ActionFit check
Is Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Retro action-adventure fans who want platforming, combat, and exploration in one campaign
- Players who enjoy choosing quest progression through an overworld map
- Friends seeking a cooperative platforming adventure with extra challenge modes
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players seeking a low-pressure platformer may hit a wall when hazards, enemy encounters, and demanding platforming dominate the stages
- Players seeking a strongly narrative-led adventure may find the story light and centered on humor and levity
- Players looking for a visual style beyond 8-bit-inspired art may not fit the game's presentation
Our take on Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope
The likely bounce point is the platforming itself: the basic shovel attacks are simple to learn, but stages combine jumps, gaps, enemies, secrets, and bosses. Players seeking a mainly story-led experience may also stop at the light narrative and frequent humor.
What is Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope?
Play as Shovel Knight, a warrior wielding the Shovel Blade, as he crosses platforming stages, fights the Order of No Quarter, and pursues the Enchantress while searching for his lost beloved.
An overworld map lets the quest unfold in a chosen order. Combat includes flipping enemies, leaping over gaps, dueling foes, digging for treasure, and finding secrets. Collected riches can fund armor and weapon upgrades. The game uses an 8-bit-inspired visual and audio style with detailed animation and layered backgrounds. Additional modes include New Game+, cooperative play through the Shovel of Hope adventure, Challenge Mode with dozens of full-featured challenges, and Body Swap, which changes the genders and designs of main characters. The narrative uses humor, levity, and heart.
How Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope plays
- 01Overworld progression
- The map lets players choose the order in which parts of the quest unfold.
- 02Equipment upgrades
- Collected wealth can be spent on improvements to armor and weapons.
- 03Cooperative campaign
- A friend can join the Shovel of Hope adventure as a cooperative partner.
- 04Challenge Mode
- A separate mode adds dozens of full-featured challenges.
- 05New Game Plus
- A replay mode supports another run while pursuing the world’s secrets.
- 06Body Swap
- Character gender choices introduce new designs for the main cast.
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Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope: platforms & release
Is Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope worth it?
It is worth it if: retro action-adventure fans who want platforming, combat, and exploration in one campaign. Skip it if: players seeking a low-pressure platformer may hit a wall when hazards, enemy encounters, and demanding platforming dominate the stages.
Where can I download Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope on?
Windows, macOS and Linux.
