Deal | Steam: Unusual dungeon crawler with strong reviews free to play for a limited time

Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon – developed by Vine and published in collaboration with Yacht Club Games – launched in December 2021. Best described as a dungeon crawler with puzzle and roguelike elements, the game’s unique genre blend earned high praise, including an 8/10 score from IGN. At the center once again is Shovel Knight, the iconic hero from the 2014 indie classic. Armed with his trusty shovel, he battles enemies, uncovers treasures and digs his way through cleverly designed levels.

In Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon, the titular hero stumbles upon a mysterious magical artifact – the Pocket Dungeon, a magical, cube‑shaped puzzle box. The moment he touches it, he’s pulled inside and meets the eccentric Puzzle Knight, who urges him to unlock the secrets of the dungeon. Along the way, Shovel Knight encounters other trapped knights. Defeating them not only frees them but also unlocks them as playable characters, each with a unique backstory and playstyle. According to IGN, this diverse cast adds depth and variety to the gameplay, offering strong replay value.

The gameplay in Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is tactical and surprisingly deep. Enemies, chests and healing potions continuously drop onto an 8×8 grid – reminiscent of classic puzzle games. But instead of shifting tiles, you control Shovel Knight directly, navigating the board, battling monsters, gathering items and planning each move to avoid being cornered. Survival depends on how well you use enemy positioning and attack order to your advantage, making each run a strategic challenge. IGN praised the game’s mechanics but pointed out flaws in its roguelike progression. New relics don’t necessarily ease the difficulty – in fact, some of the most powerful items are available right from the start. The lack of an online multiplayer mode was another noted shortcoming.

Despite a few minor criticisms, Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon received strong reviews. IGN gave it a solid rating, and the positive reception extends to Steam, where – despite having only around 500 reviews – 91% are favorable. On Metacritic, the game holds a Metascore of 84 and a User Score of 7.1, reflecting a generally positive consensus from both critics and players.

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