Shovel Knight

Overview

Shovel Knight continues 2014′s fantastic indie lineup, but its polish, creativity, beauty and charm might just make it the pick of the bunch. Yacht Club Games has delivered more than anyone ever could have hoped for, and created an experience that gamers young and old will thoroughly enjoy.

-- As reviewed by HardcoreGamer

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 22 expert reviews

Excellent:

14
Good:

5
Average:

3
Bad:

0

8.5

User Score

Based on 11,880 reviews
as rated by users

TechSpot is supported by its audience. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Last revision on October 14, 2022

Reviewers Liked

Expertly designed
Gorgeous, 8-bit-faithful graphics and soundtrack
Satisfying, well-crafted gameplay
Lots of upgrades

Reviewers Didn't Like

Planned features beyond the main campaign not implemented at launch

Expert reviews and ratings

By Gaming Illustrated on April 06, 2017 91

Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment is a fun re-imagining of the Shovel Knight world and its gameplay mechanics. The unique play style of Specter Knight makes it a delight to revisit the different Knights' lands and make fighting the Order of No Quarter...

By gamingcentral.in on January 24, 2017 87

An ode to the games of yesteryear, a beautiful love letter to 2D platforming genre and a mesmerizing 8-bit masterpiece that was made possible with the help of a community willing to take a risk. The game I'm talking about is the amazing “Shovel Knight”....

By New Game Network on February 11, 2015 75

A difficult, fun, and fitting tribute to a simpler time, Shovel Knight can't quite dig its way to becoming an all-time...

By MacLife on November 25, 2014 100

Shovel Knight is a fantastic retro platformer from beginning to end. If you like console-style games, you’ll dig this one.

By PCGamer on July 02, 2014 80

The downward attack from DuckTales, grabbing ladders midair like Mega Man, or the weird way The Legend of Zelda II’s NPCs sprint through town. I don’t think those games are nearly as good as the games that we’re playing today, but Shovel Knight is a beautiful tribute to what was best about them.

By PC Gamer on July 02, 2014 80

Shovel Knight lovingly recreates the simple pleasures of 8-bit platformers and improves on them with modern ideas that make every level different and worth...

By USGamer on June 27, 2014 100

I went in expecting good things because I have a lot of respect for the talent at Yacht Club Games, most of whom got their start at WayForward; but I honestly wasn't expecting a game that feels so modern while also being a loving tribute to the medium's past (not to mention hilarious). What a wonderful and unexpected surprise.

By PCMag on June 26, 2014 90

Shovel Knight is one of the best "8-bit" video games to come along since the actual days of 8-bit systems.

By Polygon on June 26, 2014 90

We don't love the brands of our youth, we love the characters, the settings, the way actually playing those games made us feel. Shovel Knight doesn't settle for acknowledging those aspects; it includes them around every single corner. Shovel Knight is so much more than a love letter to the genre - it is, in fact, the kind of game people write love letters about.

By HardcoreGamer on June 26, 2014 90

By IGN on June 26, 2014 90

Shovel Knight is my favorite game of 2014 so far, and a true testament to the power of the old-school. Whether you were weaned on an NES like I was, or don't yet know what you missed in a time before you were born, Shovel Knight is an absolute must-play.

By GameInformer on June 26, 2014 88

Indie throwbacks to video games of the early ‘80s are a dime a dozen, but Yacht Club Games successfully rises to the top. The tried-and-true game design principles and elegant checkpoint system make Shovel Knight worth a try no matter which era of gaming you prefer.

By Joystiq on June 26, 2014 90

I'll admit that my glasses are exceptionally rosy when it comes to the games that Shovel Knight is trying to emulate, but the point is that Shovel Knight goes beyond simply embodying the traits of its inspiration. It builds upon them, introducing us to an eccentric world that was clearly crafted with care

By VentureBeat on June 26, 2014 93

Shovel Knight isn’t just a nostalgic act. Yes, nostalgia plays a big part in its charm, but it’s an expertly crafted action-platformer that’s just as enjoyable to play as Mega Man or Castlevania. Old school gamers will love Shovel Knight’s retro sensibilities, but they’ll also appreciate its modern touches.

Load More Reviews…