Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

 Switch
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 527 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 423 out of 527
  2. Mixed: 51 out of 527
  3. Negative: 53 out of 527
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  1. Hepsiyupse
    Apr 9, 2022
    8
    It's really hard to judge the game as a single game. I'll just review the games separately:

    Shovel of Hope is good. The controls feel nice. The pixel graphics are awesome. There are some instant deaths, but you can avoid some using an item. The story is decent, with an interesting twist at the end. The level design is really thoughtful and well executed. Plague of Shadows is garbage.    It's really hard to judge the game as a single game. I'll just review the games separately:

    Shovel of Hope is good. The controls feel nice. The pixel graphics are awesome. There are some instant deaths, but you can avoid some using an item. The story is decent, with an interesting twist at the end. The level design is really thoughtful and well executed.

    Plague of Shadows is garbage. For a platformer, it's an extremely bold choice that Plague Knight can't pull off a decent jump. Even with the double jump, the height is ridiculous. You have to throw something at the peak of the double jump (with very difficult timing) to get the few extra pixels of height you need. The other option is the dash, which moves you way too fast and too far. It's very hard to control, you'll constantly touch enemies just to get knocked back ten meters, and die in a pit. Also, someone had the genius idea that you have to hold down the attack button for (what feels like) a minute to dash. This means that you can't attack while you charge the dash move, and you can waste a bomb because there's a limit on how many bombs you can throw at a time.
    The bombs also feel like trash. You constantly have to go to the menu to change what bomb you use or how you throw it. There's a quick selection, but it's useless because all the icons look the same, and you have to read the description. Also, it's frustrating that sometimes you forget to change the bomb (after every single enemy!) and you throw a wrong bomb, and then you die.
    The story is the only good thing about this game. Honestly, it plays like s**** and every good aspect can be found in the other games. Just don't play this game, and you'll have a good time with Treasure Trove.

    Specter of Torment is the best game of Treasure Trove. The wall climbing and dash move make Specter Knight the best playable character in the whole game. It's just incredible how good movement feels. As standalone game, it would be one of the best 2D platformers of all time. The story is also very dark and engaging, the hub world is full of dark charm and has an extra vicious challenge. My only criticism is that Specter Knight can feel a little overpowered sometimes, especially when you fight bosses from Shovel of Hope who weren't adapted for Specter Knights moveset.

    King of Cards is just a little better than Shovel of Hope. The moveset is a little more interesting. It is very clever that it is so forgiving, other than Plague of Shadows. Your dash move can be halted, and you can make another dash if you got hit by something to save your skin. The additional card game is fun, but it's just like EA games: pay to win. You can simply destroy your opponent with cheats you bought with in-game currency. The story is very funny, especially King Knight's mother.

    Showdown is like Super Smash Bros. for retro 2D characters. The menu is very unintuitive, the characters are not balanced well, and a few of the stages suck, but all in all, it's very much fun. The counter move is very nice, and it uses the elements from the previous games in a very clever way.

    Finally, I'd say that Shovel Knight is very good. The separate games recycle a lot of enemies and stages, but for each game, movement changes a lot. The level design is adapted to it, so it looks the same but feels different. I just wish they would make more bosses, or at least change their moveset more. It's a great platformer. Just don't play Plague of Shadows.    … Expand
  2. Grunty
    Jan 26, 2019
    5
    I'm not sure to be a big fan of platform games, but I want to try with this one. Ok game. I absolutely hate the lightning / darkness features that make you jump / act blindly : if this is the notion of fun, it bored me to death. But there is more than that, and I can understand the praise, though a bit disappointed. Maybe platform game is simply not for me (but then enjoyed a lot Mario Odyssey).
  3. TheCrappyArtist
    Sep 28, 2020
    8
    I do feel the name speaks for itself. This game is truly a treasure trove of content. Fun throughout.
  4. Pineapples2329
    Aug 3, 2021
    10
    this is one of the legendary indie games, and a must buy. my favorite part of these games are how they adds new mechanics constantly throughout the level, usually to combine them all in the final stretch in a very difficult section. King of cards has more simple, shorter levels, similar to mario games.
    Shovel of hope:10/10
    Plague of shadows:7/10
    specter of torment: 10/10
    king of cards:11/10
  5. pundy14
    May 26, 2022
    9
    Played the first three and they are brilliant. Actually brilliant. Can be difficult, but the checkpoint system makes the game feel fair, like you’re able to jump straight back into things. Brilliant games.
  6. Elquansa
    Feb 3, 2023
    9
    Definitely a highlight in the modern indie game scene. The full package with every story expansions adds so much, so many fresh stories and mechanics to each character. The team did a beautiful job translating a classic genre for new generations looking to dip their toes in the games many inspirations and and references.
  7. chepecarlos
    Apr 16, 2017
    10
    What more do you want a game that is the son of megaman, mario 3 and many more, with coperative game, all DLC with game mode very different than the normal and the best you can take with you to wherever you want.
  8. runeasgar
    Jun 1, 2018
    5
    I found this game to be extremely hard once you get past the initial levels. There's no in-level saving, and each level is a series of death gauntlets, so you can't "put it down and come back later" without sacrificing your progress in a given level. This is really frustrating since it basically locks you into a cycle of death without the option to go play another game to cool off.

    I    I found this game to be extremely hard once you get past the initial levels. There's no in-level saving, and each level is a series of death gauntlets, so you can't "put it down and come back later" without sacrificing your progress in a given level. This is really frustrating since it basically locks you into a cycle of death without the option to go play another game to cool off.

    I realize I'm in the minority here. It's also worth noting I've only played as the shovel knight. I'm told the other characters are more enjoyable.. I'm sure I'll try them at some point.

    Anyway, this is one of the few purchases on the Switch I genuinely regret, and my hope is that this review might prevent other people like me from wasting their money.    … Expand
  9. tattoo_ewe
    Jun 4, 2017
    8
    A lot of games are out to emulate the retro-platformer format, but none do it quite like Shovel Knight - a game that take the best elements of mario, megaman and the like, and integrates them into one immensely playable game. Recent DLC is enough to keep players busy for years. Top-notch game design, plenty of fun and a whole lotta value for money.
  10. Lordofdirt
    Jan 13, 2019
    10
    I heard a lot of amazing things about this game so I figured I'd give a shot. I went to the Nintendo Eshop, and bought the game for only 20 to 25 dollar, and holy **** This is one of the best **** games I have ever played. Fighting through all of these enemies with such a peculiar character such as shovel knight. Each of the enemies more creative than the last, all with different attacksI heard a lot of amazing things about this game so I figured I'd give a shot. I went to the Nintendo Eshop, and bought the game for only 20 to 25 dollar, and holy **** This is one of the best **** games I have ever played. Fighting through all of these enemies with such a peculiar character such as shovel knight. Each of the enemies more creative than the last, all with different attacks and different mechanics, and each level was structured completely different and would always have something new. These made it so whenever you turn a corner you never what the **** to expect. You could be jumping on bubbles, floating over propellers, bouncing off cannonballs, avoiding griffins, and each on of these can be past in a number of ways. You can fly past them with the propeller dagger, attack from a distance with the flare wand, go by them with phase locket. Though playing as shovel knight is great playing as specter and plague knight make it feel like an entirely new game. Even though you can realize that these are shovel knights obstacles these other characters have their own ways of passing them. Like playing as plague knight you can find bubbles for shovel knight to jump onto, but you don't need these, you can just use your triple jump and fly past it. You can tell its the same world that shovel knight went through, the same rooms and obstacles, but these new characters make it an entirely new game. The game is just a continuous feeling of satisfaction because you always feel like you're improving. You're always doing better than you were last time. You'll end up turning a corner and find an enemy you don't know how to face, and you'll die from it a few times, but after a bit you finally know how to beat it, and that feels so good. Then after that comes more and more things that work the same way, until eventually you've mastered fighting it, you'll be able to take down that first enemy in an instant. I know a lot of games do this sort of things, but shovel knight does it so well. They don't keep pulling out this new concept until it's boring, as soon as you've gotten used it it switches to something new. This game sent me through a series of emotions and that makes it so good. I absolutely adore this game. After beating it with all three characters I couldn't help the need to play it again so I did. I've beaten it a shovel knight once, plague knight and specter knight twice and I'm working on a Co-op game. One of my favorite games of all time. I'll be sure to buy the next expansion.… Expand
  11. BonnoRTM
    Nov 15, 2018
    3
    I give full marks to the Specter of Torment which was by one of the best platformers I've played recently but the original Shovel of Hope and Plague of Shadows handle awfully, I mean worse than the original Super Mario Bros. on the NES, and if you can't out do a games approx. 25 years older then it's not worth my time (and unfortunately I'd like a discount based on what I paid!)
  12. jbakes25
    May 2, 2017
    9
    Shovel Knight doesn't just honor old school platformers, it embraces them. It takes all the best characteristics of old school gaming and some elements from some legendary titles and shows it off in spectacular fashion. The music and difficulty curve are my favorite parts about this game.
    Yacht Club games deserves a lot of credit for finding ways to keep this game going after all there    Shovel Knight doesn't just honor old school platformers, it embraces them. It takes all the best characteristics of old school gaming and some elements from some legendary titles and shows it off in spectacular fashion. The music and difficulty curve are my favorite parts about this game.
    Yacht Club games deserves a lot of credit for finding ways to keep this game going after all there few years, when an indie usually fades away a bit. The Plague Knight and Specter Knight campaigns are adventures that deserve to be their own games apart from Shovel Knight. They are so much fun and the new mechanics in each one add a variety I cannot get enough of.    … Expand
  13. mrswitch2687
    May 19, 2017
    7
    Shovel Knight on the switch is the first time I have played the series and this pack includes all the DLC as well. The game play is excellent for an indie game and a real throwback to the 'olden days.' Also, it is hard- I find myself dying a lot playing shovel knight. So, in summary, Graphics: good, Sound: Good, Game play: Good, Story: Good. I have a few gripes with certain things- such asShovel Knight on the switch is the first time I have played the series and this pack includes all the DLC as well. The game play is excellent for an indie game and a real throwback to the 'olden days.' Also, it is hard- I find myself dying a lot playing shovel knight. So, in summary, Graphics: good, Sound: Good, Game play: Good, Story: Good. I have a few gripes with certain things- such as the game play surrounding boss combat tending to take priority on the damage they cause you if you attack at the same time but otherwise the game is enjoyable enough at a reasonable price… Expand
  14. TheVirtualDude
    Mar 20, 2020
    7
    The game was really good but there’s 2 things that really took a step back for me. The knock back of an attack was really intense, almost 1/4 of the screen. Just not needed to be that strong. The other is that there are NO music note hints. I like exploration games and I loved the music notes, but i need to know how many are left in each level or something. Extremely minimal hints. I justThe game was really good but there’s 2 things that really took a step back for me. The knock back of an attack was really intense, almost 1/4 of the screen. Just not needed to be that strong. The other is that there are NO music note hints. I like exploration games and I loved the music notes, but i need to know how many are left in each level or something. Extremely minimal hints. I just have no idea where I’m missing them and I don’t want to turn to google.… Expand
  15. Oziach
    Apr 1, 2019
    0
    My friend told me this was like super mario world

    i turn on the game

    this game was NOT super mario world

    i want my money back, sega
  16. DerockRodrey
    Apr 1, 2019
    1
    who's chair is this, who put this god damn chair here? not my chair, not my chair not my problem
  17. LamarrrtheGOD
    Apr 1, 2019
    0
    its ok i mean like my brother didn't plauy it but my brother bought it so i decided to watchem play ti but like tis ok like i never olayed it he never played it or nothin but like yeah.
  18. bezio22
    Jun 7, 2017
    9
    Amazing game, looks really nice, music is insane. Platforming might be a bit tricky for some, but never gets boring since every level adds something new. Bosses can be a bit repetative, and after getting used to the controls, they are gonna be very easy.
  19. bonnacon
    Jul 22, 2017
    3
    Honestly, I don't get why this game is so popular.
    It has its moments, but overall it's just immensely frustrating with a very strange, uneven difficulty curve and poor checkpoint placement. Towards the end it becomes truly unbearable with the forced sidescrolling/topscrolling sections, flying enemies and really sadistic level design. Not fun.
  20. toonlinkman
    Dec 26, 2017
    5
    Not bad for the price. When I first played it I almost deleted it in disgust and anger but I'm pleased I gave it a second chance. It is enjoyable in short bursts.
  21. blackphoenix60
    Mar 7, 2017
    9
    This is a fantastic game. The inclusion of all DLC makes this more than worth every penny.

    If you like retro platformers such as Mario 3, Megaman, etc, you NEED to play this game.
  22. RubMan
    Nov 3, 2019
    3
    I should be the target audience for this game. I grew up on Super Mario Bros, Mega man, Castlevania etc. I don't like it, mostly because no joy or intelligence went into the level design. 99% of my deaths were my character getting knocked into lava or down a pit. Most of the time the deaths felt unfair or random. I rarely ran out of energy or got killed by a boss. The secrets are all theI should be the target audience for this game. I grew up on Super Mario Bros, Mega man, Castlevania etc. I don't like it, mostly because no joy or intelligence went into the level design. 99% of my deaths were my character getting knocked into lava or down a pit. Most of the time the deaths felt unfair or random. I rarely ran out of energy or got killed by a boss. The secrets are all the same, you smash a wall open, except for about three secrets that involve jumping over the top of the screen. The bosses are too easy. Then in the second campaign where you play as Plague Knight, the bosses are not altered to suit Plague Knight's play-style and they become even easier to beat. So lazy. Don't be fooled by the reviews comparing this to Super Mario 3. The level design is about five times worse than Mega man 6, it doesn't come close to a Mario game, or even one of the better Mega mans. It's overpriced and overrated. Some of the writing on Plague Knight's quest is quite amusing, on Shovel Knight's quest the writing is mostly boring and lazy, with a few high points. I can't be bothered to complete Plague Knight's quest or try Specter Knight's, from what I've experienced so far I'm pretty sure it would just be a waste of time. The game is also too short, completed the Shovel Knight quest in 6 hours with 80% completion. Can't be bothered to get the rest of the secrets because the game sucks.… Expand
  23. mefzeldernx
    Feb 10, 2018
    10
    No es sorpresa que tenga éste juego en PS4, Wii U, PSV y 3DS, y es porque es el indie perfecto, controles responsables, música suprema, un estilo nostálgico que toma buenas mecánicas de otros clásicos y DLC gratuito que aumenta el contenido del juego un 100% por vez hacen de "Shovel Knight" un ejemplo.
    Éste paquete incluye todo el material que ha sumado Yacht Club más una próxima aventura    No es sorpresa que tenga éste juego en PS4, Wii U, PSV y 3DS, y es porque es el indie perfecto, controles responsables, música suprema, un estilo nostálgico que toma buenas mecánicas de otros clásicos y DLC gratuito que aumenta el contenido del juego un 100% por vez hacen de "Shovel Knight" un ejemplo.
    Éste paquete incluye todo el material que ha sumado Yacht Club más una próxima aventura que protagonizará King Knight y amiibos de éste, Plague Knight y Specter Knight que le darán un toque exclusivo a ésta versión y a la de Wii U.
    No tengo palabras para "Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove" que no sean cumplidos, sencillamente es un juego perfecto que siempre se jugará bien sin importar la plataforma. Aunque en Switch la portabilidad y el tamaño de la pantalla suma mucho para que valga la pena sumarlo a su catálogo de juegos.    … Expand
  24. ByYuxiSs
    Mar 9, 2017
    8
    The same game of Ps4 and One but on my point of view a little better since they have fixed the story and the gameplay is still as fresh but with some better and the other content that have added to the game that if it is not much me It looks like I was pretty good at this indie game.

    Great game 8/10
  25. DelWolf
    Apr 20, 2017
    9
    Overall an extremely enjoyable experience. I would consider the Switch port superior to the others, as it is the one that functions as both a home console and a handheld, with no drawback in performance or graphics. A few minor complaints keep it from the perfect 10/10, like the unforgiving death mechanic, and I find most levels impossible to complete in multiplayer mode, but apart fromOverall an extremely enjoyable experience. I would consider the Switch port superior to the others, as it is the one that functions as both a home console and a handheld, with no drawback in performance or graphics. A few minor complaints keep it from the perfect 10/10, like the unforgiving death mechanic, and I find most levels impossible to complete in multiplayer mode, but apart from that, a nostalgia trip for anyone who grew up playing Mario World, Sonic, and I would definitely recommend a purchase!… Expand
  26. Neatqt
    Feb 25, 2019
    5
    Cast: 6/10
    Story: 4/10
    Fun: 7/10
    Gameplay: 5/10

    Not-Recommended
    ----------------------
  27. Emmett601
    Oct 23, 2018
    10
    Every campaign is incredibly solid and unique mechanics to each campaign and really reflects the characters. There's a ton more to do even after just beating the campaigns from challenge mode, to countless "feats", and even New Game+. There's just always more to do in this game than can keep me coming back. And being portable really helps. I can't wait for King of Cards. I don't know whatEvery campaign is incredibly solid and unique mechanics to each campaign and really reflects the characters. There's a ton more to do even after just beating the campaigns from challenge mode, to countless "feats", and even New Game+. There's just always more to do in this game than can keep me coming back. And being portable really helps. I can't wait for King of Cards. I don't know what else you want in a game.
    Also the music is nearly flawless    … Expand
  28. FranciscoM
    Jun 15, 2018
    9
    I never really enjoyed these kinds of games really but Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove became a very adictive and enjoyable experience. Platform games tend to be repetitive and boring after a while but since Shovel Knight has elements of an RPG makes it fresh and a great experience.
  29. greninjaX
    Dec 1, 2018
    10
    shovel knight is to indie games what Mario is to Nintendo. this game is delightful from start to finish. an absolute must play
  30. Reviewjew1738
    Apr 1, 2019
    0
    25 dollars for this hunk of hassid?? i pay for 0.99 dollars for my favorite game angry birds star wars 2 and guess what its my FAVORITE game so..
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Switch Game of 2017
14
#14 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2017
13
#13 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. App Trigger
    Apr 21, 2017
    90
    Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is practically a must-own for anyone who has just picked up a Nintendo Switch. The expected excellent platforming fun, enjoyable storytelling, and impressive art and sound of all three campaigns not only comes all packed together in one title, but also includes better accessibility than ever before on a platform the title feels made for.
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  2. Vooks
    Apr 6, 2017
    100
    Treasure Trove is packed to the brim with content and the different ways you can play through these games is wonderfully broad. Whether its co-op or solo, handheld or docked – it’s up to you. I don’t care. Just go play Shovel Knight.
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  3. FNintendo
    Mar 22, 2017
    90
    Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a compilation of the previous Shovel Knight adventures that gets everything right. Its long lifespan, very detailed and quality level design, as well as its challenges and plot make the Shovel Knight series one of the best contemporary platformers designed in the 8-bit retro style. With Treasure Trove, fans of old school sidescrollers will find everything they could want.
    Read full review
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