Episode 127 - Slaps Soft Ass - Shovel Knight

Steel thy podcast! Welcome back! Today, we’re going to be talking about Shovel Knight, the 2D platformer developed by Yacht Club Games in the long ago age of 2014. Yes, this is an older game that has been talked to death already, but it was definitely interesting to see it now with more or less fresh eyes, particularly in todays landscape where the game is taken as sort of a given. Shovel Knight exploded on the scene when it released because it was an indie 2D platformer that seemed to actually nail what we all remembered as being fun from those games when we played them as kids. And that is the game’s biggest strength: taking a very light touch to modernization and creating a game that truly feels like the games it’s emulating, while still being palatable to a modern audience. That doesn’t mean it’s all killer no filler, though, as some of the design still feels a little dated, or emphasizes a kind of gameplay that might not appeal to everyone, but all of that still feels part of the charm. When partnered with an absolutely stellar presentation in visuals and music, my god, the music, and taking into consideration the changes and adjustments it has undergone through its multiple releases, the game still stands as an excellently executed ode to the 90s era of platformers. We’ll be talking about how the game’s emphasis on its cast of characters brings out its charm, how the level and boss design calls back to the retro era, and we pitch a series of Shovel Knight merchandise like we’re Mel Brooks in Spaceballs. Thank you for listening to the podcast this week. Scratch another game off the original list we made back in 2015 when this game could have been considered “on the newer side.” Was it worth the wait? Does anyone care? When did you play this game, and what do you think of the cultural hype that’s built up around it, effectively making it one of the most well known indie games of all time? Let us know in the comments, or over on Discord! Next time, we’re going to be talking about Elden Ring, which we somehow, some way, found time to finish and record an episode on in a month. Please be impressed by our lack of things to do in real life, and also please come back then to listen to the episode.