Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution

Not exactly a retro throwback so much as pulling the past forward, Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution mixes the best of classic charm and more modern design sensibilities to make for an outstanding game that's fun to play and is going to be amazing to speedrun.

This long-lost chapter of the Shantae series provides more of the hair-whipping and belly-dancing action that it's known and loved for. Some might get a little frustrated by the amount of backtracking that's required, though, as well as navigating some of its maze-like locations without a map.

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is novel in that it’s a lost GBA game finally being finished and released, but that’s about all it has going for it. The adventure itself feels like just another day in the life of the half-genie heroine, with nothing really interesting to see or do. It has some bright spots, like the puzzles and transformations, but is incredibly forgettable, bland, and inconsistent.

It never occurred to me that people would make such a big deal out of a half naked genie, but I also didn’t know that people would end up watching Japanese horse racing more than most sports. People tend to gravitate towards characters and ideas if they give them something to look at that sparks a particularly funny feeling in their brain. For the half-genie character Shantae, her powers and unique storyline are often overlooked because she’s curvy, wears little clothing and…that’s ba...

I'm happy, chums, because I get to share my thoughts on Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution and it's one of my favourite games in the series.

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is an interesting ‘new’ entry in the beloved indie franchise, a curious fusion of old and new design philosophies. Its creative world-cycling gameplay mechanic, sharp 32-bit visuals, densely packed overworld, and charming narrative all come together to make for a worthwhile experience, even if some more outdated elements like the lack of a map hold it back. I’d recommend this both to series veterans and to newcomers—even if this isn’t Shantae at her greatest, Risky Revolution is a solid adventure.