Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is an action-adventure platformer game developed by WayForward Technologies. It is the third installment in the Shantae series and was released in 2014. The game follows the story of the half-genie protagonist, Shantae, as she embarks on a quest to stop an evil pirate known as the Pirate Master. Unlike its predecessors, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse introduces a unique gameplay dynamic where Shantae loses her genie powers and must rely on various pirate-themed items and abilities to progress through the game. These include a scimitar for close combat, a Flintlock Pistol for ranged attacks, and a Pirate Hat that allows Shantae to glide through the air. The game takes place in a large interconnected world, divided into different islands.
A direct sequel to the previous title, the game starts off with Shantae adjusting to her new lifestyle when Risky reappears. Due to the previous story's events, Risky's pirate crew gained magical powers and turned into Cacklebats, overthrew Risky, and plan to resurrect her former mentor, the Pirate Master. As per usual in situations like this, Shantae and Risky must join forces and defeat the Cacklebats to prevent this from happening.
Action Bomb One of the enemies found in the Abandoned Factory is a robot with a very bombastic death animation, in that it will go out in an explosion of massive, highly-damaging fireballs that travel a considerable distance. The original American promo art features Shantae and the other girls smiling, but when the game was brought to Japan, the 3DS cover shows that Shantae is in a much more serious mood, and Risky Boots is proudly brandishing her pistol.
The game takes place in a large interconnected world, divided into different islands. Each island is filled with various obstacles, enemies, and puzzles that players must overcome using Shantae's newfound pirate abilities. Along the way, Shantae encounters other supporting characters, including fellow pirates and familiar faces from previous games.
Video Game / Shantae and the Pirate's Curse
The third game in the Shantae series, released for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U in 2014, four years after Shantae: Risky's Revenge.
A direct sequel to the previous title, the game starts off with Shantae adjusting to her new lifestyle when Risky reappears. Due to the previous story's events, Risky's pirate crew gained magical powers and turned into Cacklebats, overthrew Risky, and plan to resurrect her former mentor, the Pirate Master. As per usual in situations like this, Shantae and Risky must join forces and defeat the Cacklebats to prevent this from happening.
Gameplay is similar to the previous two games, with two major changes. First, the interconnected Metroidvania world of the previous two games has been replaced with a world seperated into several distinct islands, each with their own overworld and dungeon. Second, Shantae swaps her magical powers for slowly acquiring Risky's items and gaining new abilities with them.
An International Co Production with Inti Creates. Later saw release for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and even Amazon Fire TV.
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse features vibrant and colorful 2D graphics, reminiscent of classic pixel art. The game also incorporates catchy music and humorous dialogue, creating an immersive and enjoyable experience for players. The controls are tight and responsive, allowing for precise platforming and combat. One of the game's standout features is its challenging boss battles. Each island has a unique boss that players must defeat using their acquired pirate powers and well-timed attacks. These battles require both skill and strategy, adding an extra layer of excitement and satisfaction to the gameplay. In addition to its main storyline, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse offers various side quests and collectibles to keep players engaged. These include hidden treasures, heart squids that increase Shantae's health, and various upgrades to her abilities. Exploring the world and uncovering these secrets adds replay value and extends the game's longevity. Overall, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is a well-crafted and entertaining platformer that offers a unique twist on the series' gameplay. Its charming characters, beautiful visuals, and tight controls make it a standout entry in the Shantae franchise. Whether you're a fan of the series or new to it, this game is a must-play for any platformer enthusiast..
Reviews for "The Artistic Achievement of Shantae and the Pirates Curse"
1. James - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to play "Shantae and the Pirates Curse eds" based on all the positive reviews, but I found myself incredibly disappointed. The controls were clunky and unresponsive, making it difficult to navigate through the levels. The graphics were also lackluster, with pixelated character models that looked outdated. Additionally, the gameplay felt repetitive and tedious, with no real sense of progression or excitement. Overall, I just didn't find it enjoyable and regret purchasing it.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "Shantae and the Pirates Curse eds" was a complete waste of my time and money. The story was incredibly dull and predictable, and the characters were forgettable. The level design was confusing and poorly thought out, leading to much frustration and unnecessary backtracking. The combat mechanics were also clunky and unsatisfying. I honestly can't find a single thing I liked about this game, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
3. Mike - 3/5 stars - I had high expectations for "Shantae and the Pirates Curse eds," but sadly it didn't meet them. While the art style was visually appealing, the gameplay itself fell short. The controls felt unresponsive at times, making precise platforming a frustrating experience. Additionally, I found the difficulty level to be unbalanced, with some areas being too easy and others being unfairly difficult. It had potential, but ultimately failed to deliver on the enjoyment I was hoping for.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars - As a fan of the previous "Shantae" games, I was excited to play "Shantae and the Pirates Curse eds." However, I found this installment to be underwhelming. The levels lacked depth and variety, with repetitive environments and uninspired puzzles. The soundtrack, usually a highlight of the series, also felt lackluster. While the game wasn't terrible, it certainly didn't live up to the standards set by its predecessors, and I was left feeling disappointed.