Shovel Knight Showdown

 Switch
User Score
7.3

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. Rjs462
    Dec 11, 2019
    10
    La combinacion de un juego de peleas al estilo smash bros y de un juego de plataformas crean este hermoso juego
  2. SudFlameWord
    May 14, 2020
    5
    This is a disappointing game, all in all. With friends it might have been more fun (what party platform fighter isn't) but as a single player experience it's a frustrating jumble that feels slapped together and half-hearted. Borrowing from Rivals of Aether (a better game Shovel Knight appears in), there is no ledge grabbing and shielding is replaced with a parrying mechanic. There is noThis is a disappointing game, all in all. With friends it might have been more fun (what party platform fighter isn't) but as a single player experience it's a frustrating jumble that feels slapped together and half-hearted. Borrowing from Rivals of Aether (a better game Shovel Knight appears in), there is no ledge grabbing and shielding is replaced with a parrying mechanic. There is no rolling feature. To make up for this, it seems, the team made parrying spammable. But this is doesn't work on the Story Mode AI that at times is frustratingly exact, nigh-reading inputs, while at other times so idiotic that it stands on top of an active bomb waiting to die. The Story Mode itself is *fine.*

    It's a cute backstory and mini-arc for each character that is more or less Classic Mode in Smash Bros, with the main issue being that instead of a specifically structured set of enemies for each step the enemies seem to randomize based off your unlocked characters. This isn't a problem except that it A) hints at a lack of precision in designing the Story Mode, and B) certain combinations of enemies for certain characters is impossible to win - especially since, without dodge rolling, and with the absurd enemy AI, you get stun locked to death. It's stun lock that ultimately makes this game go from a rollicking party game to an absolute mess where you don't feel like you're developing skills as a player or performing cool combos, you feel like you're sneaking in victories on AI.

    It's a shame because the game is genuinely fun to play - responsive, colorful, plenty of variety in moves to make combat engaging - and has a fantastically diverse, if not well-balanced, cast characters. It could have been amazing had the game been given a little more care then it seems to have been. I'd recommend if you and friends enjoy Shovel Knight and want a simple rough n' tumble party experience. Don't get this for yourself though. On balance, it's not worth it.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    May 1, 2020
    75
    The game is definitely worth spending time with, but I'd be hesitant to break it out at a party where people are unfamiliar with the franchise. [Issue #45 – March/April 2020, p. 21]
  2. PLAY! Zine
    Mar 16, 2020
    85
    Shovel Knight Showdown truly delivers a genuine 4 players brawl action, in the famous and recognizable Shovel Knight fashion. If you like fighting games that are easy to learn but hard to master, this might be your shovel of tea. Cup I mean.
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  3. FNintendo
    Feb 16, 2020
    80
    Shovel Knight Showdown builds on the legacy of the series and even adds to it a story/campaign mode, something worthy of praise. Anyone looking for intense, fun hours with friends has something here that will please everyone, thanks to the use of its different gameplay mechanics and game rules.
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