Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a collection of five games that pay homage to the classic 8-bit and 16-bit era of platformers. Featuring a charming pixel art style, a catchy and dynamic soundtrack, and a simple but satisfying gameplay, Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a retro masterpiece that will appeal to both old and new fans of the genre. In this review, I will explore the gameplay, graphics, sound, and music of each game, and explain why Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a must-have for any platformer lover.
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove includes the following games:
- Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope, the original adventure where you play as the titular hero who must defeat the evil Enchantress and her Order of No Quarter.
- Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows, a spin-off where you play as Plague Knight, one of the bosses from Shovel of Hope, who seeks to create the ultimate potion.
- Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment, a prequel where you play as Specter Knight, another boss from Shovel of Hope, who must recruit the Order of No Quarter for the Enchantress.
- Shovel Knight: King of Cards, another prequel where you play as King Knight, yet another boss from Shovel of Hope, who wants to become the king of all lands by winning a card game called Joustus.
- Shovel Knight: Showdown, a multiplayer mode where you can play as any of the characters from the previous games and compete in various modes and stages.
Gameplay and Graphics
The gameplay of Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is simple but satisfying. Each game has its own unique mechanics and abilities, but they all share the same core elements of jumping, attacking, and collecting treasure. The games are challenging but fair, rewarding skill and exploration. The games also have a lot of secrets, hidden areas, and optional challenges to discover and complete.
The graphics of Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove are colorful and charming, capturing the essence of the retro style. The pixel art is detailed and expressive, and the animations are smooth and fluid. The games also have a lot of variety in their environments, enemies, and bosses, making each level feel fresh and distinct.
Sound and Music
The sound and music of Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove are outstanding, creating a memorable and immersive atmosphere. The sound effects are crisp and fitting, and the voice acting is humorous and well-done. The music is composed by Jake Kaufman and Manami Matsumae, who are both veterans of the video game industry. The music is catchy and epic, blending chiptune and orchestral elements. The music also adapts to the situation, changing the tempo and mood depending on the action.
The Final Verdict
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a must-have for fans of platformers and retro games. It offers five games in one, each with its own story, gameplay, and charm. It is a tribute to the past, but also a modern masterpiece that stands on its own. It is a game that will make you smile, laugh, cry, and cheer. It is a game that will make you feel like a kid again.
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC, and more. It is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Up by the ESRB. It costs $39.99 USD, but it is worth every penny. If you are looking for a game that will make you happy, look no further than Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove.
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