36| Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

Released: October 23rd, 2014

Definitive Version: PC; Also on: PS4, XBO, Wii U, 3DS, AFTV

2D Action-Adventure games are a genre that have come a long way. Ever since Adventure for the Atari 2600 developers struggled on how to balance exploration based level designed and classic action focused gameplay. During the 1980s two notable franchises took a stab at the genre. The Legend of Zelda series and Wonder Boy titles. The former was played in a top down perspective and put heavy focus on the exploration and puzzles, while the latter was played from a side-scrolling perspective and was more focused on the combat and story. Over the years the genre continued to evolve, most notably during the mid-90s with Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Due to 2D falling out of style in the 2000s, the genre began to fade away. However, due to the independent gaming boom, these types of games are currently more plentiful than ever, with seemingly every day there being a new title that is a "spiritual successor" to Symphony of the Night, Metroid, or Wonder Boy.

It's obvious that there is demand for these types of games. Unfortunately, this wasn't always the case. In 2002, an unknown developer who worked on nothing but crappy licensed titles named Wayforward released a game called Shantae. It was modern version of the Wonder Boy games for the Game Boy Color. Despite being well received, the game performed very poorly commercial wise. The developer continued making mediocre licensed games until they got a chance to work on a mainline Contra game. After that game's success they proceeded to roll back focus on licensed titles and put their eyes on utilizing their own IPs. This is when Shantae came back into the equation.

In 2010, Wayforward released Shantae: Risky's Revenge. It was a sequel to the first Shantae game and featured far better graphics, tighter controls, and just overall more ambition. It played much like the Wonder Boy games, specifically Wonder Boy 3. The game had the player control a half genie named Shantae as she traversed the overworld to hop on platforms, beat up baddies, and explore dungeons. It's a pretty good game, but that' s it, it's just "pretty good". It just didn't have that "wow" factor that other games in the genre had. Luckily a few years later Wayforward released a sequel which remedied that.

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse takes everything from the previous game, and polishes it up. It doesn't really add anything new per say. As a matter of fact, it even takes some things away. Most notably is that the game no longer has a transversable Z-axis for the player to hop to and fro platforms in the background and foreground. The game also takes away Shantae's ability to transform into different animals. Rather it takes cues from Super Metroid by having her use special abilities by entering specific inputs. In a way, one can argue that the game takes the "less is more" approach to a degree and it works.

Before continuing on, it would be best to actually explain how these games play if one isn't familiar with the Wonder Boy or even Metroid series. The Shantae titles involve being stationed primarily at a bustling town where you can shop for weapons, items, and upgrades. You can also talk to several NPCs who give hints of where to go and what to do next. You explore the world in a two dimensional side scrolling map as the player hops on platforms and beat up enemies with physical attacks or items. As one explores the map they will eventually come across a dungeon. The protagonist will uncover the depths and solve the puzzles until the dungeon boss is encountered. After that it is a matter of rinse and repeat.

Unlike most modern games in the genre, Pirate's Curse doesn't have most of its areas tied to one large map. Most locations are reached by sailing to them on a ship via a level select screen as Shantae travels to different islands. Each of these islands have a different theme such as zombies, arctic climate, the desert, and what not. There is even a location that seems awfully like Hell. Wayforward didn't take the easy route though. These locations each have a different playstyle. The arctic area heavily relies upon friction when running, the desert location has the option exploring additional parts of the map through sinking sand, and the other areas have their quirks as well. This keeps the game fun and interesting throughout the playthrough.

The world Shantae is also very appealing. I don't want to give too much of the story and lore away, but it's essentially a Saturday morning cartoon, but with lots of girls in skimpy outfits. It stars Shantae who was born from a mortal scientist and a genie. She constantly struggles trying to balance her mixed heritage identity. Her arch nemesis, Risky Boots, is always trying to stir up trouble, so it is up to Shantae to defeat her. The plot is very basic, but it is really the characters and tone that sell it. Everything about the game is so upbeat and everyone is so likeable, so much so it is hard to hate the world the game reveals to you.

The graphics in this title are great. They are admittedly a bit low on resolution side, but there is so much love and charm put into them it is impossible not appreciate them. The sprites look wonderful and animate very well. They just ooze with personality. The surroundings are also detailed giving the game a 32-bit era 2D game vibe. But where the game really stands out is the music. It is comfortably one of the best soundtracks I've heard in gaming. Not only is the music incredibly catchy, but it is also very appropriate with the cartoony and upbeat vibe. Composer Jake Kaufman really outdid himself.

I find that overtime as core gaming continues to grow and take the route of blockbuster entertainment that I am gradually gravitating toward the smaller more independent type of games. Call me old fashion, but I am more of a traditional gamer that longs for the snappy and "fun" gameplay from the '90s heydays. It's great that in todays gaming climate there is room for a variety types of games to shine.