Today’s Yacht Club Games Presents has come to an end, revealing Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX, a brand-new entry in the Shovel Knight series, and more.
The nearly 30-minute showcase mostly gave fans a better look at how the retro game developer plans to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its groundbreaking platformer. What that means for players, though, is that the future of its blue shovel-wielding hero is brighter than ever.
That’s thanks to things like Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX, a beefed-up version of Yacht Club’s classic that it is referring to as the “definitive edition” of the experience. It promises 20 unique playable characters like Shield Knight, the Enchantress, and many of the members of The Order of No Quarter. Shovel Knight DX also adds a rewind feature and save states as well as more than 300 cheats for those looking to tweak the experience to their desires. Other promising features include online multiplayer modes and the return of Challenge Stages, Custom Knight, and the Battle Ghost Arena. No release date or platform lineup has been revealed yet, but its Steam page can be found here.
We’re excited to announce Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX- an enhanced edition of the adventure that started it all. Embark on a quest to save Shield Knight, defeat the evil Enchantress, & bring down her Order of No Quarter.
But that’s not all…THERE’S A TON OF NEW FEATURES! pic.twitter.com/XVstU21H9D
— Yacht Club Games – YCG Presents airs on 6.14 (@YachtClubGames) June 14, 2024
Shovel Knight DX is the experience fans know and love with a fresh coat of paint, but in the future, the team will reveal what it’s calling “a brand-new mainline Shovel Knight game.” The mysterious project is in development, and Yacht Club refrained from showing off too much today. However, the team seems to be heavily teasing that the untitled Shovel Knight game could finally propel the titular hero into 3D.
“We’re committed to crafting an experience that not only honors the Shovel Knight legacy but also pioneers groundbreaking, innovative gameplay mechanics,” Yacht Club designer Sean Velasco said. “This isn’t just another sequel – it’s a bold new adventure that will launch Shovel Knight into an entirely new dimension of gaming.”
The only footage shown for what could be the first mainline 3D Shovel Knight game was a shiny new 3D version of the studio’s logo. Yacht Club teases that players can also look into titles like Shovel Knight Dig, Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon, and the Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove collection for “hints” of what’s to come.
In other Shovel Knight news, the team says players can expect to receive the Shovel Knight Dig Wicked Wishes DLC, which adds quests, bosses, and more, for free this summer. The Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon Paradox Pack, meanwhile, is slated to arrive for free this summer and brings mod support on PC as well as new playable characters, challenges, secrets, and more. The Shovel Knight chaos will also continue on other non-Yacht Club experiences like For Honor, Brawlhalla, and Fall Guys Ultimate Knockout, where crossover content will soon return for a limited time.
The Yach Club Games Presents put Shovel Knight on a pedestal to celebrate its 10-year anniversary, but the team also made sure to highlight its next game, Mina the Hollower. In the update, the team explained that while it is nearing the completion of its first pass on all level content, Mina’s debut adventure has “grown significantly larger than initially anticipated.” A “grand gameplay reveal” will arrive in the near future, but there is still no release date.
Fans can expect to dig into additional Shovel Knight festivities, including a vinyl repress for Shovel of Hope, new merch releases, live events, and a worldwide game jam, soon. For more, you can read our original 9/10 Shovel Knight review. You can also check out why we think the game is one of the best games of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One generation here.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.
