World record holding Shovel Knight speedrunner joins us for the final Shovel Knight episode for a new perspective on gameplay mechanics.
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.
Progression is a powerful tool in game design, but it requires a careful balance between challenge and reward.
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 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.
The first full season of our indie game analysis series will kick off on Friday, Sept. 18.