Recently we had games like Scott Pilgrim Vs The World and Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures. I love it when modern games get a retro look. Now if only somebody would make a 16 bit game referencing the Super Nintendo and Sega Mega Drive.
The graphics and controls are very good. Shovel Knight bouncing on his shovel like a pogo stick is very much like Duck Tales where Scrooge bounces on his cane....... like a pogo......
You'll be doing this a lot throughout the game.
But don't bounce on shovels in real life though, although the Jackass boys might do it.
This game is very challenging like the old classics, but it is so challenging that you don't want to give up. You want to do the level again and again until you finally finish it.
However, this game helps you by giving you checkpoints and unlimited lives. Whereas the old NES games didn't have these, so they were even more hardcore.
And I am not an expert on video games. I could never beat Contra or Battletoads. I would fail at a video game tournament.
But to beat really hard games, you have be very zen and extremely calm.
Worked for me.
Once you beat the game, you get have a different character. It's nice the play the whole game again but from this character's point of view.
If you're a fan of retro games, pick this game up. Now Yacht Games, bring forth Shovel Knight 2.