Review: Shantae and the Seven Sirens Part 1

cre: Review: Shantae and the Seven Sirens Part 1

Genie in a portable bottle

It’s hard to believe that Shantae and the Seven Sirens is just… released on the Apple Arcade (sort of)! I want to say Shantae the games are an event at this point after the incredible second screening of Risky’s Revenge.

From Game Boy Color rags to Let’s-release-on-every-platform-under-the-sun riches, Shantae has more than earned her place in gaming history (cough To break DLC), and Seven Sirens continues this legacy.

Or at least, what we are allowed to play right now seems to honor it.

Shantae and the Seven Sirens Part 1 (iOS)
Developer: WayForward
Editor: Go forward
Released: September 19, 2019
MSRP: part of Apple Arcade ($4.99 per month)

Wait, what is this “Part 1” case?

To mark some sort of day one exclusivity with Apple Arcade, WayForward has released some of the Seven Sirens game, which is planned for PC and all major consoles. Read: you now get part of the full game, with a free update coming in the future that will be tied to your save file.

Thing is, this is an entirely legit Metroidvania-focused game. Shantae game, no questions asked. There are multiple save slots, there’s no IAP nonsense (as Apple Arcade rules require right now), and it’ll apparently cost you $5 (after your free trial) to get there. play, while gaining access to a ton of other Arcade subscription games in the process. Then you’ll have to shell out $5 to complete it when part two comes around if you need to reload your sub. Do whatever you want with it.

Again, it’s a full Shantae attached, and I couldn’t be happier that it’s coming the same day as official controller support on iOS. Touch can be finicky when jumping (otherwise the virtual d-pad and buttons are generally good), but playing with a controller is absolutely the rule. Since Shantae herself mostly jumps, whips hair (her basic attack), occasionally casts spells, and dances (mostly for progression), you don’t really have to go out of your way for anything. : the transformations are instantaneous and integrated.

I’ve always liked the idea of ​​being able to whip as fast as you can mash your button (and there are attack speed boosts again), as it makes combat more impactful, with a higher skill cap to start the speedrun. Quick Forms in Part 1 like the triton (which is similar to the monkey of old) and the drill (which allows you to move through the sand like a miniature version of dig dug) are excellent, especially if you opt for touch controls.

Then there’s the monster card collection mechanic. But by killing any enemy in the game, you can pick up their namesake as an item, which you can equip to gain a number of passive skills like ability boosts or faster crawl speed (if only she was teaching “Metroid” how to crawl!). It’s just generous enough not to feel grumpy and addictive enough to add a fair amount of replay value.

Seven Sirens also relies heavily on half-genie hero pattern in multiple ways. The whole aesthetic is borrowed from the previous game (which, to be frank, isn’t long in the tooth but considering how good it still is), as is the doubling up of genius companions. The interactions between Shantae and the other half-genies are adorable, and the quest to defeat the mermaids (the bosses, basically) is delightfully old school. That’s to say nothing of the very spare, but wonderful animated sequences.

Everything traditionally starts linear and then opens up: but always maintains this secure base, sometimes to its detriment. Risky Boots (the sworn enemy of the Shantae Pirates) appears as a recurring Proto Man-esque miniboss, there are some very light puzzles reminiscent of WayForward’s past catalog (you may recognize the screen above from switching force), and that’s really all the surprises you get. At about three o’clock (for Part 1) you really can’t stretch beyond that, other than squeezing about an hour more if you go all out. The series could probably be on autopilot at this point. It’s a Shantae Fans Shantae game, and just as it begins, it abruptly ends.

Shantae and the Seven Sirens will become a worthy entry in the series once the full game arrives (on iOS and all other platforms). It’s a shame that Part 1 had to be concocted to suit an Apple Arcade promotion, because I want more.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game through an Apple Arcade subscription purchased by the reviewer.]}

source: gameplaytrick.com -

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