
79
MONSTER
Shantae embarks on her first full HD adventure! After three highly successful outings with Shantae, Shantae: Risky's Revenge, and Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, Shantae and her friends finally get a full HD console-based sequel! Boasting vivid, detailed high-definition graphics that retain the 2D hand-drawn sprites the series is known for, this newest entry in the Shantae series almost looks like a playable TV show! Presented as a stage-based 2.5D platformer with heavy exploration elements, Shantae uses her trademark Hair-Whip Attack to dispatch enemies, then takes advantage of her Belly Dance Magic to transform into 8 different forms that each have their own unique abilities and move sets. As new forms are mastered, old stages can be re-explored to unearth new items and secrets, ensuring there's plenty of content on offer for novices and platforming gurus alike. Topple the villainous Baron behind each criminal caper afflicting Sequin Land, and prepare for the ultimate showdown against Shantae's arch-nemesis: that bodacious buccaneer, Risky Boots!
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
Expand for full analysis
70
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero dazzles with whimsical charm and inventive gameplay but falters with a shallow plot, linear structure, and recycled tropes, offering a lightweight experience that prioritizes play over narrative depth.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
70
Positive Reviews (80-100)
12%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
88%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero dazzles with whimsical charm and inventive gameplay but falters with a shallow plot, linear structure, and recycled tropes, offering a lightweight experience that prioritizes play over narrative depth.
Gameplay Mechanics
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82
Inventive 2D platforming with nostalgic charm and transformative flair, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero dazzles through creative mechanics, Metroidvania progression, and a satisfying collect-a-thon loop—yet its linearity, repetitive backtracking, difficulty spikes, and underused abilities undermine an otherwise love letter to classics.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
82
Positive Reviews (80-100)
89%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
9%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
3%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Inventive 2D platforming with nostalgic charm and transformative flair, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero dazzles through creative mechanics, Metroidvania progression, and a satisfying collect-a-thon loop—yet its linearity, repetitive backtracking, difficulty spikes, and underused abilities undermine an otherwise love letter to classics.
Graphics and Visual Design
Expand for full analysis
89
Critics hailed Shantae: Half-Genie Hero’s vibrant HD visuals, praising its hand-drawn artistry, 3D polish, and nostalgic yet modern flair—though minor critiques on design choices and technical quirks couldn’t overshadow its artistic triumph.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
89
Positive Reviews (80-100)
91%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
9%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Critics hailed Shantae: Half-Genie Hero’s vibrant HD visuals, praising its hand-drawn artistry, 3D polish, and nostalgic yet modern flair—though minor critiques on design choices and technical quirks couldn’t overshadow its artistic triumph.
Music and Sound Design
Expand for full analysis
86
Jake Kauffman’s genre-defying soundtrack for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero dazzles with snappy synth-pop, Arabian flair, and nostalgic 16-bit vibes, earning universal praise as a masterclass in whimsical, immersive game music—though minor quirks in cohesion and repetition linger.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
86
Positive Reviews (80-100)
79%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
21%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Jake Kauffman’s genre-defying soundtrack for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero dazzles with snappy synth-pop, Arabian flair, and nostalgic 16-bit vibes, earning universal praise as a masterclass in whimsical, immersive game music—though minor quirks in cohesion and repetition linger.
Voice Acting
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66
Voice acting in Shantae: Half-Genie Hero earns praise for standout performances like Christina Vee’s work and catchy vocal themes, but critics call it sparse, shallow, and underused, undermining immersion despite competent execution.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
66
Positive Reviews (80-100)
0%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
100%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
Voice acting in Shantae: Half-Genie Hero earns praise for standout performances like Christina Vee’s work and catchy vocal themes, but critics call it sparse, shallow, and underused, undermining immersion despite competent execution.
Technical Performance
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82
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero shines technically across PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch with smooth 60fps, zero major bugs, and stellar optimization—except for Vita’s frame-rate hiccups and Wii U’s lackluster features. Minor glitches on some platforms don’t overshadow its polished, stable performance.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
82
Positive Reviews (80-100)
64%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
36%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero shines technically across PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch with smooth 60fps, zero major bugs, and stellar optimization—except for Vita’s frame-rate hiccups and Wii U’s lackluster features. Minor glitches on some platforms don’t overshadow its polished, stable performance.
Replay Value
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74
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero offers enticing replay value via hidden secrets, collectibles, New Game+ modes, and unlockable abilities, but its short campaign (under 4 hours), repetitive backtracking, and shallow combat undermine long-term appeal, catering mainly to completionists and series fans despite its charm.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
74
Positive Reviews (80-100)
33%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
67%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero offers enticing replay value via hidden secrets, collectibles, New Game+ modes, and unlockable abilities, but its short campaign (under 4 hours), repetitive backtracking, and shallow combat undermine long-term appeal, catering mainly to completionists and series fans despite its charm.
Overall Verdict
79
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
79
Positive Reviews (80-100)
78%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
22%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
A vibrant, nostalgic 2D platformer praised for its polished charm and accessible gameplay, but criticized for repetitive backtracking and lack of innovation—still a must-play for fans despite flaws.
79
MONSTER
Reviews
83 reviews found100
TheXboxHub
Feb 3, 2017
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review concludes that Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is a must-play title for platformer fans, praising its gameplay, story, visuals, and soundtrack. It is seen as a strong addition to the series with high-quality execution across multiple aspects.
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90
God is a Geek
Jan 9, 2017
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review is overwhelmingly positive, calling Shantae: Half-Genie Hero a must-play for 2D platformer fans. It is praised as one of the best in the genre with its visuals, music, and gameplay, despite minor flaws.
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90
Nintendo Life
Jun 16, 2017
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A strong recommendation for fans of Metroidvania games, praised for its charm, polish, and portability on Switch. While slightly short, it remains a standout entry in the Shantae series with added convenience.
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90
Digitally Downloaded
Dec 20, 2016
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review is overwhelmingly positive, praising the HD visuals, creative design, humor, and character depth. It positions the game as a standout in the 2D platformer genre and a strong entry in the Shantae series.
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90
TheSixthAxis
Jan 3, 2017
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is praised as one of the best platformers in recent years, with a strong recommendation for fans of the genre, though minor criticisms about repetition and fetch quests are noted.
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85
ZTGD
Jan 4, 2017
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review concludes positively, highlighting Shantae's charm, engaging gameplay, and memorable music. The reviewer is impressed enough to seek out previous games in the franchise.
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85
CGMagazine
Jan 3, 2017
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review concludes that the game is
85
Atomix
Dec 23, 2016
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review concludes positively, calling the game a must-have for fans and praising its visuals, music, and gameplay. While noting some flaws in structure and story, it is ultimately recommended as a strong entry in the series.
84
COGconnected
Dec 21, 2016
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The reviewer calls it a great game with high recommendation for fans of platformer-RPG hybrids, despite a slow start. They highlight its value and enjoyment once past the initial phase.
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83
MondoXbox
Feb 11, 2017
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review concludes positively, praising the game's variety of missions, localisation, and value for money, while acknowledging its 10-hour runtime as sufficient for its price point.
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