Shantae Game by Wayforward, published by Capcom Reviewed by Bron Raven Save: Battery Save, 3 slots Released: July 2002 Works with: Gameboy Color and up. (Excluding Micro) **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: Since Phil apparently isn't gonna post a Shantae review, I have taken the matter into my own hands and decided to review this game myself. (Editor's Note: I am working on one. It just.. is not complete yet.) **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: The game follows the Castlevania II formula. Shantae's town is attacked by the nefarious (and extraordinarily sexy) lady pirate Risky Boots. Her Tinkerbats steal a Steam Engine from the old inventor Mimic, and it is up to Shantae to stop Risky before she causes any more trouble. You go through the overworld fighting monsters and go through towns buying items, playing minigames and talking to people. It might have been done before, but this game takes the formula and puts its own signature style on it. Liked: Everything Hated: Nothing **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: The character sprites are some of the greatest on the Game Boy Color. They really being out the characters' personalities. Risky Boots the pirate lady laughs sadistically, struts like a supermodel and wields a reeeeally big sword. Her sprite even has high heels! Bolo, Shantae's dense, girl-crazy friend from Water Town, tells her that he told Risky where the Water Dungeon is without a thought to how she would react, and he says so with a big grin. Rottytops the zombie-girl has a condescending smirk on her face and breaks off her leg to pick a lock. Shantae herself whips her hair, shoots fireballs, does flip-kicks, and dances to modern-style music. These sprites can stand toe-to-toe even with quite a few GBA games, which is quite a feat considering Shantae's sprites only have six colors and Risky, four. Liked: Very expressive sprites and backgrounds, especially for the amount of technology available at the time. Hated: Nothing. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: The music in this game is just plain awesome. It ranges from "Arabian Nights" music to modern dance-style music. It's a crying shame Virt won't let this music be sequenced into MIDIs. At least you can download MP3s of this music. Especially recommended is the music for the opening stage, and the first dungeon. Liked: Everything Hated: Virt (the guy who composed the music) won't let the music be sequenced into MIDIs for vgmusic.com. **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: Shantae is a gaming masterpiece, but there are a few glaring flaws I must get out of the way: Firstly, it's too short. One can easily go through the game from start to finish in at most three sittings. Secondly, the methods of defeating some bosses, especially the second-to-last one, is very difficult to find out. Liked: Practically everything Hated: Too short, the methodology of beating two of the bosses is too hard to figure out without a walkthrough. **************************************************************************** Improve: More levels! RIYL: Castlevania II, the Metroid Series, beautiful women. **************************************************************************** Final Words: Whenever I hear OutKast's "The Way You Move" on the radio, I think of Shantae. Can't wait for Shantae Advance. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: ***** Sound/Music: ***** Play Control/Game Design: ****3/4 Personal Opinion: ***** Total: 24 3/4 stars. Final Score: 99% **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: None.