter funding to good use. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero features some of the best platforming of recent years, and it’s easy to recommend to anyone that’s a fan of platformers or Metroidvania style games, though a couple more levels to combat the game’s repetition would have been perfect. Wayforward will have to settle for almost reaching that mark instead.