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

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  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. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. IReviewGames101
    Aug 30, 2019
    9
    This game is great! However the controls aren’t the best but still, the fun makes up for it
  10. 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

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »