Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse
Cover art
Developer(s)	WayForward Technologies Inti Creates
Composer(s)	Jake Kaufman
Series	Shantae
Platform(s)	Nintendo eShop (Nintendo 3DS, Wii U) Microsoft Windows
Release date(s)	Nintendo 3DS NA October 23, 2014[1] PAL February 5, 2015[2] Wii U NA December 25, 2014[3] PAL February 5, 2015[2] Microsoft Windows WW April 23, 2015[4]
Genre(s)	Platform
Mode(s)	Single-player
Distribution	Digital download

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is a platform game by WayForward Technologies and Inti Creates for the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U. It is the third game in the Shantae series, following Shantae: Risky's Revenge. In North America, the game was released on the 3DS eShop on October 23, 2014 and on the Wii U eShop on December 25, 2014. In PAL regions, it was released on both platforms on February 5, 2015.^[2] The game was also released on Steam on April 23, 2015.^[4] The game was announced in the November 2012 edition of Nintendo Power.^[5] A fourth entry in the series, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, is already in development.^[6]

Plot

Following the events of Shantae: Risky's Revenge, in which the half-genie girl Shantae was forced to defeat the embodiment of her own powers, Shantae has been adjusting to a life without genie powers. However, one day, Shantae is approached by her old nemesis, Risky Boots, who informs her that the Pirate Master, a powerful evil tyrant who was sealed away long ago by the genies of Sequin Land, was preparing to return and spell doom for all of Sequin Land.

Despite not having her powers, Shantae strikes up a reluctant alliance with Risky to thwart the Pirate Master's revival.^[7]

Gameplay

Players take control of the half-genie Shantae, as she tries to prevent the Pirate Master's return and save Sequin Land. Unlike previous games, in which Shantae used her genie magic to take various forms, she must now seek out various Pirate Gear to progress through the game. These items include pistols, scimitars and cannons.

Many of these items have multiple uses. The Genie Lamp can be used to gather dark magic or grab gems out of reach.^[8] Pirate Gear can be upgraded throughout the game to make them more effective.^[9]

New and old locations throughout Sequin Land appear. Shantae and the Pirate's Curse was said to be twice as large as Shantae: Risky's Revenge and that the player has to traverse new areas such as the underworld and the heavens. The map system from the previous installment was also changed to a more Metroid-style map system and like Metroid, there are hidden paths.^[10]

The game also features 3D effects similar to Mighty Switch Force!, another Wayforward title on the Nintendo 3DS.^[11]

Development

The game was announced in the November 2012 edition of Nintendo Power.^[12] On May 29, 2014, WayForward Technologies announced that more info about the game would be revealed at the E3 2014.^[13] Just prior to Nintendo's own E3 2014 presentation, WayForward revealed to the Nintendo Life online news outlet that an HD variant of Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is coming to Wii U.^[14]

Reception

Like its predecessors, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse received critical acclaim, with scores of 83.75% on GameRankings^[15] and 82% on Metacritic.^[16] Hardcore Gamer gave the game a 4.5 out of 5, saying "Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is another exemplary entry in a short but long-lived line of exploration-driven platformers. The gameplay is fun, varied and challenging, and will test the skills of even the most hardcore platforming fans."^[17]

Accolades

References

External links

• Official website
• Shantae at MobyGames