Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (2016)

Developer: WayForward
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Action, Adventure, Indie
Rating: 4.5 of 5, 2,420 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 9.8 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A bouncy, side-scrolling romp with snappy transformations and a cheerful, comic tone.

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What players say

Players say this Shantae entry is more linear than others, with level-based stages rather than a connected world. The platforming and music are strong, but some find replaying levels to use new powers tedious. Opinions split on the controls, with the harpy form drawing particular complaints. Multiple reviewers warn to buy the Ultimate Edition instead of this base version.

Screenshots

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More by WayForward

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.