Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (Hands-On) (PC) Preview

On the one hand, it is a bit difficult to fully assess Shantae: Half-Genie Hero because the beta doesn't really showcase some of the series' most notable features. Great, diverse boss battles, a wonderful Metroidvania sort of exploration, and charming dialogue and characters are all things that will no doubt be in the final build, but are painfully absent in this three-level preview. These are the sorts of things that make Shantae "Shantae," and without them there is just this nagging sense that the game is missing something.

On the other hand, however, this demo does a wonderful job showcasing exactly why everyone should be excited for the upcoming title. The key features are still hidden behind a curtain, sure, but they are certain to come along eventually, and across the three levels there are all the tight gameplay mechanics and clever level designs necessary to put any lingering concerns to rest. The preview shows off two levels - a desert wasteland and a luscious tropical forest - in addition to an action sequence that has Shantae jumping and dodging enemies on a moving conveyer belt. The quick, fun action platforming the series is known for is here in full force, in addition to a handful of puzzle-like sequences that necessitate the proper use of cover to overcome some particularly strong wind gusts. It is a nice, quick showcase of what to expect in the final version, and it will leave the player wanting more, and soon.

After a brief hiatus in Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, the animal transformations are back, with two different ones shown off in all their glory in the beta. The adorable Shantae monkey returns, giving her the ability to climb walls and perform wall jumps to reach otherwise inaccessible areas of the levels. A crab transformation instead gives her the ability to perform some limited platforming skills underwater, in addition to a nice defensive shell to hide under if anything sharp and scary is coming her way. The preview nicely demonstrates exactly how these abilities will be used, adding another layer to the gameplay and infusing the game with some much needed diversity to the platforming challenges. Switching back and forth between animal forms and Shantae is as simple as a touch of a button, and while the challenges the demo put forward are somewhat simplistic, it will be exciting to see how the developers build upon these mechanics and present more interesting challenges.

The game also looks beautiful, and this will be far and away the best looking Shantae game to date. The sprites from the previous games were excellent, no doubt, but the fantastic hand-drawn characters and backgrounds bring all the levels to life. There is a vibrant, colourful world in Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, and between the bright visuals and responsive gameplay mechanics, the world here is a treat to explore. It certainly isn't a finished product yet, but there is more than enough here to be excited about where the project might wind up.