Shantae: Half-Genie hero

Unique characters shine in magical animated platformer By David Chapman, Common Sense Media Parents need to know that "Shantae: Half-Genie Hero" is a side-scrolling action/adventure platform game. There's a steady stream of action and violence, but its cartoonish style is more akin to a Saturday morning cartoon and lacks any sort of blood or gore. There are some slightly suggestive themes, including characters SUHVHQWHG LQ VRPHZKDW UHYHDOLQJ RXWÀWV DQG GDQFH moves similar to those of a belly dancer.

WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

"Shantae: Half-Genie Hero" is the latest action game that takes players across the problem-plagued shores of Sequin Land. Between wild creatures, magical minions, and pestering pirates, the people of Scuttle Town are no strangers to trouble. Luckily for them, the town is under the protection of Shantae, a half-genie guardian with a wicked whip of a ponytail and the ability to shapeshift into different animals. After getting an ominous warning of an impending threat to the human realm and the realm of the genie, Shantae sets out on a quest to save two worlds, and possibly discover the truth about her heritage and her missing mother at the same time. Along the way, Shantae will be joined by her diverse group of friends and family, all of whom help her to overcome the obstacles in her way. But will even that be enough to stop the pirate Risky Boots and her latest plan to defeat Shantae and rule the world?

IS IT ANY GOOD?

7KLV DQLPDWHG DFWLRQ SODWIRUPHU KDV ÀQDOO\ EHHQ updated with HD graphics, but keeps its classic platforming elements to draw in and entertain gamers. 7KH KDQG GUDZQ DQLPDWLRQ LV EULJKW FRORUIXO DQG ÁXLG Regardless of how much is happening onscreen or how big the visuals get (and there are some pretty big ERVV ÀJKWV WKH SHUIRUPDQFH QHYHU VNLSV D EHDW 7KH RQO\ WKLQJ WKDW UXLQV WKH LOOXVLRQ LV WKH EDIÁLQJ GHFLVLRQ to not include any voiceovers, pulling the player out of the experience in order to read through line after line of scripted dialogue. Gameplay is easy to pick up and play, and should be instantly familiar to platformer fans. Basic run, jump, and attack gameplay is bolstered by a surprising amount of exploration. As the story unfolds, Shantae gains the ability to morph into a variety of animals, each with their own unique abilities to reach previously unexplored areas. This backtracking to previous areas can occasionally feel a little repetitive, but the game does such a great job of keeping the story moving along and changing things up that it never feels frustrating or stale. Overall, "Shantae: Half-Genie Hero" is D JUHDW FODVVLF VW\OH RI SODWIRUP JDPH ÀOOHG ZLWK XQLTXH characters that's sure to keep players entertained from VWDUW WR ÀQLVK

GAME DETAILS

Platforms: Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows, Xbox One Price: $29.99| Developer: Xseed Games Release date: 12/20/16 | Genre: Action/Adventure ESRB rating: T for cartoon violence, suggestive themes. Recommended for ages 13 and up