Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

 Wii U
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 48 Ratings

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  • Summary: Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is a belly dancing, hair-whipping HD adventure from WayForward, makers of Ducktales Remastered, Adventure Time, and Contra 4.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Nintendojo
    Feb 8, 2017
    91
    WayForward proved its considerable talent at creating fun, colorful, retro-inspired platformers long ago and each Shantae title has simply reinforced that reputation. It should come as little surprise that Half-Genie Hero continues that tradition. While some longtime fans might be somewhat turned off by the more contemporary visuals and streamlined level design, others will undoubtedly enjoy these changes. Regardless, though, the core gameplay should be more than enough to keep the majority of gamers satisfied. So, whether this is your first Shantae game or your fourth, Half-Genie Hero is a fantastic platformer that’s a pleasure to see, hear, and play.
  2. Nintendo Life
    Dec 21, 2016
    90
    Half-Genie Hero is exactly the game that fans of this series were clamoring for. The controls have never been so tight, the new visual style works wonders, and the writing is consistently funny and creative.
  3. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Jan 4, 2017
    90
    Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is a Kickstarter game that really delivers on its promises, and should make every single backer feel like their money was well spent. [Issue #25 – January/February 2017, p.74]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Vandal
    Dec 25, 2016
    85
    This is great news for platformer fans. It's not perfect, but it's incredibly enjoyable and one of the best games of the series.
  5. FNintendo
    Feb 8, 2017
    80
    The Shantae series reinvents itself and in Half-Genie Hero we find a healthy renovation that took a risk and it paid off, as this game brings very welcomed variety and a new visual and animation style. Half-Genie Hero will fit very well both with Shantae followers and with those who appreciate a good platforming experience, complete with backtracking elements.
  6. Destructoid
    Dec 18, 2016
    75
    There's no denying it's one of the most beautiful 2D games I've ever seen, and it might have taken the title easily if Owlboy hadn't come out just a couple of months ago. It ran flawlessly on the Wii U, so I have no doubt it'll look just as breathtaking on more modern consoles and PCs.
  7. Gameblog.fr
    Jan 4, 2017
    70
    Shantae looks lovelier than ever in high definition, swaying hips more voluptuously to boot. However the wonderful belly dancer lost some charm through her cartoonish traits, despite a wider array of powers. Inspired by the trends, particularly crowdfunding, Half-Genie Hero openly embraces an episodic structure, confining exploration meanwhile. A more straight(way)forward approach, but this episode falls a little short in comparison to the scale of the previous trilogy, unless upcoming DLCs prove otherwise.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. hirschlord
    Mar 16, 2019
    10
    very good metroidvania , very good painted graphics , very good levels and cute transformations :D
    only later they could do more levels and    very good metroidvania , very good painted graphics , very good levels and cute transformations :D
    only later they could do more levels and better looking bosses    … Expand
  2. FrankoAmmo
    Jul 5, 2017
    9
    I have played every Shantae's games and this is probably the best one! The abilities are very nice and the gameplay is near perfect. One ofI have played every Shantae's games and this is probably the best one! The abilities are very nice and the gameplay is near perfect. One of the best platformer games out there. People do not realize how many good titles there are on the Wii U....I personally do not like long games....It took me about 6-7 hours to beat this one which is ok by me.… Expand
  4. lirebag
    Dec 23, 2016
    9
    A fabulous adventure full of hd visuals, good level design and beautiful characters. Perhaps the game duration is short, the price and theA fabulous adventure full of hd visuals, good level design and beautiful characters. Perhaps the game duration is short, the price and the adventure make the value every cent.… Expand
  5. Retro_indepecat
    Sep 7, 2017
    8
    Llàstima que l'edició física no arribes aquí, però el joc en si entra pels ulls, es molt agradable de jugar, amb un nivell de dificultatLlàstima que l'edició física no arribes aquí, però el joc en si entra pels ulls, es molt agradable de jugar, amb un nivell de dificultat correcte, i amb un argument que enganxa. BON JOC!!… Expand
  6. sarisa
    Sep 27, 2019
    8
    What other ppl said is so much true about this game. This is simply great metroidvania platformer and must have for Wii U owners.

    My only    What other ppl said is so much true about this game. This is simply great metroidvania platformer and must have for Wii U owners.

    My only plea is random "stuttering" this game experiences, which really interrupts gameplay. Like if it tried to read randomly assets during gameplay. Maybe it's my HDD, maybe not, but the fact is that it's the only game on Wii U that lags in that pesky way.    … Expand
  7. TheCodeIsRed
    Feb 28, 2017
    7
    Love this series but this game really disappointed me. Yes it's beautiful, yes it's fun and yes it's Shantae but it just feels a bit hollow.Love this series but this game really disappointed me. Yes it's beautiful, yes it's fun and yes it's Shantae but it just feels a bit hollow. The game can be beat in under 4 hours, has cool but ultimately useless transformations, a really useless extra mode and no Risky mode!! Also if you play the game right by the end your invincible and can beat the final level in minutes! After all that your punished oddly with a HARD final final level and a lacklustre ending! Gripes aside HD Shantae is absolutely beautiful and the game plays perfectly! There's a small bit of challenge but nothing like in the past. Good but not great.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best Wii U Game of 2016
10
#10 Most Discussed Wii U Game of 2016
5
#5 Most Shared Wii U Game of 2016