#Shantae petrify trial#

Backgrounds are beautiful and gives each level a uniqueness. The sprite style of the game is fluid, with tons of animations for even minor characters. It wouldn’t be fair to talk about the level design without discussing the art style more. Most classic, timeless games utilize this same sort of design, like Megaman or Super Mario Bros.

#Shantae petrify trial#

Through trial and error, the game coaxed me into crouching and wanting to move forward, resulting in Shantae crawling beneath the bullets! This sort of design permeates the entire game, introducing concepts and then slowly coaxing the player to mastery.

Being that the rate of fire was fairly high, jumping between the bursts normally resulted in a hit and I needed to get closer due to the hair whip being at close range. My first time through I took a few hits and wanted to not die, so I threw the analog stick down, and low and behold Shantae can crouch. The first level for instance, has a moment where an enemy fires a line of bullets at chest level at a steady paced, three-shot burst. Level design is precise and teaches the player the mechanics through situations, rather than a tutorial. Probably one of the coolest level select screens around. Along her journey, Shantae also gains some sweet pirate gear, like Risky Boots’ Pistol or a sail to float on a breeze. Instead of a sword or a blaster, Shantae utilizes her long, purple hair, cracking it like a whip of justice. Once a player masters the super tight controls, Shantae can make her way through levels with incredible agility. The platforming is a lot like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, if Alucard moved like Megaman. Pirate’s Curse is akin to Metroid and Castlevania, in which the player acquires items and skills to reach new areas. Only the Pirate Master, a long dead villain of old, could be up to such dark happenings and the now human Shantae, Risky Boots, and several other characters set out to purge the world of evil.

Risky Boots joins with Shantae, after one of her Tinkerbat minions transforms due to dark magic. Now, Shantae is plagued by a terrible dream and runs into her rival, the pirate Risky Boots. Delightfully animated characters play out a simple, but timeless story of a Half-Genie who has lost her powers from the results of the first two installments. Starting up Shantae, it immediately draws one in with its art style. Shantae battles the Ammo Baron, the game’s first boss.