Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is a Kickstarter-funded multiplatform console game. It is set for release on Wii U, PS3, PS4, VITA & VITA TV, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Steam (Windows PC). The game will be the fourth entry in the Shantae series, after Shantae, Shantae: Risky's Revenge and Shantae and the Pirate's Curse.
The game was crowdfunded on Kickstarter from September 2013 to October 2013, but donations were still possible via PayPal on WayForward Technologies' official website, and closed on December 16th, 2014. The game was originally slated for an October 2014 release, but it was delayed to account for development of the stretch goal rewards. The game is set to be released on 27 September 2016, and will experience a simultaneous digital and physical release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita and Wii U, handled by XSeed Games.[1]
Story
In our story, Shantae is roused from a deep sleep, suddenly alert. She plunges into the moonlit forest in search of answers. In nearby Scuttle Town she discovers a mysterious trapdoor, and beyond that, a luminous subterranean cavern. A familiar voice calls out, drawing Shantae to a beautiful fountain. Touching its waters she is immediately spirited away to the fabled Genie Realm. At her feet a magical seal swells as some powerful evil seeks escape. The chamber trembles with a deep, bellowing roar and everything goes white. Shantae sits upright, back in her bed. Was it just a dream? Or a vision of things to come?
Stretch Goals
Features in the game if certain amount of funding, via Kickstarter and/or Paypal, is reached.
| Name | Type | Description | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risky Mode | Game Modes | Play as Risky Boots with her own story and abilities. | $500K | Funded |
| Sequins of Unfortunate Events! | Bonus Chapter | Mystery and new location. Additional chapter and transformation. | $600K | Funded |
| Costume Swap | Gameplay Addition | Replay the adventure with re-balanced stats and special moves. | $700K | Funded |
| Fire and Forget! | Bonus Chapter | New character, mystery, and new location. Additional chapter and transformation. | $800K | Funded |
| Hero Modes | Game Modes | Play as Rottytops, Bolo, and Sky with their own stories and abilities. | $900K | Funded |
| A Dish Served Cold! | Bonus Chapter | Return of Nega-Shantae! Additional chapter and transformation. | $1M | Not funded |
| Voices | Additional Feature | Full voice acting for all modes. English with subtitles translated for multiple languages. | $1.1M | Not funded |
| Clockwork Night! | Bonus Chapter | Risky reformed(?), new location, new threat. Additional chapter and transformation. | $1.2M | Not funded |
| Animated Cutscenes | Additional Feature | High TV quality, fully animated cutscenes with voice overs and music. | $1.3M | Not funded |
Kickstarter funding ended on October 4, 2013. Paypal funding ended on December 16, 2014, with a total of $947,937.[2] WayForward Technologies have stated that the unfounded features will most probably never be implemented, although they don't close the door to the possibility of downloadable contents if the game sells very well.[3]
Soundtrack
The music for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero will, like for the other episodes, be composed by Jake "Virt" Kaufman. The theme song for the Kickstarter campaign for the game was Dance Through the Danger with vocals by Cristina Vee.
The digital soundtrack will be provided as a reward along with the game to backers with pledges at or above $25.
Credits
The confirmed crew on the game so far is as follow:
- Matt Bozon: creative director.
- Jake Kaufman: music composition.
- Cristina Vee: theme song, voice of Shantae.
- Mariel Cartwright: animation.
- Gigi D.G.: backgrounds art.
- Jesse Lopez: lead animator.
- Armando Soto: animation director.
- Makoto Yabe (aka KOU): artworks.
- Ranko Prozo: lead environment artist.
- Damon DuBois: 3D art director.
- Tim Curry: lead technical artist.
- Chris Kerlegon: animator.[4]
Media
Videos
Gallery
Trivia
- The original key art had Shantae paler than her previous games. The trailer also showed her to be paler. Matt Bozon explains in an interview (found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDQUa_96N7E ) that the trailer's portrayal was due to a mistake caused by the lighting engine they were using, which carried over to the promotional materials.
References
Links
- WayForward's Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Page. Paypal and updates on funding amount.
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