Shovel Knight is the debut game from Yacht Club Games, a studio founded by ex-employees of WayForward and with a goal of producing retro-styled games that live up to modern standards. Its pixel-based 2D action platformer — coming to the Wii U and 3DS eShop platforms — has enjoyed rave previews, while a few members of the Nintendo Life staff count themselves among those that funded the project back in its successful crowdfunding days.
We've been gradually introduced to new characters as development has progressed, and the latest to be revealed is Shield Knight, above. Below is the official description from the most recent update sent to backers.
Sometimes the best offense is a good defense, and Shield Knight knows it. Wielding a pair of Asymmetrical Shields, she deflects both melee and projectile attacks easily before getting into range and crushing her foes! For years, Shield Knight and Shovel Knight were inseparable partners in adventuring; with their expert use of unconventional weapons, they worked as one. Now, Shield Knight’s fate is unknown, but Shovel Knight’s goal is clear: he must journey to find Shield Knight, his lost beloved.
Pros: Confident, Powerful, and Tenacious
Cons: Occasional Recklessness
It's clear that Shield Knight ain't no Princess Peach, which is good to see, though she's still missing. As a key character, however, it'll be interesting to see whether Shield Knight will be playable as the lead character instead of Shovel Knight, similar to the option to rescue Clive as Ms. Johnson in Gunman Clive. One of the promised features in the many smashed stretch goals was a gender swap mode, and though it isn't explicitly stated that Shield Knight will be that female hero, it seems logical.
We'll see how that pans out, but in the meantime we look forward to giving this a whirl when it's released; it's targeted for a September arrival. Below are two new screens from Lost City - Mole Knight’s domain too; those pixels...
Comments 22
This still looks really cool and just keeps getting better! Can't wait!
Looking forward to it!
Shield knight..? Doesn't really go with the theme, they could have come up with something better IMO. Pitchfork Knight or something.
I greatly look forward to picking this game up for my Wii U in September, looks really fun!
The pixel art strikes a balance of looking great and feeling like it came from the NES era. Very much looking forward to this game. One cool item also mentioned in the update is that the people at the $75 funding level have been participating in brainstorming sessions that have been going very well (for the playable villains). The team seems to have stuck a nice balance in the kickstarter rewards as well.
@19Robb92 Hmm... a pitchfork is a traditional weapon actually or would be hard to distinguish from a trident, however a shield, like a shovel, is not traditionally a weapon. I do see your point that it is used in combat (I think that's your point), but I have to say I've never seen a hero with two shields only for combat and I've seen plenty with tridents and pitchforks. So, in coming up with a fresh take on a hero I'm of the opinion that they did it again.
@19Robb92 Maybe Rake Knight?
@19Robb92
I agree with you, sounds common, as every knight must use a shield. Maybe Mirror Knight, playing off the old cartoon thing that mirrors could deflect laser beams. Still not a deal breaker.
If she is missing and he is looking for her, it sounds to me that she may be playable in a new game+, after he rescues her at the end of the game.
Hoe knight? That may have bad connotations...
@Happy_Mask Like she used the big shield to float over water or something?
Retro games are great for their nostalgia inducing fun but I also think they are important in this age of incredibly detailed HD visuals because they can focus on what games should be about: fun and gameplay. Don't get me wrong, I love gorgeous HD graphics, but a dev team only has so much budget and manpower. I wonder if the increasing focus on graphics robs from the other areas of development that are neglected. Retro games like this can focus on the basics of a fun game. Graphical realism is no substitute for a game that makes you smile.
Wow this keeps looking more and more like Megaman, looking forward to it!
Can't wait for this to come out, looks awesome! A knight that uses a shovel, and 8-bit inspired graphics, only one word for it: epic
See, now this is a Kickstarter that looks to be properly delivering on all it's promises, unlike some others I won't mention...
Although, I'm looking at you, Tim Schafer.
I think she looks rad! Hope we get to play as her!
I don't like the NES look it is awful.
If the game is great I will still get it but don't copy the NES if you want 8 bit copy the TG16 look or 16 bit copy the Neo Geo look.
(Look at the Arcade version of Popeye / Ghost's and Goblins and compare to the NES versions.)
(Or compare how Megaman NES versions look compared to the Genesis Megaman - the Wily Wars sprites or even the difference between the TG16 original Megaman rom hack and the NES version.)
I can put up with the NES limitations if the game is totally great like Crisis Force but copying the bad bits that makes your eyes hate you is not a good way forward. (Only reason for it I suppose is if you want to do the sprites yourself and you are useless at art maybe it is easier).
Everything about this game excites me. It will be a day one purchase for me!
@unrandomsam Arcades were a lot more powerful than consoles (probably are still, but I'm not entirely sure on that), so of course it's gonna look better. Same with 16-bit Genesis vs 8-bit Nes...
I love shields and characters who use shields as their main weapons so this game has totally won points with me.
@19Robb92 Platter Knight
Awesome-age!
I don't like these screens. They are too NES like. A SNES would fit the game better. Nevertheless I still want it.
That's pretty rad; I do hope she'll be playable in a similar manner to Ms. Johnson.
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