Developers: WayForward
Publishers: WayForward
Platforms: iOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release dates: iOS – September 19, 2019 (iPhone, Part 1), September 30, 2019 (iPad & tvOS, Part 1), March 28, 2020 (Part 2)
macOS – October 7, 2019 (Part 1), March 28, 2020 (Part 2)
Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch – May 28, 2020, EU June 4, 2020 (Switch)
Shantae, everyone’s favorite half-genie, is back for an all-new adventure. Shantae and the Seven Sirens is the fifth title in the flagship series from Wayforward. This time around, Shantae and her friends are invited to a tropical island to participate in the Half-Genie Festival. During a performance, the other half-genies in attendance mysteriously disappear, and Shantae must search the island and the sunken city beneath it to find them and uncover the reason for their abduction. Along the way, she runs afoul of her longtime nemesis Risky Boots and the mysterious rulers of this island, the “Seven Sirens”.
Shantae and the Seven Sirens takes Shantae back to the roots of her first three entries. She travels interlocking worlds as she searches for the other Half-Genies who have been kidnapped. Speaking with other characters will help Shantae learn the mysteries of the island. She still retains her ability to transform into other animals, but she now uses “fusion magic” instead of dancing. Fusion Magic allows Shantae to quickly transform into other animals and use their abilities which allow her to transverse different areas of the island. One example, Newt Dash, grants Shantae the ability to change into a newt and climb walls after dashing toward them. This is like her monkey transformation from previous entries. Another new transformation allows to turn into a hermit crab to dig through areas blocked by sand. What even more is that Shantae can switch between her forms without reverting to her regular self, given the right conditions. While exploring the island, I came across a large area filled with sand. One portion needed to be reached with Newt Dash. After clinging to the wall, I climbed up and immediately changed into the hermit crab to burrow through the same. This transition is seamless and makes for easy travel which can be tricky at first.
Shantae seems to be channeling “Yu-Gi-Oh!” with monster cards that are collected after defeating the various creatures that inhabit the island. These cards can be equipped to augment Shantae’s abilities. They range from increasing her crawling speed and climbing speed (as a newt) to not losing energy when falling into pits and creating greater impact with her magic spells such as the Iron Ball and Flame Thrower. Speaking of magic, Shantae is granted another new ability. When she rescues the other Half-Genies, they impart a portion of their power unto Shantae for her to use. Shantae can access this magic through dancing. With Plink’s magic, Shantae can use Seeker Magic to reveal hidden objects. Vera’s magic allows Shantae the heal herself and revive certain objects such as dead plants, statues or even a man sleeping on the job.
There is more voice acting in The Seven Sirens than in the last entry, Half-Genie Hero. Christina Vee returns as Shantae and performs the opening song. Shantae is not the only one with a voice. Each main character she interacts with has more lines beyond vocal expressions. Trigger, the studio behind Kill la Kill and Little Witch Academia, animated all the cutscenes including the opening sequence and interaction scenes with the main characters. Along with the return to past entries, the music of Seven Sirens is a callback to Shantae’s early days, bringing a retro feel to this modern platformer. Shantae and the Seven Sirens is a return to the classic adventures of the Half-Genie Hero with beautiful graphics, amazing gameplay and a great adventure that makes this another wonderful entry in Shantae’s story.
3.75 out of 5.
Check out the Shantae and the Seven Sirens Original Soundtrack on Spotify!
