Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

 Switch
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 78 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 78
  3. Negative: 10 out of 78

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  1. BeckFan
    Jun 10, 2017
    8
    This is my first Shantae game, and it is really fun. Great platformer, with fun abilities. Graphics are very nice, and gameplay is super smooth. Lots of spells are items to purchase and upgrade to make you feel pretty strong against your enemies. There is a lot more to this game than i previously thought. I was about to buy for the WiiU when they announced this was coming to the Switch.This is my first Shantae game, and it is really fun. Great platformer, with fun abilities. Graphics are very nice, and gameplay is super smooth. Lots of spells are items to purchase and upgrade to make you feel pretty strong against your enemies. There is a lot more to this game than i previously thought. I was about to buy for the WiiU when they announced this was coming to the Switch. Great game for on the go, like pretty much everything else on the system. Im really glad i bought Shantae. $20 is a great price for this really fun game. Switch just gets better and better.… Expand
  2. Kierzyn
    Aug 10, 2017
    10
    Wonderful music, appealing levels, simple, enjoyable story, good gameplay, and fair amount of hidden treasures make this game a great choice not only for fans of platformers.
  3. b00lpr0p
    Jan 24, 2019
    8
    A pretty and funny indie game, with a nice level design and a moderate to easy difficulty. It worth a try.
  4. Keenanu
    Jul 31, 2017
    8
    Fun little metroidvania/sidescoller hybrid. You'll get about 6 or 7 hours of platforming, collectable hunting and backtracking out of this, and that's 100% completion with every collectable. I'd say play at the harder difficulty, normal was pretty easy. Half Genie Hero is a little more streamlined and linear than previous Shantae entries, with a hub world and the ability to fly to eachFun little metroidvania/sidescoller hybrid. You'll get about 6 or 7 hours of platforming, collectable hunting and backtracking out of this, and that's 100% completion with every collectable. I'd say play at the harder difficulty, normal was pretty easy. Half Genie Hero is a little more streamlined and linear than previous Shantae entries, with a hub world and the ability to fly to each area whenever you want. All you unlock after completing the game is hero mode which just gives you all of your abilities at the start of the game, so I don't see much replay value or longevity here.

    I'd give this a light recommendation seeing as there's not really anything like this on the switch just yet. I had no performance issues or long loading times at all and the game looks great on the switch.    … Expand
  5. residentvl
    Jun 10, 2017
    0
    I was mostly enjoying this game for its nice and cute graphics, fairly good game play and story all up until i got to what is the final level. You are expected to have what must require a true 2d platformer professional credentials to actually get past a certain point. i looked up what other people had done to get past it and responses include landing on a single pixel ledge beforeI was mostly enjoying this game for its nice and cute graphics, fairly good game play and story all up until i got to what is the final level. You are expected to have what must require a true 2d platformer professional credentials to actually get past a certain point. i looked up what other people had done to get past it and responses include landing on a single pixel ledge before switching to a more manageable character in that to get past this trap. while others recommend simply making more attempts until you finally succeed, this is a game when most things can be done literally in 1 or 2 tries max but this puzzle was clearly going to require dozens of attempts before a freakishly lucky chance got me past. i have no idea what the ending is like, no game is worth a difficulty spike that goes from fun concentration to not constantly die and succeed after one or two mistakes to an endless barrage of death with no ability to fine tune movement. **** this game avoiding all 2d platformers again because of this, not worth it.… Expand
  6. tdub154420
    Dec 1, 2017
    0
    Mechanics need a lot of polishing. The gameplay works fine when the demands are simple. Interfacing with basic enemies and uncomplicated platforming works great, and feels smooth- but when the challenges become more complex you will find shortcomings in the mechanics that make it difficult to make your way through the game. The gameplay simply isn’t easily adapted to the increasedMechanics need a lot of polishing. The gameplay works fine when the demands are simple. Interfacing with basic enemies and uncomplicated platforming works great, and feels smooth- but when the challenges become more complex you will find shortcomings in the mechanics that make it difficult to make your way through the game. The gameplay simply isn’t easily adapted to the increased difficulty in the game. You need to switch forms and juggle New abilities in the face of harder enemies and level design, but it feels like the juggling of these abilities just wasn’t quality tested because it does not work well. Refinement is needed.… Expand
  7. ctsmith1x
    Jun 16, 2017
    5
    Same experience as "residentvl". difficulty spike combined with control limitations of required form on the last level kind of ruined this game for me. I quit having fun and simply deleted the game.
  8. dunco64
    Nov 26, 2017
    0
    DO NOT BE FOOLED by the positive things you hear about this series, this game is an absolute smelly trash heap of a **** game. It starts out somewhat promising albeit very easy but with okay platformer mechanics, but the game IMMEDIATELY makes you backtrack to levels you have already been to, and not in a fun way like how in Metroid you backtrack because you get something new and cool toDO NOT BE FOOLED by the positive things you hear about this series, this game is an absolute smelly trash heap of a **** game. It starts out somewhat promising albeit very easy but with okay platformer mechanics, but the game IMMEDIATELY makes you backtrack to levels you have already been to, and not in a fun way like how in Metroid you backtrack because you get something new and cool to use and find more stuff in a previous area, no, they just tell you where to backtrack to and force you to go there and collect more ****
    The game is pretty much 95% backtracking which would be okay if the levels were fun enough to play again, but they are not at all satisfying to go back to over and over again, especially if you're not sure what they are having you backtrack to find. It all just becomes infuriating and boring, I recommend you do not waste your money on this piece of **** game unless you enjoy hating yourself and everything around you. Got about 2 hours out of it before it became unplayable.    … Expand
  9. Subject98
    Aug 26, 2020
    4
    I'm a fan of platformers and metroidvanias, and while this game certainly functions okay in terms of controls, the way it was constructed utterly ruins the whole experience. Instead of being true metroidvania with an interconnected map, this one is broken into 6 separate linear levels which require you to return to and replay each several times to do very minor tasks. I'm not even jokingI'm a fan of platformers and metroidvanias, and while this game certainly functions okay in terms of controls, the way it was constructed utterly ruins the whole experience. Instead of being true metroidvania with an interconnected map, this one is broken into 6 separate linear levels which require you to return to and replay each several times to do very minor tasks. I'm not even joking when I say I probably went back to the water level a dozen times. They do allow you to skip segments of each level but of course the water level had to have a sliding section at the end of it where you can't pause the game to skip it. Not to mention most of the quests you have to return to levels for make absolutely no sense, so it's not uncommon to go through an entire level again only to find out that wasn't the right place to go with the new transformation you unlocked or item you got. This is a 2 hour game stretched out to 6 or 7 hours with loads of padding. Way Forward do make really good games sometimes, I was quite fond of Shantae and the Pirate's Curse and The Mummy Demastered, but they missed the mark hard on this one.… Expand
  10. freeprince
    Jan 16, 2018
    9
    Very decent platformer. Lots of collectibles and unlockables. Would be nice to see the levels change shape as you progressed with new skills or at certain points in the game, but other than that, every level has a reason to return and a new door to open to a new puzzle. If you are a completionist or someone who just enjoys reaching new heights within the same environment, this game willVery decent platformer. Lots of collectibles and unlockables. Would be nice to see the levels change shape as you progressed with new skills or at certain points in the game, but other than that, every level has a reason to return and a new door to open to a new puzzle. If you are a completionist or someone who just enjoys reaching new heights within the same environment, this game will give you plenty of fun to do all the while having a bubbly and friendly story that is hard enough to not be a little kid game but easy enough that you won't be stuck on the same obstacle forever.… Expand
  11. XTremeGamze
    Aug 27, 2018
    9
    Overall great game, a lot of back tracking though but new abilities allow you to unlock before unaccesible areas and gain new transformations, abilities and items. Great music and art style. Platforming takes a while to get used to but is quite fun. Developers could add a more rich or longer story but what's there is great. Overall, I like this game but would like to see more story andOverall great game, a lot of back tracking though but new abilities allow you to unlock before unaccesible areas and gain new transformations, abilities and items. Great music and art style. Platforming takes a while to get used to but is quite fun. Developers could add a more rich or longer story but what's there is great. Overall, I like this game but would like to see more story and more levels with a bit less backtracking.… Expand
  12. goodandbad
    Jul 18, 2018
    10
    Das Spiel ist vom Anfang bis zum Ende liebe voll zusammen gestellt.

    Grafik: 2.5D Welt mit 2D Handgezeichneten Charakter 10/10

    Musik: Up Beat und passt zum Spiel 10/10

    Gameplay: Hatte jederzeit volle Kontrolle über Shantae und co.

    Für Metroidvania Fans ein muss
  13. Evan_Turchiano
    Feb 24, 2018
    10
    Shantae: Half-Genie Hero was an amazing game for me to play. I definitely recommend it for any gamers who enjoy platformers. The soundtrack was amazing, and it was suitable for every single stage (if that's what you call it). The graphics were great, too, and the fact that it's for almost every console and everyone will be able to enjoy it. My favorite characters tbh are either Shantae,Shantae: Half-Genie Hero was an amazing game for me to play. I definitely recommend it for any gamers who enjoy platformers. The soundtrack was amazing, and it was suitable for every single stage (if that's what you call it). The graphics were great, too, and the fact that it's for almost every console and everyone will be able to enjoy it. My favorite characters tbh are either Shantae, Bolo, or Rottytops. Or Twitch & Vinegar. The levels were very appealing! (Hope this helps.)… Expand
  14. IReviewGames101
    Aug 30, 2019
    9
    This game is great! However the controls aren’t the best but still, the fun makes up for it
  15. Simoss13
    Jul 13, 2020
    5
    This was my first Shantae game and I think this will be my last. The reasons this was not a game for me is because:
    - The pacing on the game was so slow in the beginning
    - The level design I feel was above average at best - The back tracking is awful (I know its a metroidvania) but how it was done, turned my off the genre for over a year - How Shantae was portrayed, feminist would have    This was my first Shantae game and I think this will be my last. The reasons this was not a game for me is because:
    - The pacing on the game was so slow in the beginning
    - The level design I feel was above average at best
    - The back tracking is awful (I know its a metroidvania) but how it was done, turned my off the genre for over a year
    - How Shantae was portrayed, feminist would have a field day with this if they knew...
    In saying this, I feel the jump and attack mechanics works really well and was satisfying. I liked the ability to morph to different animals (shame how it was implemented via the control scheme) and the graphics was REALLY nice. I was interested due to the morphs and graphics, but don't let pretty visuals fool you.
    I see the effort made to the game. I tried to like the game but couldn't. I rolled my eyes or sighed through half of the play through. There are much better metroidvanias out there. This on the other hand, was the only game I have actually deleted from my Switch    … Expand
  16. Hielo
    Oct 11, 2021
    10
    Tiene buenos gráficos, así como un buen apartado musical. La historia es decente para su publico objetivo. Tiene una dificultad que pese a no estar al nivel de sus anteriores entregas, sigue siendo decente y aceptable. Personalmente tengo conflicto con el diseño de algunos personajes los cuales se encuentran en la fina linea entre aceptable y vulgar el cual es un punto no tan bueno yTiene buenos gráficos, así como un buen apartado musical. La historia es decente para su publico objetivo. Tiene una dificultad que pese a no estar al nivel de sus anteriores entregas, sigue siendo decente y aceptable. Personalmente tengo conflicto con el diseño de algunos personajes los cuales se encuentran en la fina linea entre aceptable y vulgar el cual es un punto no tan bueno y especialmente en su genero que es infantil, no obstante esto no puede opacar la grandeza de esta entrega. Muy buen juego… Expand

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Best Switch Game of 2017
73
#73 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2017
50
#50 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Pocket Gamer UK
    Sep 19, 2017
    80
    A bright, sharp 2D platformer that's brimming with diversions and exciting set pieces.
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  2. FNintendo
    Aug 9, 2017
    70
    Shantae: Half-Genie Hero brings the series to the Nintendo Switch and it certainly is a fine specimen that makes use of its marvelous visuals and sound to bring a fun action platformer experience to Nintendo's new console. While some elements need a bit of polishing, such as the control precision in key moments and the overall level design, this is a game that opens good prospects for the Shantae series.
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  3. Gaming Age
    Aug 4, 2017
    83
    The positives in Shantae: Half-Genie Hero ultimately more than outweigh the negatives. Again, you'll probably like the game much more if you're going in as a Shantae fan to begin with, but this game is enjoyably pleasant enough that that's by no means a prerequisite.
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