Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
" Engaging action-adventure indie with tight controls and retro charm but occasional unfair knockback "
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove Review
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is widely praised as a nostalgic yet polished 2D platformer that successfully captures the spirit of classic NES games like Mega Man and DuckTales. Players appreciate its tight controls, varied gameplay across multiple campaigns, and charming retro-style graphics. The game offers a substantial amount of content through its main campaign and expansions, each delivering unique mechanics and stories, with Specter of Torment and King of Cards often highlighted as standout experiences.
While the game is celebrated for its accessibility and engaging level design, some players note issues such as occasional frustrating difficulty spikes, knockback mechanics leading to unfair deaths, and repetitive level layouts in certain campaigns. Criticisms also include limited save options, inconsistent control responsiveness, and controversy over DLC exclusivity. Despite these flaws, the majority find the game highly enjoyable and recommend it, especially for fans of retro platformers seeking a modern homage with a rich soundtrack and creative gameplay.
Highlights
Players consistently praise the game's tight and responsive controls, which enhance the classic platforming experience. The retro NES-style graphics and charming pixel art evoke nostalgia while feeling fresh. The diverse campaigns offer unique gameplay styles and stories, particularly Specter of Torment and King of Cards. The soundtrack is frequently described as incredible and fitting, elevating the overall atmosphere. Additionally, the game's accessibility and gradual introduction of mechanics make it welcoming for both newcomers and veterans.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the knockback mechanics causing unfair deaths and occasional lack of telegraphed boss attacks, leading to frustration. Some players find the level design repetitive across certain campaigns, especially Plague of Shadows. The absence of a save & quit feature detracts from convenience. Control responsiveness is questioned, particularly with Plague Knight's mechanics. Controversy surrounds the DLC exclusivity of Plague of Shadows and the pricing perceived as high for the content offered. Additionally, some find the on-demand invincibility artifacts reduce challenge and fun.
Pros
- • Tight and responsive controls enhance classic platforming experience.
- • Retro NES-style pixel art graphics evoke nostalgic charm.
- • Diverse campaigns provide unique gameplay and stories.
- • Incredible soundtrack complements game atmosphere perfectly.
- • Accessible difficulty curve welcomes both new and veteran players.
- • Expansions like Specter of Torment and King of Cards stand out.
- • Low hardware requirements ensure smooth performance on most devices.
Cons
- • Knockback mechanics can cause unfair deaths near hazards.
- • Repetitive level layouts in some campaigns reduce freshness.
- • No save & quit feature limits player convenience.
- • Plague Knight’s controls feel less responsive and clunky.
- • Boss attacks sometimes lack clear telegraphs, causing frustration.
- • On-demand invincibility artifacts can reduce gameplay challenge.
- • DLC exclusivity for Plague of Shadows frustrates some players.
Rating Criteria
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the complete Shovel Knight collection, containing all 5 games in the epic saga! Dig, blast, slash, and bash your way through a fantastical, 8-bit inspired world of pixel-perfect platforming, memorable characters, and world-class action-adventure gameplay.
