It is WAY overrated. It has solid controls, the humor is great, and it was pretty fun. But people heaped way to much praise on it. Heck, in the miiverse vote a while back for the best games it was rated higher than MK8. That's insane.

I feel as though I've given it a fair whack. I really tried to get into it, but nope... Each time I boot up this game I just find more and more frustration and less fun than before. Maybe I'll come back to it one day, but for now I'm done.

You are not alone, I liked it but didn't love it. I only played thru once and then I didn't have much desire to go back. I tried to replay a few months later but soon quit. Hoping the dlc is more to my liking but I doubt it.

I would even argue against the solid controls tbh. For a while I didn't even know that you could cancel the downward shovel in the air, so experienced many unfair deaths. Plus, I don't feel I have the same freedom of movement I have in some other platformers. Shovel Knight himself feels very rigid to control.

I'm glad I'm not alone on this anyway, thanks guys. It just goes to show that 2D platformers evolved for a reason, which makes me very grateful for the other options available these days!

I guess rigid is fair. I took that as at least stable. But I tend to like my controls on the super tight side of things.

And yes, the replay value is non-existent. After I beat it there was not a single part of me that ever really wanted to play it again.

I don't mind tight controls, but this game feels almost stiff (Does that make sense?). I think that after having played Rayman and DK, I can't go back to a platformer that does not have a momentum element to it. I also wonder if the game would be more playable if not for the HORRIBLE mechanic of being pushed back after being hit. Worst part of the game by far, and totally unnecessary.

Yeah, makes sense. It took me a while to get into both Rayman and DKC:TF, but once I did I was hooked. I might be harsher on Shovel Knight's controls if I tried them again. Also, forgot about the push back. Ugh.

I agree Chris, Scored far higher than what I'll eventually give it (Waiting for the retail release to give it one last chance to impress) After all the hype & reviews I expected something special. I grew up with the 80's games this ranks below a fair few of them.

Brutally? It was tough, for sure, and I died many times as well, but I wouldn't call it brutal. Compared to some other 80's games I've played (Castlevania, Ghost n' Goblins[never again ;_;]), this wasn't too hard. What helped me a lot when I was kinda stuck was the item that makes you invincible for a few seconds. But yeah, the control is horrible!

I used that word specifically because of how unforgiving it all felt. I consider myself to be a pretty seasoned gamer who doesn't quit easily, but parts felt so unfair that it didn't even feel worth playing. A real shame to be honest.

@Smikey: I'm glad you agree, although I wish you could've enjoyed it more. I thought this would be your type of thing for sure. The one bonus they do have is the commitment to free DLC later down the line. I'll still check that out when it drops.

That really is a shame, I never felt like that. Well, not in the level design, but a bit when it comes to the enemies (not the bosses, they were challenging, but never unfair, for me personally), they definitely were annoying and frustrating! (But the good thing is, that you now have time for Shantae, go for it! :p)

Yeah, the bosses were very challenging in Shovel Knight but never unfair - just the other parts of the game. You'll be pleased to know that I did buy Shantae in the recent sale. The 3DS version is 50% off if you own the Wii U one, so if I buy that too it'll feel like I paid full price for one and got the other free (you know, like REAL cross-buy should be), but I haven't played it much yet.

Looking forward to it though after your high praise!

Now as I'm thinking about each separate level in Shovel Knight, I have to say that some parts frustrated me as well - especially that ice level.. The cross-buy for it feels okay, unlike as for other games. When you don't like Shantae, don't listen to my other suggestions. xD