Shantae Half Genie Hero

The Shantae series is one of the last great platformer franchises left in the industry, full of fun ideas, challenging gameplay, and a lighthearted atmosphere. The fourth game in the franchise, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero continues to deliver the classic action/platformer experience that fans have come to expect, but with a handful of modern twists. From improved graphics to new gameplay mechanics, Half-Genie Hero does its best to innovate without straying too far from the established formula. Originally funded via a Kickstarter campaign, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero was made with fans in mind first. By taking some liberties with the core gameplay and not being afraid to try new things, developer Wayforward Technologies has created a great game for all players.

Main Game Features

• Five huge side-scrolling levels
• Mixture of action, platforming, and puzzle-solving
• Unlockable modes and special moves

Story

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero once again puts us in control of the lead heroine Shantae, a half-human, half-genie adventurer with a storied past. Deep asleep in her home-village called Scuttle Town, Shantae experiences a prophetic dream wherein she learns about a great evil slowly approaching the land. The next morning, Scuttle Town is attacked by the longtime villain Risky Boots, forcing Shantae to focus her efforts on defending her home. Although they endure the initial attack, Scuttle Town is left mostly defenseless, with the exception of a developmental system known as the Dynamo. In order to complete the Dynamo and ensure Scuttle Town's safety, Shantae must travel across the seas of Sequin Land to find the missing pieces for the invention.

Gameplay

While the plot is fun and packed with memorable characters and scenes, it's the gameplay that makes Shantae: Half-Genie Hero worth your time. Just like in previous Shantae games, you'll explore a series of vivid levels, battling enemies and finding new powers. There are a variety of upgrades you can find, magic abilities to use, and secrets to discover. However, levels in Half-Genie Hero are a bit more straightforward than before and are meant to be replayed once you've progressed further through the game. Instead of backtracking constantly and searching for specific items, a lot of Half-Genie Hero is focused on action, with tough platforming sections and plenty of enemies. While you'll only be able to whip foes with your hair at first, you'll quickly amass new magical spells for both offensive and defensive strategies.

However, the real star of the show is the transformation system, which allows Shantae to instantly become an animal of her choosing. Each animal form allows Shantae to traverse the level differently, opening up access to previously blocked areas. For example, the mermaid form can effortlessly swim through underwater sections, while the monkey can grip to walls, making platforming sections notably easier.

There are over a dozen unique transformations to discover, ranging from incredibly useful to ridiculous and funny. Either way, it's tons of fun to experiment with different transformations and uncover some exceptionally well-hid secrets.

Pros

• Bright and joyful visuals
• Satisfying challenge
• Fun character transformations

Cons

• Objectives can be confusing at times
• No more pixel-art visuals