Even for a relatively short title, this repetitive, room-clearing nature saps spirit, with gameplay eventually becoming robotic, rather than engaging. Fans of “shakeup sequences” from previous titles – such as Run Rottytops!, the Magic Carpet Ride, the Mermaid Factory, or the Shmup Lair – will be disappointed to hear that no such set-pieces appear in Seven Sirens. This is essentially the layout for the entire game – no more, no less. Shantae heads to a zone, finds a missing genie, fights a boss, then gets a new skill that allows her access to the next zone. Unfortunately, rather than become the sum of its parts, Seven Sirens actually feels like a step backward, or at least sideways, from both of its aforementioned predecessors.ĭespite efforts to offer a deeper, more exploration-themed vibe than Half-Genie Hero, Seven Sirens‘ gameplay loop is frustratingly simplistic. With Seven Sirens, WayForward has experimented with blending both styles, cherry-picking the colourful cartoon aesthetic of HGH and the open exploration elements of Pirate’s Curse, infused into a single interconnected map, much like you see in titles such as Bloodstained or Hollow Knight. 2014’s Pirate’s Curse used classic pixelated graphics, item-based puzzles, and a series of themed island labyrinths, leaning in on the metroidvania angle, whereas 2016’s Half-Genie Hero used modern vector sprites, stripped back the metroidvania elements, and went with far more traditional “head right and jump” platforming action. This is mostly due to the very different design philosophies behind the latter games. Recent Shantae titles have been a little divisive among the fanbase. Now seemingly the only guardian on the island – and well out of her jurisdiction – Shantae sets off on another hair-whipping adventure, exploring the length and breadth of this strange locale in efforts to get to the bottom of the mysterious kidnapping. Shantae and the Seven Sirens sees the titular Half-Genie Hero and her pals leave the sanctity of Scuttle Island for a fun-filled vacation on the recently opened Arena Island, where Shantae is scheduled to perform at the “Half-Genie Festival.” Things go awry fast, however, when her five newly met genie pals vanish during the festival’s opening ceremony. Released: Septem(Apple Arcade), (Other platforms) Shantae and the Seven Sirens (PS4, PC, Xbox One, Switch, Apple Arcade) It’s time to dance into danger once again… RET-2-GO! A very curious delivery method, one which frankly does not suit an eight-hour, single-map metroidvania. The second half of Seven Sirens arrived on Apple Arcade in March of this year, with the game now finally available in its entirety on other platforms. Eschewing the typical release format, Seven Sirens arrived piecemeal on Apple Arcade, launching alongside the platform back in September 2019. It’s with this spirit of devotion that I approach this review of WayForward’s fifth entry in the Shantae canon, Shantae and the Seven Sirens. Pirate’s Curse is in my Top Ten of all-time, and the Shantae series as a whole is embedded in my heart. Particularly, these plaudits belong to Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, a game I’ve gone on record as saying is a masterclass in perfect game design. I’m besotted with these adventures, having fallen in love with their wonderful visuals, energetic soundtracks, vibrant worlds and, most of all, warm and lovable cast of characters. Oh Shantae, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…Īs I’ve noted before, rarely do video games make me literally smile while I’m playing, but WayForward’s Shantae series has me grinning like a durn fool.
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