Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment - Opinions

As a character, Specter Knight is an archetypal badass. You know it, he knows it, and those caught in his path of destruction sure know it too. He's a poltergeist with a purpose who takes names and makes sure to look cool while doing it. Slick, efficient, and just brooding enough to make the cape he wears seem practical, Specter Knight is the answer to those who saw Shovel Knight as too rigid and Plague Knight as too crazy.

Boasting both the shortest campaign and the simplest moveset among the knights, playing as Specter Knight is a return to the basics, with short and sweet levels catered to highlight the potential of this new antihero. Armed with the Swiss army knife of an attack that is his Dash Slash, Specter Knight is able to conquer many challenges with a single move, although his wallrunning fills in when you can't cut your way through. While overall less hectic than playing as Plague Knight, Specter Knight's moveset still allows players several ways to save themselves from bottomless pits, making him a good deal less frustrating than Shovel Knight, despite being about as complex mechanically. Where Shovel Knight is based on precise platforming, Specter Knight's gameplay instead brings more attention to the timing and planning required to land safely. It's a good deal easier to remain airborne as Specter Knight and really get into a groove as you slice through enemies, making his playstyle much more graceful: a good balance between two extremes that is able to carve out its own identity quite well.