As exceedingly rad as Shovel Knight is, the radness velocity only climbs upon the realization that Yacht Club Games is still digging up free add-ons, updates and treats that will keep the game fresh for quite some time. We previously learned that the Plague of Shadows expansion is on its way, but Yacht Club has newly announced the game's Challenge Mode will be hopping in right alongside it.
According to an update on Yacht Club Games's website, the Challenge Mode will feature a variety of different tasks to test the mettle of Shovel Knight experts:
Prove your mettle by taking on new scenarios and returning foes alike. Use every bit of Shovel Knight knowledge you have to take on speed run challenges, boss rematches, and other rule-benders… and expect some tricky puzzles too!
This appears to be the same Challenge Mode that was promised on Kickstarter, and it's not expected to rest on its laurels upon release. As more updates are added to the base game, Yacht Club Games has stated the Challenge Mode will grow as well.
Yacht Club's news update also took time to mention the progress on Plague of Shadows. The developers say they are currently working on "alchemy items, upgrades, and overarching systems" after being pleased with the feedback received at PAX East.
Players in Japan will also get to take up their shovels sometime in the future, as it was announced a version of Shovel Knight in that region is planned to proceed and a publisher has been chosen. There will still be plenty of work ahead, but this also means Japanese will be added as a language option to all versions of the game. Think of it as a learning opportunity, like Rosetta Stone, only with more pixellated trowels to the head.
Are you hyped to take on new challenges in Shovel Knight, or are you waiting more for something else on the horizon? Let us know below.
Comments 33
I'm ready for the updates. One of my favorite gaming experiences from last year, though I haven't played it in a while. I need to play through it again to sharpen my shovel skills again.
More Shovel Knight is good Shovel Knight in my books.
But when...?
I'm with @Noonch on this one. I keep hearing about this update but it's still not here, I'm starting to get a bit antsy
Awesome, I wonder if the Japanese release would get them to see why some westerners want him in Smash.
I have been looking for a reason to get back into the amazing game that is Shovel Knight and I think this might just do it!
I think I'd enjoy a Challenge mode, as long as the challenges aren't as difficult as the achievements that accompanied the game's launch (beat the whole game without dying... Are you kidding me?!)
I'm stoked. Can't wait to give Shovel Knight another whirl
This is cool and all and I love the game, but I kinda want them to make another game now. :/
Not saying I won't enjoy all the extras coming up. I backed it and I'm just totally satisfied by the game already released.
I'm wary of this. Shovel Knight disappointed me already, so I'll hope this adds some replayability to the game.
I'm just waiting for the cartridge
Good. Japan seriously needs to play this.
@C-Threep I've done that Feat on Hard Mode and honestly, I say it's a relief on the normal difficulty.
I live in Japan and have been wanting to play this game for a while. I'm excited, since there are so many western indie games that never get a release here (still waiting for VVVVVV). Until recently Nintendo didn't even give games that did get a release much promotion (the bit in the latest Direct was a surprise).
Now, my question: in the tags it just has the WiiU listed, but isn't this also on the 3ds? I only have a 3ds and want to play this game. Plus, even though the WiiU audience is growing, having it on both will give the game more chance to succeed and push for more games like this to get released here.
They better hurry up I'm getting of waiting.
I hope this will be like the mini-challenges of Mega Man 10. I love those bite-size challenges.
so many frustrations, so many poorly dug graves
...Really need to finish this game before the update. lol
I'm diggin it!
@DarthNocturnal You can tell where the ground is if you look for rain splattera. Where the rain splatters is solid ground.
@Tsuchinoko I've been waiting for Shovel Knight to get released over here forever, too. High-five!
@Kaze_Memaryu Why would you like this if you didn't like the original?
I'm gonna have to pick this game up... I don't actually buy too many games, but even I have a bit of backlog building up! Good times
@hiptanaka I never said I don't like it, dunno where you got that. However, Shovel Knight wastes a criminal amount of potential in too many ways. I simply hope that Yacht Club Games manages to realize this with the DLC and make the game more lasting.
Brilliant to make all these free updates. It keeps the game in the news well after its release. Now, I still need to see about getting my own copy.
@BlackSpy Bit of a stretch, just start with being happy with more content in Shovel Knight.
The Japanese release is still a way off.
I really enjoyed Shovel Knight so I am looking forward at the very least to the Plague Knight expansion.
Any online multiplayer will be awasome.
Leaderboards of best scores doesn't count.
I didn't realise this wasn't out I Japan yet,It makes our wait in Europe seem like nothing.
Gimme that! Now!
@Tsuchinoko You could play vvvvvv on steam.
Yes, it is on 3ds as well as wii u.
Sounds good!
I'm fine with any good reason to dive back into that gem.
Rather play as Shield Knight than Plague Knight, though I'll take what I can get.
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