Shantae: Half-Genie Hero shines through its hand-drawn animation, vibrant and expressive. Levels lean on backtracking and transformations, which can divide opinion, but the charm and humour hold up. A colourful, generous platformer that ages gracefully.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer1 player7+
Description
Shantae, the half-genie guardian, journeys across Sequin Land to foil the plans of pirate Risky Boots. Published by WayForward, released worldwide in 2017. Dance-based animal transformations, hair-whip attacks, hand-drawn levels, hidden secrets to uncover and a catchy soundtrack.
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Jake Kaufman blends sparkling chiptune with Middle-Eastern-flavored pop, and the result sways as much as it drives the platforming. Every zone carries its own catchy theme, rippling percussion and sugary melodies that match Shantae's playful spirit. These tunes stay stuck in your head long after the controller's down.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Carried by lively hand-drawn animation, the fun springs mainly from the transformation play that reshuffles movement with every power unlocked. The level backtracking will divide players, yet Shantae's handling stays supple and precise. Colorful, generous and brimming with humor, it's a platformer still worth savoring without reservation.
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Morphing into a monkey, an elephant or a mermaid with a single dance step injects a delightful streak of whimsy into every level run. The vibrant scenery, teasing dialogue and cheeky tone keep a grin on your face throughout. Exploration rewards curiosity, the powers flow smoothly into one another, and the whole thing oozes an irresistible pop charm that begs you to poke into every corner.
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Easy"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾1 GB📅03/03/2017
Published by WayForward
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (Nintendo Switch) price, value & rarity
Vibrant, unrestrained platforming defines Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, pitting its half-genie against colourful bosses that lean on her monkey, elephant and crab transformations. Each foe calls for the right form and careful pattern reading, blending dance, magic and agile movement. Humour, shimmering pixel art and a catchy beat make these duels pure joy.
