Shantae: Half Genie Hero Review: Great for the Fans

Shantae Half Genie Hero has finally arrived after multiple delays, and its release has been widely cheered. The reviews have been generally positive, and the fans seem happy for the most part. But we here at Cliqist are wondering: how does the final game live up to what was originally pitched in the Kickstarter campaign?

In our review of Shantae: Half Genie Hero, I came to the conclusion that the original campaign from 2013 features a game that is nearly identical to the final product released in 2016. Half Genie Hero is a revelation in terms of Kickstarter projects living up to their promise and then some. Any backer should be happy with the quality of the final game, even if they don’t personally like it. What was pitched in the campaign is exactly what we got.

As for the overall quality of the game, it’s pretty good. It’s not likely to garner many Game of the Year awards or even nominations, however it is a solid title. The art has received a huge upgrade over previous 16 bit games in the series, the characters are engaging with genuinely funny dialog, and the music is some of the best you’ll find in gaming in 2016. That’s not to say the game isn’t without its flaws. The challenge mostly comes from trial and error, the game is far too easy towards the end, and the plot is paper thin at best.

Shantae Half Genie Hero is one for the fans. If you enjoyed previous Shantae games, or similar games like Shovel Knight or Freedom Planet, this genie’s for you. If however you prefer your games to have a more consistent difficulty, more plot, or just want a little more bang for your buck, you might want to give this one a pass.