Yacht Club Games developed and published Shovel Knight, a platform video game that was released in June 2014 for Windows, Nintendo 3DS, and Wii U. The development of the game was funded through crowdfunding.

Gameplay

Shovel Knight is a classic 2D platform game that features an 8-bit style of graphics. In the game’s first campaign, players take on the role of the main character, Shovel Knight, as he embarks on a journey to collect treasure and battle against the Order of No Quarter. Shovel Knight’s primary weapon is a shovel, which he can use to attack enemies and uncover hidden treasures. Additionally, players can purchase secondary items, known as relics, from a salesman named Chester, who is located in most levels. These relics provide the player with limited magical abilities, such as long-range projectiles, gloves that can break through dirt blocks, and a locket that grants temporary invincibility. The game also includes a jumping mechanic, where players can bounce on enemies by aiming their shovel downwards while in mid-air, similar to the pogo jump from DuckTales or the downward thrust from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.

Story

Upon learning that the Tower of Fate has been unsealed by the Enchantress, Shovel Knight sets out on a mission to return to the tower with the intention of rescuing Shield Knight. However, in order to achieve his goal, Shovel Knight must confront and defeat the Order of No Quarter, a group of knights who have pledged their allegiance to the Enchantress.

How long is Shovel Knight?

When it comes to the primary goals, the duration of Shovel Knight is approximately 6 and a half hours. If you’re a dedicated gamer who wants to experience every aspect of the game, it is estimated that it will take around 17 hours to achieve 100% completion.

Reception

Shovel Knight was universally praised for its stunning visuals, wonderful music, and lovable characters. Additionally, it received positive feedback for its exceptional level design, diverse gameplay, secret areas, additional tasks, and an intricately designed combat system.

Within a month of its launch in North America, a total of 180,000 units of Shovel Knight were sold, including those purchased by Kickstarter supporters. Among these, 49,000 copies were sold on Wii U, 59,000 on 3DS, and 66,000 on Steam. As of September 2019, the game’s sales had reached 2.65 million copies.