Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon

 Switch
User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10

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  1. FoxyChalet
    Jan 6, 2022
    10
    Alright let's establish something here. This is a puzzle game, a tile matching block dropping puzzle game like Tetris, Lumines, puyo puyo, Dr Mario, Puzzle Bobble, or more specifically, Wario's Woods.

    This is really important to establish because most of the reviews, especially negative ones, seem to be from people who DON'T LIKE THIS GENRE. It keeps getting middling reviews around the    Alright let's establish something here. This is a puzzle game, a tile matching block dropping puzzle game like Tetris, Lumines, puyo puyo, Dr Mario, Puzzle Bobble, or more specifically, Wario's Woods.

    This is really important to establish because most of the reviews, especially negative ones, seem to be from people who DON'T LIKE THIS GENRE. It keeps getting middling reviews around the internet for not being enough of a roguelike, or not being like original Shovel Knight.

    So let's review this game from the point of view of someone who actually loves the genre, huh?

    It's very good, not perfect, but I personally love it. I've already put many hours into it, and will put many more. The different character, weapon, and relic options add enough variety to keep me coming back to try new things.

    This may not have quite the staying power of Game Boy Tetris or Lumines, but you have to understand that it's absolutely revolutionary. This game NEEDED to happen, because nobody had innovated to fill a void that has existed for years in the block based puzzle world. Sure grindstone is a good game, but I've played it for hours, and there is no time pressure. Sushi Strikers is probably the best recent example, but that has the puyo puyo style cutscene storyline.

    But this? This an actual action puzzle rpg with storyline, and characters, and a hub world. This is for people who love puzzle games but want some depth and design over sheer addictive playtime. Though there's plenty of that as well...

    It's extremely customizable as well, you can change just about anything to play it how you like. This actually upsets a lot of people when some games do this becuae they want to be told how to play. It works though, and I think anyone of any skill level could enjoy this game to it's fullest extent.

    What is the game lacking then you might ask?

    Well it needs an endless mode. Not journey endlessly, which you can unlock by beating the game. It needs a dungeon that does not end, and gets harder and harder as you go. Hopefully the makers of the game read this. It needs an adjustable level to start at and then a point where it starts getting harder, like OG Tetris. Engineering this seems difficulte, but I think it would make the game a more complete package.

    The second thing is that the local multiplayer is lackluster. It should be more... I don't actually know. Like Mr Driller 2 on GBA with tons of fun powerups to disrupt your opponents, but simple gameplay. Just simple but goofy fun, with the skill base still there, so that everyone can enjoy it.

    Honestly apart from that, just adding more stuff, which they already plan to do with 3 DLC packs, is what is going to make this game even better.

    All in all, if you like puzzle games, you shoul dbuy this game. If you like rogulites, you should buy this game. If you like rogulites but don't like puzzle games, I would probably avoid it.

    I for one will be buying evry piece of DLC for this game as soon as it comes out because it is great. And I think the effects of the innovation of this game are going to rock the puzzle game world in unexpected ways going forward.    … Expand
  2. Tspeed
    Jan 23, 2022
    7
    Not bad, but I’ve got other similar games I prefer playing. That might be because personally the roguelike approach doesn’t really appeal to me and I prefer making progress rather than keep starting again each time. When I started playing it reminded me of grindstone, which I then went back to and put in more time than I did with this game. Also for 2 player, I’d much rather play similarNot bad, but I’ve got other similar games I prefer playing. That might be because personally the roguelike approach doesn’t really appeal to me and I prefer making progress rather than keep starting again each time. When I started playing it reminded me of grindstone, which I then went back to and put in more time than I did with this game. Also for 2 player, I’d much rather play similar games included with NSO, like panel de pon, which is much more fun - and that’s not opinion, that’s scientific fact.… Expand
  3. CoffeeNMelange
    Dec 14, 2021
    7
    Core gameplay is really fun IMO, pretty much what I thought it would be and was hoping for. I really enjoy the art style, diversity in characters, the music, and all the customization options (especially for VS mode, which is really awesome).

    I have a few gripes though. * Pretty sparse on unlockable items. I was able to unlock all the relics that Chester (the "home base" shop) sells    Core gameplay is really fun IMO, pretty much what I thought it would be and was hoping for. I really enjoy the art style, diversity in characters, the music, and all the customization options (especially for VS mode, which is really awesome).

    I have a few gripes though.

    * Pretty sparse on unlockable items. I was able to unlock all the relics that Chester (the "home base" shop) sells after what feels like a small number of runs. After playing for maybe 4-5 hours since launch, it feels like gems don't mean anything. (I have all the areas unlocked for cannon; all costumes for the characters I currently have unlocked; all relics that can be bought, etc)

    * The relic selection is... Well, underwhelming. The vast majority of them just aren't great or even all that interesting, and the ones that are even vaguely interesting aren't really useful. I understand that this is a puzzle game with pretty unique gameplay, so I expect that relic design must have been kind of difficult. But IMO run diversity is a core of roguelike games, which is usually achieved via relics you pick up during the run, and Pocket Dungeon kinda falls flat in this regard. There really just isn't enough competition between the quality of relics for the user to ever consider not buying a Meal Ticket or the Rapier that gives First Strike damage.

    * No online for the absolutely excellent versus mode. I suppose that might be a lot to ask, but it would really be awesome.

    In summary: This is a fun game with a lot going for it. IMO it's a great puzzle game, but not a great roguelike. People who are hoping for a ton of unique items and strong run diversity are not going to find it here presently. That said, the core gameplay is solid and a really fresh take on the action puzzle genre.

    Is it worth your $20? I'd like to say it is—I really enjoy the game for what it is. That said, it's easy to see that there's a distinct lack of content that enables run diversity, a quality associated with titles that include "roguelike" in their description. Being that a lot of total bangers in the genre are around $20 and have heaps more content & run diversity, I can't help but be a little disappointed in this regard. Hoping for a DLC that gives some answer, here.

    Fun and unique for what it is. Core gameplay is great. Versus mode feels like the real star of the show in terms of replayability, but without online, that only gets a person so far.

    I'd give it a 7/10.    … Expand
  4. Onioncreature
    Dec 22, 2021
    6
    An enjoyable if lackluster puzzle spin-off of the popular Shovel Knight series of games. The core gameplay is fairly fun, but becomes repetitive quite fast and doesn't have enough variety to hold my interest for long. I'm also not sure if the implementation of a rouge-like structure was the best direction for this title. With that said, the music, visuals, and script are still up to theAn enjoyable if lackluster puzzle spin-off of the popular Shovel Knight series of games. The core gameplay is fairly fun, but becomes repetitive quite fast and doesn't have enough variety to hold my interest for long. I'm also not sure if the implementation of a rouge-like structure was the best direction for this title. With that said, the music, visuals, and script are still up to the series standard, so even though I didn't get much out of my time with Pocket Dungeon I can still appreciate the effort and talent that clearly went into it.… Expand
  5. vodkaffee
    Dec 25, 2021
    8
    i really didnt expect to like this game, i bought it because i wanted to support the devs, and im very impressed, i have tried puzzle / rhytmic / roguelite games lots of times but i was never too fond of this genres i tend to get bored very fast, this is not the case with SKPD.
    Lots of fun, very quick, very hard.
  6. Uwuo
    Dec 27, 2021
    10
    The gameplay is not in the classic platformer formula, it’s a more roguelike puzzle game, hard, unforgiving, and with good graphics. 10/10 would recommend
  7. DianeTheGamer
    Mar 3, 2023
    1
    Amazing Game but just like Shovel Knight Dig it's ruined by forced Rogue Mechanics, Every time you beat a level you go onto the next but fail and you are sent back to the beginning of the Game. I know some like this but there was a reason Save data was invented for Video Games. Most people don't like losing all progress and starting from the very beginning of the game. Wasted my money onAmazing Game but just like Shovel Knight Dig it's ruined by forced Rogue Mechanics, Every time you beat a level you go onto the next but fail and you are sent back to the beginning of the Game. I know some like this but there was a reason Save data was invented for Video Games. Most people don't like losing all progress and starting from the very beginning of the game. Wasted my money on This and Shovel Knight Dig. The original Shovel Knight though, Perfect game and Dungeons and Dig would have been too if they didn't force Rogue Elements on the players. You are just cutting off part of your potential audience with that.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best Switch Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Mar 7, 2022
    75
    If you dare to step inside the Pocket Dungeon, I'd recommend an extreme degree of caution and being prepared to dial the difficulty down right away. [Issue #57 – January/February 2022, p. 22]
  2. Meristation
    Jan 13, 2022
    75
    Shovel Knight: Pocket Dungeon is a good puzzle game, above all. With a simple gameplay based on chaining elements of the scenario, each movement makes the board react accordingly, balancing the action with the turns in a sublime way. It surprises for how easy it is to understand its mechanics, how accessible and how addictive its formula is; but it doesn't justify its roguelite elements because of the little importance of each run's findings. A very good gateway to the genre for those who enjoy this kind of proposals, with a moderate challenge that requires a few hours to get out of this pocket dungeon. Once again, Shovel Knight shows that it has potential in genres other than classic platforming. More than recommended.
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  3. Switch Player
    Jan 3, 2022
    90
    Overall, Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is one of the best puzzle and rogue-lites I’ve had the pleasure of playing. Though it’s not without a few faults, this is a must-play for any Shovel Knight fan.
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