To celebrate the impending success of its Kickstarter-funded platformer Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, WayForward has released its iOS predecessor game Shantae: Risky's Revenge as a free download in the iTunes App Store for a limited time.
Following up on its debut for DSiWare in 2011, Risky's Revenge originally hit the App Store as a free trial download, with the full game locked behind an in-app purchase. WayForward has since removed this restriction, and the App Store download now includes the full version of the game.
The iOS version of Risky's Revenge has also been updated with a new optional costume, along with the ability to skip cutscenes. WayForward notes that the Dancer costume has "double the magic power, but half the defense" of Shantae's regular outfit, making it an ideal fit for speedrunners.
Currently, the Kickstarter project for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero has earned over $395,000 toward its funding goal of $400,000. Developed in collaboration with Mighty No. 9 developer Inti Creates, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is set to launch for the Wii U, PlayStation 3, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC platforms in 2014.
WayForward, the developer behind adorable DSiWare and iOS game Shantae: Risky's Revenge, wants to get this thing on Steam, and it's using Greenlight to do so. You may recognize WayForward as the team behind the Adventure Time game for DS, as well as BloodRayne: Retrayal and Double Dragon Neon.
Shantae: Risky's Revenge is the highest-rated DS game of 2011 and WayForward has a slick track record, making this particular project both believable and desirable. Check out the Greenlight page right here.
Did you know that you can download handheld games now? That's amazingly convenient! The only inconvenient part of it is finding the right games to buy -- and that's where we come in, with our Portabliss column. In each installment, we'll tell you about a downloadable game on the iPhone, iPad, Android device, DSi, 3DS, PSP, etc. Today: Shantae: Risky's Revenge.
For many reasons, some worthwhile and some not so much, people balk at the idea of playing a DSiWare game. And that means that most of them missed Shantae: Risky's Revenge, which was not only the highest-rated DS game of last year, but happens to be a damned lovable game.
It's a good thing, then, that it's come to a download store that people are willing to admit patronizing (the iOS App Store). And the virtual controls work well enough that you'll be able to enjoy the game, though you may find yourself occasionally pining for the luxury of a d-pad you can both see and feel.
Whether you're a fervent supporter of independent development studio WayFoward or you're a diehard fan of the illustrious Shantae franchise -- and, really, who isn't -- you'll have reason to celebrate tomorrow. WayForward just announced on Twitter that Shantae: Risky's Revenge will arrive on the iOS App Store tomorrow.
If you're familiar with the DSiWare original, you're in for a similar experience, though the game has been optimized to make it a bit more virtual-controller-friendly. Which is to say, it's a little bit easier this time around. Also, whenever you die because you jumped when you meant to attack, a soothing note pops up, reminding you not to hurl your phone into oncoming traffic.
Wayforward's beloved half-genie is escaping the bounds of her DSi Shop-shaped bottle and exploring another platform: iOS. Touch Arcade reports that the team is porting its 2010 DSiWare game Shantae: Risky's Revenge to iPhone and iPad "in a couple of weeks." It'll feature Retina-display graphics, though you should expect a sharper version of the DS game rather than some kind of HD remake.
The company is aware of the concerns forming in all of our minds right now about the controls. "Virtual D-Pads are my personal arch nemesis," a WF rep told TouchArcade, "so I'm happy to report that ours does the job incredibly well." Additionally, the game is being tweaked to be a little friendlier to virtual controls: "Platforms are slightly wider, chains dangle a little bit closer to the player's grasp; enemy behaviors are just a bit different." Furthermore, it's "optimized" for those weird Fling and Fling Mini joystick attachments.
#downloadables
It's a banner week for the Nintendo Download, as the sequel to a belly dancing half-genie platformer for the Game Boy Color becomes the priciest DSiWare title yet. More »
Originally meant to be episodic, the long-awaited sequel Shantae: Risky's Revenge arrives on DSiWare today. At 1,200 DSi Points ($12), it's the most expensive game on the service -- though its price doesn't come close to comparing to eBay prices for the original (just the manual is $50). If nothing else, that should provide a clue as to the level of affection people, including opportunistic eBayers, have for this series.
Also available this week: a Virtual Console game. No, really!
A portion of an IGN review…
Shantae: Risky’s Revenge is easily among the top DSiWare games. And just like the Game Boy Color version you’d be making a huge mistake by skipping over this excellent and ambitious action platformer. Hopefully with the five months before the transition to the next handheld Shantae will see a much [...]
WayForward is rewarding its true fans who buy both Mighty Flip Champs and the upcoming Shantae: Risky's Revenge, with an unspecified bonus in the latter. If you have Mighty Flip Champs installed on your DSi, you'll find something special in the "import room" in Shantae's Scuttle Town.
The exact identity of the bonus will depend on your progress in Flip Champs, but, as WayForward's email announcement notes, "Whether you bought it, beat it, or rank among the best, a bonus awaits every MFC player." If you don't want to feel left out, you can still buy Mighty Flip Champs now and work on it until Shantae's October 4 release. For that matter, there's nothing stopping you from working on Mighty Flip Champs after Shantae's release.
Shantae fans have waited eight years for a followup to the WayForward-developed Game Boy Color platformer. According to an email sent out to Shantae Fan Club subscribers, the wait will end in less than two weeks. The note announces the October 4 release date for the DSiWare sequel, Shantae: Risky's Revenge.
The original could be considered an early experiment in Capcom publishing Western-developed games -- sort of a proto-Dark Void. Except Shantae is remembered fondly.
Shantae fans have waited eight years for a followup to the WayForward-developed Game Boy Color platformer. According to an email sent out to Shantae Fan Club subscribers, the wait will end in less than two weeks. The note announces the October 4 release date for the DSiWare sequel, Shantae: Risky's Revenge.
The original could be considered an early experiment in Capcom publishing Western-developed games -- sort of a proto-Dark Void. Except Shantae is remembered fondly.
The sequel to a relatively obscure Game Boy Color game is about to become one of the most convincing arguments for owning a DSi. WayForward has finally released the first trailer for Shantae: Risky's Revenge, the first in its episodic DSiWare platformer series. You can see it after the break, courtesy of IGN.
The new game appears to retain what people loved about the original -- like hair-whipping, dance-based transformations and the evil pirate Risky Boots -- and adds lovely new graphics and a multi-plane effect. If you'd like to see what's on the other DS screen in gameplay (spoiler: it's just the inventory) you can see a few screenshots here.
