Shovel Knight Retrospective Episode 5: Speedruns with Smaugy
![](https://www.tiredgamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shovel-knight-_Episode-5-1024x576.png)
World record holding Shovel Knight speedrunner joins us for the final Shovel Knight episode for a new perspective on gameplay mechanics.
Shovel Knight Retrospective Episode 4: Narrative Design and Art Direction
![](https://www.tiredgamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SK_Ep_4-1024x576.png)
Shovel Knight is a fantastic example of how art and narrative can be used to enhance the action of a game without pulling the player away from the core mechanics that make a platformer engaging.
Shovel Knight Retrospective Episode 3: Progression and Power-Ups
![](https://www.tiredgamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SK_Ep_3-1024x576.png)
Progression is a powerful tool in game design, but it requires a careful balance between challenge and reward.
Shovel Knight Retrospective Episode 2: World and Level Structure
![](https://www.tiredgamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SK_Ep_2-1024x576.png)
Platformers moving from left to right is nothing new in game design, but Shovel Knight takes this classic idea and uses it to deliver a deeper experience.
Shovel Knight Retrospective Episode 1: The Downward Thrust
![](https://www.tiredgamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/SK_Ep_1-1024x576.png)
Shovel Knight is filled with elegant game designs, some of which are clear to the player and others of which are so well done that they are invisible.
Coming Soon: Shovel Knight Game Design Analysis
![Shovel Knight game design analysis](https://www.tiredgamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/shovelknightannouncement-1024x576.png)
The first full season of our indie game analysis series will kick off on Friday, Sept. 18.