Shovel Knight |OT| The 8-bit adventures of Butt Butt Goes to Europe & Australia
- Thread starter maxcriden
- Start date
Truth be told, going back to a bit of megaman, I highly prefer Shovel Knight's combat design to that of megaman's.
Let's look at Megaman m buster-only, and Shovel Knight shovel-only.
Both megaman and Shovel Knight share the trait of fighting bosses in a closed off room. This is hardly unique to either, but serves as a point of comparison.
When you are backed into a corner in megaman, you essentially have 3 options. Shoot in attempt to kill the boss before it can kill you (this can be done in conjunction with the other two actions as well), wait for the boss to do a high jump so you can pass under safely, or attempt to jump over, which usually fails given megaman's jump height and the size of the average boss. So we determined only one method that can prevent you from taking damage, and that method is dependent on the AI.
Now let's look at shovel knight. In a similar scenario, you again have 3 actions: attack, jump over, or wait for the boss to give an opening. However, jumping is no longer unhelpful in this scenario, as shovel dropping lets you get over the opponent safely. Attacking, if timed right, is also useful: it can prevent you from taking contact damage with the boss for a very brief period, and can give you an opportunity to pass.
Admittedly, bosses in Shovel Knight are far less likely to stay in one place for long so the added options aren't hugely important, but I think that letting the player have more control over getting themselves out of a sticky situation is better game design.
Let's look at Megaman m buster-only, and Shovel Knight shovel-only.
Both megaman and Shovel Knight share the trait of fighting bosses in a closed off room. This is hardly unique to either, but serves as a point of comparison.
When you are backed into a corner in megaman, you essentially have 3 options. Shoot in attempt to kill the boss before it can kill you (this can be done in conjunction with the other two actions as well), wait for the boss to do a high jump so you can pass under safely, or attempt to jump over, which usually fails given megaman's jump height and the size of the average boss. So we determined only one method that can prevent you from taking damage, and that method is dependent on the AI.
Now let's look at shovel knight. In a similar scenario, you again have 3 actions: attack, jump over, or wait for the boss to give an opening. However, jumping is no longer unhelpful in this scenario, as shovel dropping lets you get over the opponent safely. Attacking, if timed right, is also useful: it can prevent you from taking contact damage with the boss for a very brief period, and can give you an opportunity to pass.
Admittedly, bosses in Shovel Knight are far less likely to stay in one place for long so the added options aren't hugely important, but I think that letting the player have more control over getting themselves out of a sticky situation is better game design.
Beelzebufo
Banned
Oh shit... Not if you use the phaser!
Dr. Buni
Member
...It is heavily inspired by the whole Mega Man classic series, not only Mega Man 2.
But that's only possible if you did Specter Knight first...
Branching storyline confirmed?
It turns out my biggest problem with Plague Knight's stage wasn't due to poor design, it was due to me being an idiot. I didn't see the pattern in the birds, so I thought they were randomly spawning.
I can't decide if Treasure Knight's stage or Mole Knight's stage is my favorite so far, they are both so good, and they also had the best boss fights so far (and that's saying a lot).
I can't decide if Treasure Knight's stage or Mole Knight's stage is my favorite so far, they are both so good, and they also had the best boss fights so far (and that's saying a lot).
3DS is the best version though. Why would you want that pixel artwork blown up?
Some of the levels are literally (in the dictionary definition of the word) impossible to get it on. There are sections in both Iron Whale and Lich Yard that force you into a passage with a gem and you can bypass it, and the Clockwork Tower has one really fucking hard string of gems to bypass since the floor is moving in the other direction. You probably need some godly combination of Mobile Gear and Propeller Dagger to get past it.
Currently trying Lost City, a bit tough so far but once you learn that the gem/potions spawned in the blocks are fixed it becomes a matter of learning the path.
Beelzebufo
Banned
If there's window mode on steam, couldn't you just shrink the window?
Probably, but having all that space not used by the game can be incredibly distracting.
Minsc
Gold Member
"Big, beautiful pixels!" is listed as an official feature of the game. Perhaps one finds they're not big enough on a 3DS.
batman2million
Member
Such a wonderful game. I bought it on a whim and instantly regretted it. An hour in and I was hooked! Can't believe how much fun this is! I just got to the last part of the world, last couple of levels, and can honestly say this is one of the best game's I've played this year so far!
Scooter155
Member
I had the same moment! I beat King Knight right before going to bed and I decided to stop by town, just happened to talk to the deposed king and when he said that... I felt so bad!
Just beat my first play-through yesterday. This game is magical! I really loved
. I got a big nostalgia rush when I got to the mid-boss of Plague Knight's stage. The first thing to pop in my head was Mad Doctor from Mickey Mania. The music and presentation in this game is top notch. I can't wait to see how the game is like on New Game +.
the round-table battle in the castle entrance; so awesome
Scooter155
Member
What are codes :| I've only put about 75 minutes into the game so far and I have no idea what you're talking about, am I missing out on something?
Been replaying on 3DS after beating it on Wii U. The 3D effect is very nice through-out, and some standouts:
-The village has villagers on different planes.
-Specter Knight's level is awesome when the lights go out.
I'd say if you were trying to decide between Wii U or 3DS, go with 3DS if you don't mind a little hand-cramping.
-The village has villagers on different planes.
-Specter Knight's level is awesome when the lights go out.
I'd say if you were trying to decide between Wii U or 3DS, go with 3DS if you don't mind a little hand-cramping.
This might be the most perfect retro platformer I've ever played, and I'm only through the first village! I can't believe how well made it is, and the soundtrack is amazing. I feel bad for missing the Kickstarter, but am very happy to send $15 their way for the game. Might even buy it one more time to see what the 3DS version looks like. More games like this, please!
Scooter155
Member
Yeah, I was super torn but I ended up going with the 3DS version and I'm loving it, especially playing on the go.
I heard rumors they were considering cross buy, any news on that front?
These are cheat codes being distributed to backers and through other means, to be shared online as those sources see fit. I believe they're input by creating new save profiles. There are a few others scattered throughout the thread, with presumably many more to come.
Cheat codes. Input it into the name screen to create a profile with that code enabled. Any action performed on that file will not count towards any feats.
That moon jump code makes the third that we know of. Allegedly there are hundreds (a unique one for every backer who got the dirt tier) but I can't imagine the really creative ones are going to mixed in with those, but rather given out by yacht club.
Wouldnt surprise me if there was a sprite swap cheat for black Knight somewhere. He already has the needed animations.
Crunch King
Neo Member
I'm sure this has come up before, but I don't really have time to go back through the whole thread (sorry!), so:
Anyone have any idea when the game will be up on the Nintendo eShop in the UK?
Sure, I could just get it on Steam, but I'd like to play this on my Wii U, personally.
Anyone have any idea when the game will be up on the Nintendo eShop in the UK?
Sure, I could just get it on Steam, but I'd like to play this on my Wii U, personally.
Scooter155
Member
Thanks! Any chance of those being compiled into the OT? I don't love GAF's search function for stuff like that. I also will survive without the codes, so no worries if no one does that, just curious.
Also, hundreds?? That's gnarly, did the backers who contributed at that level get to make up their own cheat codes???
I expect half of them to be slightly different shades of palette swaps. Or just combinations of other codes since cheat codes themselves don't stack.
I think last I heard they're hoping for it to be out by the end of the summer.
Sure, I'll try to incorporate that in ASAP.
Just to add even more love to this thread, I gotta say this is retro done right. The best of old and new. I was cynical about the kickstarter, seemed like they we just pandering to the backers without thinking things through, but they managed to pull it all together so expertly.
Something that stood out for me was the meaningful way for managing currency. There are items you want and they are pretty exensive, the stuff isn't necessary but it adds variety and fun, and just when you're getting greedy and collecting the last of everything, the game forces you forget about the money altogether if you want to progress.
Something that stood out for me was the meaningful way for managing currency. There are items you want and they are pretty exensive, the stuff isn't necessary but it adds variety and fun, and just when you're getting greedy and collecting the last of everything, the game forces you forget about the money altogether if you want to progress.
My wife has a history of seizures so during the level I kept being like, are you okay to play this?
Luckily the flashes aren't too close together or I'd be more concerned...flashing strobe-type lights are supposed to be a seizure trigger for her but I'd like to err on the side of caution.
There is another sequence with silhouettes, but it lets you see much more clearly because the background is bright green.
Man, that's always a scary thing. Glad that she was okay.My wife has a history of seizures so during the level I kept being like, are you okay to play this?
Luckily the flashes aren't too close together or I'd be more concerned...flashing strobe-type lights are supposed to be a seizure trigger for her but I'd like to err on the side of caution.
Thanks man. It was very scary when it was happening a few years back. Thank goodness she's been seizure-free for 3+ years now.
BTW, your post reminded me--there is one more instance of lightning/blackouts in the game and I don't think this what you were referring to:
there's one pop-up/challenge mini level like that.
Scooter155
Member
I've only done the Spectre Knight one so far, are there more later? I didn't mind it, but it does slow things down significantly. I really like the one section where there are
two spike pits right next to each other, but one is visible in silhouette against the background and the other is not, so you don't realize it's there until you fall right in it unless you happened to wait for lightning.
Game looks fantastic with the CRT shader in SweetFx on PC. Definitely loving it that way.
There are a couple of similar sections later on in the game, at least one of those is considerably smaller though (the other one might be smaller, too, I just haven't played it yet). (And yeah, that was a really tricky section!)
Oh thanks, forgot about that. There's also the
Specter Knight rematch
No, I think you're right about not needing to mention that, it's an even more minor use of the lightning/blackout effect and a bigger spoiler.
Scooter155
Member
Game looks fantastic with the CRT shader in SweetFx on PC. Definitely loving it that way.
Glad you like it, but man, bad fake CRT effect is bad.
Scooter155
Member
Oh thanks! I didn't realize this was your thread, for some reason. It's a great OT, did you make all the banners?
You lose all progress made, which includes gold lost.
Kinda wish they'd fix that. It feels like it devalues losing gold.
Adam Prime
hates soccer, is Mexican
I believe you have to actually meet the guy in the treasure box to get it for sale in the town. My problem is that I never even ran into him in the level... gotta try again!
Game looks fantastic with the CRT shader in SweetFx on PC. Definitely loving it that way.
Why did you choose to make the game look worse with a fakey CRT filter?
Yeah, really.. :/ I mean, power to ya if you like it, but that looks really bad IMO..
Game looks fantastic with the CRT shader in SweetFx on PC. Definitely loving it that way.
Fuck that suit of armor. I found out the hard way that unless you stop before a screen transition and let your momentum take you forward, instead of letting go of the D-pad mid transition, your momentum would force you forward on the new screen. So far it's the only death I've had that I would call unfair.