Go get your shovel, and let’s start digging! Is that what this game is all about? There’s only one way to find out. Shovel Knight Dig is a Platform video game developed by Nitrome and Yacht Club Games. It is part of the shovel Knight series, the third one in the series, and a prequel to the original. Shovel Knight Dig was released on September 23, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch, Steam, and Apple Arcade.

 This platform roguelike video game follows the protagonist, Shovel Knight, who digs and fights enemies. His purpose for fighting is to reclaim his stolen treasure bag from Drill. Hence, he has to dig and fight enemies through several worlds. Is the digging part exciting? Well, I thought it was. I mean, who wouldn’t want to dig with the Shovel Knight? I certainly do, especially after the first two games.

Explore the Undergrounds with the Shovel Knight

The player assumes control of the Shovel Knight and digs through procedurally generated levels. While digging, the player collects gems and fights enemies. The player faces a boss at the end of each world and tries to defeat them. After defeating the boss, they will proceed to the new world. When you get killed, you get taken back to the surface. You can use your collected gems to buy better armor and amazing items.

Its gameplay is also very similar to the first game in the Shovel Knight series, Shovel of Hope. As a roguelite game, Shovel Knight Dig brings all the usual hallmarks of the genre; permadeath, procedurally generated levels, and small elements of permanent progression that give every successive run the potential to be slightly easier than the last. The control of the blue-clad armored Knight control is the same as that of Shovel of Earth. The protagonist’s moves are the same; they fight enemies with the same behaviors. No, it isn’t too boring or repetitive, as it has an air of uniqueness that will keep you hooked for a long time.

Shovel Knight Dig Has More to Offer than the Typical Side-Scroller Right-to-Left Games

Although this release is very similar to the earlier games in gameplay, the developers have added more features to double the fun. They added plenty of new enemies, new relics, and incredible new hazards. Shovel Knight Dig is not the traditional side-scroller game that has you moving from right to left. No, the Shovel Knight Dig has unique top-to-bottom movements for each level. 

The level designs and moving from top to bottom may not be as easy as it is interesting because now you will have to be careful how you descend. If you’re not careful, you can get stuck and become unable to get out or get hit by the excavator. This limitation is because while Shovel Knight can dig sidewards and downwards, unfortunately, he is not given the ability to dig upwards. It is advisable to take things easy and think strategically before you act. Never take things slow, or you may get whooped by a one-hit kill excavator. This one-hit kill excavator follows you through each level, and when you waste too much time, it pays you an unexpected visit. Not fun.

Different Levels with Exciting Packages and Gems to Amass 

Shovel Knight Dig has a four-level campaign. The levels are filled with an intriguing treasure chest, Secret Passage, valuable gems, and equitable relics often hidden in dangerous areas. There’s tension, a risk, and a reward too. Once you have accumulated enough gems, you can purchase new relics and accessories between runs. It’s fun but doesn’t have a significant impact.

Aside from new relics, there are other things you can use your gems to acquire. You can use your gems to purchase shortcut tickets. These tickets enable you to start the run at a deeper stage. Also, you can use the gems to buy armor sets that have various wild effects when you find their blueprints. You can buy equipment upgrades with gems. Equipment upgrades equip you to carry more items when spelunking and also use the gems to purchase special keys that enable you to unlock new relics.

The Developers Could do More About the Accessories’ Usage

Like many other side-scroller games, 

So purchasing new items, relics, special keys, and the like is great. Still, they don’t give you a feeling that you are making any progress, which sucks because it doesn’t bring out the best in terms of skills and abilities. You can hardly even tell the difference from when you didn’t have those new items or upgrades; however, the upgrades of equipment which aid you in carrying more Items when spelunking. Purchasable items don’t give the feeling of progression.

The armor sets give you that vibe and make your character look good. It gives you the motivation to save up gems to get them. While these items don’t help make the gameplay easier, they add to the aesthetic values. It also feels exciting to chase and get them. They also make the game visuals look more beautiful than they already look.

Conclusion

I don’t enjoy boring side-scroller games. It makes you do the same thing over and over and over again. Fun when you’re bored and need something to keep your hands moving. But I don’t give these games a second look when I’m ready for real gaming time. Shovel Knight Dig is, however, different. It was worth the time I spent playing, with so many features that have you coming for more. I didn’t enjoy the upgrades much, but I enjoyed the gameplay, amazing music, and visuals. If you are looking for a side-scroller game with a difference, you should check Shovel Knight.