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Post by Imperial Khador on Feb 11, 2016 10:14:34 GMT
The Shantae series originally debuted all the way back in 2002 on the GBC. More recently, there have been a few games for the DSi and 3DS which have also been ported to other systems. Shantae, the series hero, is a belly-dancing half-genie, and the games themselves fall into the Metroidvania classification. I've included some CGR videos, including TJ's reviews of the first 3 games, and his discussing the second game (Risky's Revenge) with Mark: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqmTMyE56KQwww.youtube.com/watch?v=64sioknD8Qowww.youtube.com/watch?v=zGkrPdN582gwww.youtube.com/watch?v=aKRvxQCoTyAI've had the original title sitting on my 3DS virtual console for a while, though I haven't played much past the first boss. However, I recently picked up the PS4 port of the second title (Risky's Revenge: Director's Cut) for a few dollars during the December PSN sale, and felt in the mood for a metroidvania game. I'm pretty impressed. The game is colourful with interesting characters and responsive controls. I finished it in two sessions spread out across about 5 hours. It shows that this is originally a DSi game, with the sprites appearing a bit blocky on a larger screen, but this is no worse than any classic-era game played larger television, and the animation is very fluid. The game clips along at a good pace, and I never felt bored. I'd solidly recommend this one. I'll probably give the first one another try next time I'm craving this sort of game. |
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Post by spidershinobi on Feb 11, 2016 19:36:10 GMT
Shantae... Did you know she's a part of videogame culture despite the fact that amount of manufactured GBC cartridges of her first game can't possibly explain it? I'm an example of this weird popularity: I like her, but I don't really own any of her games (only watched the first one 2 years ago); I'm just patiently waiting for Wayforward to finish Half-Genie Hero...
Despite her mysterious popularity she's often part of discussions such as that voting for another character in Smash Bros., so even if there aren't enough people voting for her she's still going to be name called here and there.
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Post by Imperial Khador on Feb 12, 2016 1:15:07 GMT
I don't know how popular she is in general, but she definitely seems to be Wayforward's most popular original character. I can see why, as the games are colourful, and the character designs are distinctive.
I played a bit more of the original GBC game today (just past the first dungeon, with the monkey transformation), and so far the game seems ambitious, but flawed. A few thoughts:
- I tend to prefer my metroidvania games with a map, but the overworld here is simple enough that I don't think it suffers
- A lot of basic enemies on the overworld seem way too tough, taking 8+ attacks to kill as they chase you back and forth. This was present in Risky's Revenge, but not as noticeable, as I found them easy to avoid.
- I dislike that transformation magic, as well as text bubbles don't halt enemy movement. I've died a few times now after getting an item because enemies are shooting projectiles while text is read out, and then I'm returned to gameplay taking damage. Unlike the platforming, which is very solid, and I feel like death is my own fault, I'd say this is a design flaw. I'm glad it was changed for Risky's Revenge
- I wish the inventory screen catalogued the fighting equipment that I've bought, the same way it does the dance moves. I can see picking this game up after a while and forgetting a bunch of abilities.
- The spin kick is a bit odd. It seems like it would be for attacking enemies above Shantae, but that just seems to damage her. It works as a powerful attack at point blank range though.
- I really like the town design, with third person over the shoulder for Shantae.
Overall, I'm impressed, but I don't know that it is going to hold my attention enough to play any further. I'm definitely glad that Wayforward chose to bring the series back after such a long hiatus, and that it has proven popular enough for a few more titles.
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Cervantes
Off-Brand Transformable Robot
A former Incompetent Evil Commander (XP: 2423)
Posts: 2,863
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Post by Cervantes on Feb 12, 2016 1:21:49 GMT
The games are very good, but besides that, the character is just very, very likable. That's mostly because the animation is so good; it has that comical feel you see in the Metal Slug games. Also, everything in the game is just very... joyous: every character is smiling, dancing, singing... It's more or less like in Shovel Knight, it just seems that the characters are happy to be in the game. The antire art/animation style just makes the games pleasant to play.
I bought "Pirate's Curse" during Steam's Christmas Sale, but still haven't played through it. Will certainly do this month.
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Post by Imperial Khador on Feb 12, 2016 2:28:48 GMT
That's a good way to describe it. The whole world seems very joyful.
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Cervantes
Off-Brand Transformable Robot
A former Incompetent Evil Commander (XP: 2423)
Posts: 2,863
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Post by Cervantes on Feb 12, 2016 2:52:29 GMT
@imperial Khador - Most noticeable in the animation is the fact that the characters never stop. When Shantae is standing, she keeps moving her body very lively, almost dancing; when she crouchs, there's that small animation of her shaking her butt (also notice how she closes her eyes a bit). Most developers would, at most, just make a small "breathing" animation in any instance; Shantae, on the other hand, is always moving her entire body. All that applies to other characters and contributes to the lively appearance of the world.
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Post by Imperial Khador on May 13, 2016 23:10:05 GMT
With the Friends of Nintendo Humble Bundle, I picked up Shantae and the Pirate's Curse on the 3DS and the Wii U, and played through it on the Wii U over the last few days.
I think overall, I enjoyed it more than Risky's Revenge, but it is definitely a refinement on the formula from that game.
The play area is now fully 16:9, since the game was designed with the 3DS in mind. This is welcome when playing on a console as well. The platforming continues to be very responsive, and the characters and story are still joyful and likable.
The element of multiple overlapping screens was removed after Risky's Revenge, and Pirate's Curse has no swimming sections either. Gone as well is the single overworld map, with the various islands being disconnected. None of this makes the game any less enjoyable though, and I would heartily recommend it.
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Cervantes
Off-Brand Transformable Robot
A former Incompetent Evil Commander (XP: 2423)
Posts: 2,863
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Post by Cervantes on May 13, 2016 23:24:47 GMT
Oh man, I still haven't played it! The general opinion seems to be that Pirate's Curse is really the best one. I don't mind losing the overlapping screens (they were confusing); I just hope the disconnected islands have as much to explore as the single world from Risky's Revenge.
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Post by Imperial Khador on May 14, 2016 3:14:08 GMT
I would say that there is at least as much to explore. The game took me 7 hours to complete, compared to 5 for Risky's Revenge. I would also say that the Pirate tools became part of standard movement quite easily, as opposed to the different animal forms from Risky's Revenge. I'm pretty confident that you'll enjoy it when you get around to it Cervantes.  |
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spooie
Authority Wing
Posts: 132 
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Post by spooie on May 14, 2016 3:38:18 GMT
I have the original game on Gameboy Color, but that's the only one I played. Don't think I ever got too far into it, quite honestly.
The popularity of the character I think is due to the game being one of the better and most advanced games on the GBC, as well as the fact that it was one of the last titles and there aren't all that many copies out there. People are more familiar of it because people talk about this quite a bit.
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Post by Imperial Khador on May 14, 2016 4:33:10 GMT
I didn't end up finishing the GBC original either, but I wouldn't let that hold you back from the rest of the series, as both Risky's Revenge and Pirate's Curse are head and shoulders above the original.
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Cervantes
Off-Brand Transformable Robot
A former Incompetent Evil Commander (XP: 2423)
Posts: 2,863
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Post by Cervantes on May 14, 2016 4:59:16 GMT
By the way, have you guys played Monster World 4? It's the spiritual predecessor to Shantae, and certainly an influence (especially considering how one of the pixel artists from Shantae, Konjak, has done quite a few paintings of MW4). It's probably my favourite Mega Drive game ever, and it sadly was a japanese exclusive until very recently - it was oficially released in the West with the Monster World Collection on XBLA.
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Post by Imperial Khador on May 14, 2016 5:41:30 GMT
I have not, but I shall put it on my list |
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