Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is an interesting 'new' entry in the beloved indie franchise, a curious fusion of old and new design philosophies. Its creative world-cycling gameplay mechanic, sharp 32-bit visuals, densely packed overworld, and charming narrative all come together to make for a worthwhile experience, even if some more outdated elements like the lack of a map hold it back.I'd recommend this both to series veterans and to newcomers-even if this isn't Shantae at her greatest, Risky Revolution is a solid adventure.

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is a fascinating trip down memory lane that will delight not only die-hard fans of the series but also all lovers of classic 2D platformers. It’s a game that should have been forgotten, but thanks to the developers’ care, it’s gotten a chance to shine. It offers fun mechanics, great humor, and gorgeous retro graphics. However, you should be aware that it also carries the quirks of its era, particularly in the form of a missing map and occasionally confusing navigation. If you can overlook these flaws, you’re in for about eight hours of pure, unadulterated fun with the most famous half-djinn in the gaming world.

All in all, Risky Revolution is still a decently fun time for Shantae fans, but as a GBA kid I felt the overall experience could have been so, so much more than the weird chimera I played.

Hate to say it, but I can understand why WayForward couldn’t find a publisher back in 2002. Shantae Advance is one of the weakest entries in the series. Irritating boss battles, lack of maps, boring levels and the “where the fuck do I go” kind of approach sucks the fun out of it. However, it’s great that WayForward and LRG were able to finish this project for long time fans of the Shantae series, but if you’re looking to dive into the purple hair protagonist’s adventure, try Shantae and the Seven Sirens instead.

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is a well-made, quality game that'll prove mostly entertaining for fans well-versed in the series. But it reflects plenty of choices here that are tough to wrap one's head around, especially when other Shantae games surpass this one in both pace and polish. The restrictive 4-player mode disappointingly fails to live up to the hype. And the inexplicable lack of a map (or any typical hint system) makes this game feel antiquated next to its other entries. Thus, what should be a great game is just a good one. Wait for a sale, and make this Shantae your Half-Price Hero.

A solid action-platformer with likable characters, irreverent writing, rewarding backtracking gameplay, and lovely art and music. With greater mechanical depth, a mapping system, and more to do and explore, it could be even better.

While it’s nice to see Shantae “return” to the Switch, this resurrected title that was originally intended for handhelds is understandably less exciting

While the game could benefit from a map to view where you have been for the constant need to backtrack, there’s not too much to detract from this well-polished and delightful adventure platformer game. I question the decision to clash pixel with HD art. Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is a game I would recommend to not only fans of the series, but to people interested in having their wish granted for a good adventure game.

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is more than just a lost relic; it’s a reminder of how timeless great game design can be. With its mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, transformations, and memorable characters, it feels both nostalgic and fresh. Sure, it has a couple of quirks like the lack of a minimap, but the vibrant visuals, clever mechanics, and infectious personality more than make up for it. For long-time Shantae fans, this release is a must-buy. For newcomers who just enjoy retro-inspired adventures, it’s a nice, colourful ride that proves some treasures are worth digging up.

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution does so much right that it's easily one of the best games that the franchise has ever had. It just goes to show that old-school approaches to making a memorable game doesn't mean that its quality will suffer. 🧞‍♀️