Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is a pirate-themed platformer that turns Shantae’s usual dance-based moves into a full-fledged sword-and-shield system. The change works. Developed for Stadia, PS4, 3DS and PC, the game asks players to fight enemies, solve puzzles and explore a world built around treasure and traps. It earns an 8.2 out of 10.
Trailer, via WayForward.
The New Fighting System
The core shift is simple to explain and harder to master. Instead of dancing her way through foes, Shantae draws a sword and holds a shield. She can block, parry, dodge and combo with real weight behind each swing. The combat is tight enough that a player who has finished the main story can still find room to improve, which means repeated playthroughs are not just possible but rewarding.
Treasure and Puzzles
Puzzle rooms are scattered across the map, and they demand real thought rather than quick button presses. Some ask for timing, some for memory, and a few require returning to earlier parts of the game to unlock paths. The difficulty rises steadily without ever feeling cheap, so players who take their time tend to get more out of the game than those who rush through.
Exploration Across Platforms
The game supports Stadia, PS4, 3DS and PC, and the design shows it. Level layout is generous, with branching paths and hidden rooms that reward curiosity. Players who explore thoroughly will find extra treasure and lore that the main path skips over, which adds replay value for anyone willing to dig past the surface.
Music and Sound
The score matches the setting’s swashbuckling tone without drowning out the action. Sound effects land with force during fights, and the mix holds up across platforms, meaning the audio experience stays consistent no matter which version a player chooses.
Where It Falls Short
Not everything lands perfectly. Some enemy types repeat late in the game, and a few boss fights feel rushed rather than satisfying. The pacing dips in the middle stretch, where side content can start to feel like filler rather than purposeful exploration. These issues keep the game from being perfect, but they do not sink it.
Difficulty Curve
| Stage | Focus |
|---|---|
| Early chapters | Combat introduction |
| Mid-game | Puzzle emphasis |
| Late chapters | Boss rush |
This structure means players spend the early part of the game learning the sword-and-shield controls before the puzzles take center stage in the middle, then the final stretch rushes toward a conclusion that may leave some mysteries unresolved.
The Final Stretch
The ending ties together threads from earlier chapters, though it does not fully resolve every mystery along the way. Players who finish the credits will likely want to return to earlier areas to hunt down the treasure they missed, which gives the game a natural reason to encourage a second pass through its world.
A Solid Addition to the Series
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is a confident step forward for the series. The new fighting system gives longtime fans a fresh reason to return, and the puzzle design adds depth that older games in the series lacked. It is not perfect, but it is rarely boring.
What Remains To Be Said
The game succeeds because it commits fully to its new direction while holding onto what made Shantae special in the first place. That balance is rare, and it is why this entry stands out among its peers.
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