Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows

Shovel Knight already felt complete at launch, but Plague of Shadows just makes it even more enticing. The fact that it's a free update for existing (and new) owners rather than paid DLC is the cherry on top.

The game is certainly very challenging, but its graphics are still top-notch, as is the case for the fantastic music of Virt (Jake Kaufman). Yacht Club Games have given us a fun follow-up to Shovel Knight: Shovel of Truth. This new campaign is just as big as the first one, so you’ll be spending several hours playing everything the game can throw at you.

Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows is certainly different from Shovel Knight: Shovel of Truth. While you do visit locations from the original campaign, the way Plague Knight plays makes the new campaign a completely unique experience. Flying through the air thanks to some carefully activated bursts and throwing a bomb or two to slow down your fall are very interesting gameplay mechanics and make a beloved game feel fresh.

This is a portrait of what its genre can offer. It's only downfall is it may not have taken enough chances to truly distinguish itself.

With Plague of Shadows, Yacht Club Games has proven their dedication to quality twice over. This expansion meets expectations and more. What could have been little more-or-less than a model swap turned out to be an immersive, fully fleshed out gaming experience that stands on its own two feet. Over the course of the last two weeks, I have become a Yacht Club Games fanboy, and I eagerly await the next playable character for Shovel Knight. No matter which Knight decides to follow Plague Knight's lead, I'm sure it will be the bomb…

Shovel Knight is still an unrivaled audiovisual homage to Sega and Nintendo consoles. If you like ruthless platformers and already own Shovel Knight, enjoy Plague of Shadows. It literally costs nothing. If you prefer precise controls, however, slightly altered levels and bomb crafting may not justify Plague Knight's momentum-heavy play style.

Plague of Shadows is a great addition to an already wonderful game. There's a lot to experience, and considering the asking price is absolutely nothing, it's a generous offering. It's so good in fact, that we've enjoyed Plague of Shadows more than most other DLC, which sometimes feel like you're being charged a lot for little in return. With our love of shoveling rekindled, we hope to see more of this classically-inspired gem very soon.

If you already have Shovel Knight, you can play this for free today. For people who haven't already bought Shovel Knight on whatever platform you own, what's wrong with you? It's one of the best games I've ever played, and this massive content pack doubles its scope. Acquire it for shovelry!