Shantae

 Switch
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
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  1. SMICH55
    May 25, 2021
    10
    The game is definitely a product of its time; however what the game was able to achieve on GBC hardware is still astounding. In terms of this port, there are great new additions such as a concept art gallery, in game filters, save states, and even the option to choose between the GBC and GBA versions of the game. Still a classic worth playing!
  2. MantaOrlando
    Jun 24, 2022
    6
    Shantae is a great game for its era. However, it's plagued by one major flaw and a minor design flaw. The design flaw is that enemies spawn on the most ridiculous of places. Even when you think it's safe in some areas. And the glaring flaw for me was that if you wanted to save right in front of the final dungeon (Mount Pointy), and you hadn't learnt any teleportation dances, you're stuckShantae is a great game for its era. However, it's plagued by one major flaw and a minor design flaw. The design flaw is that enemies spawn on the most ridiculous of places. Even when you think it's safe in some areas. And the glaring flaw for me was that if you wanted to save right in front of the final dungeon (Mount Pointy), and you hadn't learnt any teleportation dances, you're stuck and have to start all over again. No thanks. Although I enjoyed the journey up to that part.… Expand
  3. SeiferA
    Jun 9, 2022
    9
    Graphics: 10/10
    I was actually debating if game boy color sprites really do deserve a top tier score; After all, we’re talking 8-bit graphics here. But the thing about it is for it’s time? This is easily the most fluid graphics Ive ever seen out of a game boy title. The only 8-bit game I can think of that compares to this is Kirby’s Adventure. It’s THAT good, especially considering the    Graphics: 10/10
    I was actually debating if game boy color sprites really do deserve a top tier score; After all, we’re talking 8-bit graphics here. But the thing about it is for it’s time? This is easily the most fluid graphics Ive ever seen out of a game boy title. The only 8-bit game I can think of that compares to this is Kirby’s Adventure. It’s THAT good, especially considering the limitations.

    Sound: 10/10
    Music and sound fxs are absolutely top notch. The music especially ended up being super catchy and Im going to eagerly look to see if there’s any OGremix covers of this soundtrack once Im done with this review.

    Gameplay: 9/10
    If you forced me to give a score on this early on, I would’ve given it a 1/5. But that would have easily been an error on my part.

    Here’s the thing; This game was born from the DNA of great NES games of old; Difficult and downright punishing, but once you figure out the flow and have a proper strategy guide? It’s a title you’ll thoroughly enjoy. Once I understood this, I realized this is exactly the kind of title this game was, but for the game boy color instead.

    The only complaints I have outside of this is the fact that Shantae gets stun locked for at least an entire second, which really breaks the flow of the game when you get one down, as well as the dancing system which, while fun, leaves you vulnerable if you’re doing it anywhere near enemies and especially breaks the flow of the game too.

    But these annoyances are something you can kinda push aside once you get use to this game

    Story: 8/10
    IIn a village Shantae protects, a pirate steals a new form of technology called the steam engine and she must now obtain 4 items and stop said pirate’s evil master plan.

    It’s a very basic story, but what gives this extra points is the way it was written. The writer of this game clearly tried to give some extra life and personality into the characters and it got to a point where I actually enjoyed the lines of dialogue from these individuals. Most of it humorous but still entertaining regardless.

    Difficulty: Normal
    So I need to clarify on this too; I did use the save states provided by the switch remaster. So including that AND the strategy guide, the difficulty easily goes down to a normal difficulty, especially for my playthrough.

    But if you want a more hardcore approach, play this game without those resources because it’ll easily shoot up for a super difficult, if not unforgiving game. There are countless areas where you can easily die or even encounter bad enemy placements that will keep chipping at your health. And without a guide, you’ll be aimlessly wandering around in between save areas. Get a game over deep in an area? Welp guess its time for you to plow through all of that again.

    I can’t begin to imagine how frustrating this game likely could have been for some of those who jumped into this game back in 2002

    BOTTOM LINE:
    9/10

    When I finished this game, I gotta admit that I was thoroughly impressed with how much I enjoyed it. Again, the game does have its flaws with its gameplay and difficulty, but this was certainly a game that pioneered the concept of what indie games could do. If you’re on the fence like I was, for sure give this game a shot. It’s easily worth the 10 dollars on the digital stores    … Expand
  4. haadouukeen
    Apr 2, 2023
    7
    shame the date it was released, this game has everything to be a mark on his time

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Nov 8, 2021
    80
    Shantae has been kind of the guinea pig for a new emulation initiative. It isn't as in-depth as a Shantae re-release could have been, but the base game itself is still so charming that it's worth a look on Switch even without extra bells and whistles. [Issue #56 – November/December 2021, p. 22]
  2. Worth Playing
    Sep 22, 2021
    80
    As a port, Shantae delivers. Minor issues like button remapping aside, once you get over a few things like the lack of a map and a more brutal life system, you'll find this to be a classic platformer that shows off just how good WayForward and this series was from the beginning. Fans of both the series and of old-school gaming would do well to add this title to their Switch libraries.
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  3. Shindig
    May 9, 2021
    80
    With the latest re-release of Shantae, the entire series is now readily available on Nintendo Switch. It’s a delightful franchise that’s gone from strength to strength over the past 20 years, and to have the game that started it all easily accessible, with the convenience of save states to help work around some of its more dated elements, is a true joy.
    Read full review
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