Shantae: Half-Genie Hero - Pirate Queen's Quest (PC) Review

Activating the Dynamo is a bit more complicated a task than one would expect. There are five components needed to power the device, and they're all in the hands of Risky's enemies. One would think that the baddies of Sequin Land would work together, somewhat like the Legion of Doom, but that's not the case here. The evil barons of the realm won't give up their components without a fight. Even the pirate queen's tinkerbat crew needs to be taught a lesson. Unlike Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, the first five levels can be taken on in any order. There is also a distinct lack of fetch quests, which cuts down on the padding.

As is common of the action-adventure genre, Risky's tools can be used for both traversal and slaughter. In the beginning, she only has her trusty sword and pistol. Whenever she manages to complete a level, one of her contraptions will become available. Fans of Shantae and the Pirate's Curse will recognize many of these tools of destruction. The pirate hat can be used to glide over long distances, while the cannon jump allows for gravity-defying mid-air leaps. Due to the open-ended nature of this DLC, contraptions can be acquired in any order. It's also worth hunting down dark magic. These hidden treasures can be expended to upgrade the villain's arsenal.

For the most part, the levels will play out much the same as in the base game. Risky Boots is essentially retracing the steps of her arch rival, so expect to visit the same locales, as well as battle the same bosses. At least the new weapons and techniques lend a different flavour to the action. Many of the stages have undergone some slight changes. There are new obstacles to contend with, as well as some unique foes. The final boss is also quite nice, which helps the DLC end on a high note. Overall, the level of difficulty is slightly higher than the base game, but veterans aren't likely to have much trouble.

The most appealing aspect of this quest is that it delivers a full campaign, without all of the fluff. It's open-ended, so players can attempt different routes on subsequent playthroughs. Risky Boots also doesn't need to dance to access her powers. Switching between sub-weapons and employing contraptions doesn't require a break in the action. This helps to keep the pacing from getting bogged down. However, the pirate's side of the story is a little too familiar. A number of elements were changed around to keep the adventure from being a total retread, but it might not be enough for some. Worse still, there isn't any new music.