Trying to cash in on nostalgia is a trick that gamers are intimately familiar with at this point. Games throwing in pixel graphics and an 8-bit soundtrack with no regard to actual quality is a common sight on the vast expanses of Steam. Normally, these games would be easy to ignore and forget. But on rare occasions, a real gem is found in the nostalgia-laden wasteland, and one of the most notable of these gems is the fantastic Shovel Knight.
Last year, Shovel Knight showed the world how a retro platformer is done, being widely recognized as the best of its kind. As the winner of numerous game of the year awards, Shovel Knight has earned its reputation and set the bar for what a good nostalgic game should be.
Its fame is letting it branch out to new markets and platforms, and Shovel Knight will be coming to PlayStation consoles on April 21st. Shovel Knight will be releasing on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita.
This is not simply some direct port, though. The PlayStation versions of Shovel Knight will feature a unique encounter with the God of War himself: Kratos. The exact details of how to unlock the fight with Kratos are staying shrouded in mystery.
"...you can’t just run into Kratos by chance. He’s very tricky to find! Keep your eye out for secrets… and possibly even double secrets, to learn how to discover this battle. Once you figure it out, he’ll appear on the world map."-David D'Angelo, Developer at Yacht Club Games
While the fight promises to be intense, it is hinted that the battle with Kratos is not without reward - Shovel Knight may be able to learn something useful for unlocking the secret and achieving victory. The God of War also has his own 8-bit theme to let him fit seamlessly into the Shovel Knight world.
Xbox One owners should prepare themselves, as well. Shovel Knight is also set to release on the Xbox One sometime in April, featuring an appearance from the Battletoads.
Are you ready to take on the God of War? Are you excited to see Shovel Knight reaching more platforms? Will you be picking it up?
