Recent reviews by Reaper

The retro aesthetic is interesting, and Shovel Knight strictly limits itself by sticking to authentic color, sound, and control layout limitations. It also strictly nails the gameplay, which is something not all retro-aesthetic indie games do these days. It doesn't rely on a quirk, twist, or gimmick: it's just sheer refined action platformer.

The gamecraft on display here is excellent, everything from the character design, limited but fun story, level design, and especially the original score are all among the very best even of games today, to say nothing of the old-school games it's meant to evoke.

Shovel Knight is a game that clearly knows what it's doing. It chose to be the best damn retro action platformer ever made - no more, no less - and it very well may have done just that.