Earlier this year Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse was announced for the 3DS, and now even more Shantae is on the way, with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero coming to the Wii U (as well as PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Steam.)


Or it will be, if and when it reaches its Kickstarter funding. With over $60,000 of its $400,000 goal funded already on day one, it seems like a pretty sure bet, but let's not leave this to luck, ok? Not many details on what makes this stand out from the other Shantae titles are available yet, but for now this is what we know, straight from the Kickstarter page:

Now Shantae's headed for the living room, but her core gameplay elements will remain intact:

-Whipping! Destroy monsters, topple bosses, and solve puzzles with your hair
-Belly Dancing! Dance to transform into a variety of creature forms
-Platforming! Run and jump through deviously designed levels
-Exploring! Navigate a world of interconnected levels and Labyrinths
-Customizing! Earn new abilities, unlock stat-boosting artifacts, magic & costumes
-Storytelling! Flirtatious characters and wonderfully off-beat humor

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero continues the tradition of action/adventure in the spirit of Metroid, Castlevania, and the Legend of Zelda. Our goal is to introduce Shantae to a whole new audience with a fresh art style and a brand spanking new storyline. As always, we're putting pitch perfect controls in the front seat.

Are you excited? What do you hope to see from Shantae's first console appearance?

SOURCE: Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Kickstarter

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@Pokefreak911 I... have no idea. Ask him. He sort of seems to view indie developers as inferior on some level.

Posted by

Zero

on: 09/05/13, 17:33

I remember Amanda being pretty turned off by Shantae. "Why is she always dancing around and shaking her hips? Why does she have to attack with her hair all the time?" I have to admit, I never thought Shantae was the most original idea in the world.

Finally watched the video. It looks really good visually (and sounds amazing) but I dunno if I'll get behind this one. I liked Risky's Revenge but I don't know if I liked it enough to stick with the franchise.

Posted by

PogueSquadron

on: 09/05/13, 18:55

Already backed. The tier I pledged ($12 early backer) is sold out. Looks like they'll easily make their funding goal.

I need to crack open the original now. I've got it downloaded and ready to go.

Posted by

ludist210

on: 09/05/13, 21:52

I enjoyed Risky's Revenge well enough, but I think I'm Shantaed out for some reason. WayForward has always had A-level visuals with B-level gameplay and stage design, so I'm not overtly excited for this. I am enjoying DuckTales a lot though!

Regarding the boobage, wasn't that some sort of controversy with former WayForward members? They sure like their spunky, revealing female protagonists...

Posted by

TriforceBun

on: 09/05/13, 22:04

@TriforceBun
Yeah, I seem to remember the Yacht Club folks wanting to get away from those particular female designs, or saying something to that effect. Guess they wanted to start doing more of their own and less of Bozon's stuff.

Posted by

r_hjort

on: 09/05/13, 22:12

@Zero

Project CARS isn't cancelled at all. Whats wrong with you?

They were doing crowdfunding BEFORE it was cool. The game is landing in the Spring.

@deathly_hallows

We all do.

Posted by

Mr_Mustache

on: 09/06/13, 00:34

TriforceBun said:

WayForward has always had A-level visuals with B-level gameplay and stage design, so I'm not overtly excited for this.

Indeed.

Mutant Mudds >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mighty Switch Force

Posted by

Simbabbad

on: 09/06/13, 00:38

@Mr_Mustache But is the Wii U version still in development? I mean really, actually in development? A lot of developers have backed away from the Wii U.

@Simbabbad I'd agree with Mutant Mudds > Mighty Switch Force for sure, but Shantae: Risky's Revenge tops both. One of the best digital downloads that I've played.

Posted by

Zero

on: 09/06/13, 00:50

@Zero

It says 2014 Q1, I don't know what else to tell you.

Posted by

Mr_Mustache

on: 09/06/13, 01:10

PogueSquadron said:

"Why is she always dancing around and shaking her hips? Why does she have to attack with her hair all the time?"

Because she's a genie. (or half-genie, I guess)

Posted by

GameDadGrant

on: 09/06/13, 01:15

I backed this. I loved the DSiWare game, and I know I'll buy it eventually, so I might as well get it at a discounted price!

You know, assuming they get their $400K.

Posted by

rebonack

on: 09/06/13, 02:00

@GameDadGrant A combination of not being able to afford a new system, and not really caring for most of the game lineup. If Sayonara Umihara Kawase gets a North American release then I might get a 3DS at that point.

Posted by

X-pert74

on: 09/06/13, 03:10

@X-pert74 They've definitely said there are plans to release outside Asia, but that was several months ago and they said to expect something at E3. I've got a good feeling it's actually coming, but keeping the fingers crossed.

Posted by

nate38

on: 09/06/13, 03:58

This is actually the first Kickstarter ever backed. Given the momentum it has, I hope it meets all it's goals and it'll turn into a fully-fleshed out adventure. Also, did somebody say "non-paid-dlc costume changes"? I so miss being able to unlock a costume by beating hard mode than paying 2.99.

Posted by

Graptakular

on: 09/06/13, 06:28

Simbabbad said:

TriforceBun said:

WayForward has always had A-level visuals with B-level gameplay and stage design, so I'm not overtly excited for this.

Indeed.

Mutant Mudds >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mighty Switch Force

You still haven't tried Risky's Revenge, right?

Risky's Revenge >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mutant Mudds.

The mixed opinions of Risky's Revenge on this board kind of surprise me, to be honest. I thought it was a fantastic title that encapsulated and modernized the best things about old-school 2D adventure games. Not consciously retro. Just classically styled and awesome.

@ludist210
That tier was designed to sell out early, I think. Since it has the same rewards as the $15 tier. Kind of annoying. They should've provided a ton of slots. Pre-ordering is pre-ordering.

Posted by

Anand

on: 09/06/13, 15:17

Why did they change the way Shantae looks? The new art direction is...weird. Not sure if like.

Posted by

GameDadGrant

on: 09/06/13, 15:34

@GameDadGrant
They've been kind of moving her from sprite art to anime for a while.

Posted by

Anand

on: 09/06/13, 15:41

@Anand

Risky's Revenge is a completely different game. That's like comparing Pushmo with Super Metroid.

Posted by

Simbabbad

on: 09/06/13, 16:13

Yeah but considering that this thread is about a Shantae sequel, it's probably the most relevant WayForward title to predict how good the sequel may be. I see Risky's Revenge (and hopefully these sequels) as being on a whole other level than their "Mighty" games (which to me are mostly low 8s material.)

Posted by

Zero

on: 09/06/13, 16:19

@Simbabbad

Mutant Mudds and Mighty Switch Force! are pretty different as well. Sure, they're both platformers, but Force! is more of a puzzle game.

Posted by

ludist210

on: 09/06/13, 16:20