Justin Nation
Nindie SpotlightNindie Spotlight Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Review
Published 5/8/2018
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+8 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalCritic Atlas
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PS4 / PC / PS5 / WiiU / Vita / XONE / Switch - 12/20/2016
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero
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!
- Developer
- WayForward
- Publisher
- XSEED Games, WayForward
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Critic average
82
Average of 35 scored external reviews.
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Whimsical / playful / lightheartedDefining · Curated baseline
Side-content richDefining · Curated baseline
Atmosphere-driven / aesthetic identityDefining · Curated baseline
Highly replayableStrongly · Curated baseline
Reflex / execution-heavyStrongly · Curated baseline
Systems / mechanics-drivenStrongly · Curated baseline
Exploration-drivenStrongly · Curated baseline
Combat / action-focusedStrongly · Curated baseline
Show 11 more descriptors
Story / character-drivenModerately · Curated baseline
Puzzle / logic-focusedModerately · Curated baseline
Cozy / low-pressureModerately · Curated baseline
Punishing / high-pressureModerately · Curated baseline
Buildcraft / customization-heavyModerately · Curated baseline
Loot / progression-drivenModerately · Curated baseline
Strategic / planning-heavySlightly · Curated baseline
Short / focusedSlightly · Curated baseline
Serious / dark / groundedNot present · Curated baseline
Run-based / proceduralNot present · Curated baseline
Multiplayer / socialNot present · Curated baseline
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Review coverage
Critic signal strength
Numeric critic scoring uses full scored reviews once available. Review-in-progress scores act as temporary early signal only until full review scores exist. Unscored reviews still count as coverage, but they are not included in the critic average.
High confidencePolarized
Critic avg
82
35 scored reviews
Total coverage
35
All coverage currently scored
Score range
50–100
Lowest to highest scored review
Signal shape
Polarized
Score range is 31+ points
Critic landscape
The critic average is 82 across 35 scored reviews, with a 50-point spread. Critics are far apart on this one.
How to read this
Treat the average carefully. A polarized landscape is where reviewer match, review text, and score deltas matter more than the headline number.
Most scored reviews currently sit in the 80–89 band.
Score distribution
Shows how included scored reviews are clustered across the normalized 100-point scale.
35 included scored reviews
90–10012 reviews · 34%
80–8915 reviews · 43%
70–796 reviews · 17%
Below 702 reviews · 6%
Showing 1-10 of 35 matching critic reviews. 35 total critic reviews. Page 1 of 4.
Evan Norris
VGChartzShantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition (NS) Review
Published 5/7/2018
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Scoring alignment
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Score
70
-12 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalEric Ace
Cubed3Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (PlayStation 4) Review
Published 7/8/2017
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Scoring alignment
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Score
50
-32 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalJosh Di Falco
Cubed3Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (Xbox One) Review
Published 6/28/2017
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Scoring alignment
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Score
90
+8 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalDonald Theriault
Nintendo World ReportShantae: Half-Genie Hero (Switch) Review
Published 6/27/2017
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+8 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalAdam Riley
Cubed3Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (Nintendo Switch) Review
Published 6/18/2017
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Scoring alignment
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Score
80
-2 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalMitch Vogel
Nintendo LifeReview: Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (Switch eShop)
Published 6/16/2017
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Scoring alignment
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Score
90
+8 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalThom Compton
Cubed3Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (PS Vita) Review
Published 5/5/2017
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Scoring alignment
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Score
70
-12 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalCarlos Santuana
TheXboxHubShantae: Half-Genie Hero Review
Published 1/31/2017
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Scoring alignment
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Score
100
+18 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalAlex Santa Maria
TechRaptorShantae: Half-Genie Hero Review – Cave of Wonders
Published 1/12/2017
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Scoring alignment
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Score
65
-17 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalPlayer reviews
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