Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

TechRaptorAlex Santa Maria

9.5/10

Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment is everything you could want in a 2D platformer, featuring mechanics from classic games brought forward in clever ways. Specter improves upon the original Shovel Knight in most regards and continues Yacht Club Games' tradition of excellence effortlessly.

GameSpewRichard Seagrave

9/10

Put simply, Specter of Torment is absolutely brilliant. It’s a slice of classic platforming action that puts a smile on your face from beginning to end thanks to its engaging gameplay and pleasant presentation. If you’ve bought a Nintendo Switch and fancy a tighter, more immediate experience than the sprawling Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Specter of Torment is the game you need.

WCCFtechChristian Vaz

9/10

I think we can all agree that the Switch’s launch line-up is weak. That doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone who bought the console at launch, I mean, you all knew what you were getting into. What’s left to play after finishing Zelda: Breath of the Wild? Fortunately, Yacht Club Games managed to ship Shovel Knight (including the brand-new Spectre of Torment campaign) just in time for the Switch’s launch. So, the question you Switch owners are probably asking is: Should I buy Shovel Knight: Spectre of Torment? Yes. Yes, you should.

Nintendo World ReportZachary Miller

9/10

That is really my only criticism. You’ll be doing things in Specter of Torment that literally make you say “wow” out loud. It’s a smooth, expertly-crafted platformer filled with heart. Again, it’s a free update to your Wii U and 3DS versions so there’s no reason not to play it. For Switch users, it’s absolutely worth experiencing, as is the rest of the Treasure Trove.

GamingTrendKyle Movius

85/100

Specter of Torment puts cool new twists on Shovel Knight’s action platformer gameplay and has a fascinating story to boot. It’s challenging but very fair, and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire game. Those who already have Shovel Knight should look forward to this excellent free expansion, and those who don’t have the base game needn’t think twice about spending $9.99 for this masterfully crafted experience.

ShackNewsJason Faulkner

8/10

For those who yearn for the days of platforming yore, Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment is a dream come true. Some will be turned off by its lack of scope, especially when it seems like every major title that comes out is filled with lore and unbound exploration. However, sometimes it's just great to spend some time with a game that just has tight, precise gameplay that doesn't require you to deal with endless mechanics and crafting to get enjoyment. Specter of Torment is that game, a modernized version of the platforming games that we loved and loved to hate from childhood.