Shantae and the Seven Sirens puts players back in control of Shantae, the pirate genie who starred in earlier games in the series. This time she faces seven Sirens, each tied to a different island, and each island demands a new way of moving through it. The game lands on PS4, Android, PC and iOS, and it asks players to master a mix of platforming, puzzle-solving and combat across its islands.
Trailer, via WayForward.
The Islands and Their Sirens
The game splits its world into distinct islands, each ruled by a different Siren. Players move through each island, find new abilities and face off against the Siren who rules it. Here is how the islands break down:
- Island One introduces the first Siren and sets the tone for the game’s approach to movement.
- Island Two brings a second Siren and a fresh way of getting around.
- Island Three adds a third Siren and a new ability that opens up new paths.
- Island Four features a fourth Siren and another new method of travel.
- Island Five brings a fifth Siren and a further twist on movement.
- Island Six adds a sixth Siren and a new challenge.
- Island Seven closes the game with its final Siren and its biggest test.
Each island asks for a fresh approach to movement, which keeps the game’s systems from feeling dull over time.
The Fighting System
Combat is simple but effective. Shantae can strike with her staff, fire magic at enemies and dodge attacks from foes. The fighting stays easy to follow even as enemy numbers grow later in the game.
Abilities and Progression
New abilities open up as the game goes on, letting players return to earlier islands and find paths they could not reach before. That loop of returning to old ground with new tools keeps the game feeling fresh even when its core systems stay steady.
The Look of the Game
The game leans heavily on bright colors and a cartoon style that suits its setting. Character designs are expressive, and the animation sells Shantae’s movements well. Some scenes look better than others, but the overall tone stays consistent across the game’s islands.
Sound and Music
The music matches the game’s pace, switching between light tunes for exploration and driving tracks during boss fights. Voice acting is thin but present, mostly used for the Sirens rather than Shantae herself.
Length and Pace
The game moves fast early on but slows as it nears its end, especially in the final stretch of islands. Some players may find the pace uneven, though the game rarely drags for long.
Where It Falls Short
Not everything holds up. Some puzzles feel less inspired than others, and a few late-game sections repeat ideas the game already covered. On mobile, touch controls can feel awkward during fast action, though the issue varies from scene to scene.
Final Word
Shantae and the Seven Sirens succeeds because it trusts players to learn and use its systems across the full set of islands. The mix of platforming, puzzle-solving and combat keeps things from growing dull, even when the pace flags near the end. Its best moments come in its boss fights, where the game’s themes land hardest.
The game’s weakest points — thin voice acting, repeated ideas, some awkward mobile controls — hold it back from greatness, but they do not sink it. Shantae and the Seven Sirens earns a score of 7.2 out of 10.
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