So, you’ve heard the buzz about Shovel Knight, that pixel-perfect indie darling that captured the hearts of retro gaming fans everywhere. You’re probably wondering, with all the charm, challenge, and secrets packed into this adventure, just how long does it take to beat Shovel Knight?
We’ve got you covered! Whether you’re a speedrunner aiming for the fastest time or a completionist looking to uncover every last secret, the answer isn’t a simple one-size-fits-all. The playtime can vary wildly depending on your playstyle, skill level, and how much you want to delve into the game’s extensive content.
The Core Shovel Knight Experience: Finishing the Campaign
At its heart, Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a collection of distinct campaigns, each offering a unique perspective and gameplay twist on the core Shovel Knight formula. When most players ask ‘how long does it take to beat Shovel Knight?’, they’re usually referring to the original campaign, the story of Sir Reginald “Shovel” Knight himself.
For a first-time player, someone who is enjoying the journey, exploring each level thoroughly, and isn’t afraid to retry a challenging boss a few times, you’re likely looking at somewhere between 6 to 10 hours to complete Shovel Knight’s original campaign. This timeframe allows for appreciating the meticulously crafted pixel art, the catchy chiptune soundtrack, and the satisfyingly tight controls.
This estimate accounts for:
- Exploring most of the optional paths.
- Defeating all the main bosses.
- Finding a good number of the secrets and upgrades.
- Experiencing the story without rushing.
If you’re a more seasoned gamer, particularly one familiar with classic platformers or Metroidvanias, you might find yourself blazing through the original campaign a bit quicker. A skilled player, focusing on the main objectives and mastering the boss patterns, could potentially finish Shovel Knight’s campaign in as little as 4 to 6 hours.
Factors Influencing Your Playtime in the Original Campaign
Several elements can significantly impact how long you spend with Sir Reginald’s quest: (See Also: how to get flimsy shovel animal crossing)
- Skill Level: This is the most obvious factor. If you’re a natural at platforming and combat, you’ll die less, learn boss patterns faster, and progress more efficiently.
- Exploration vs. Progression: Do you meticulously search every nook and cranny for Shovel Knight’s upgrades and secrets, or do you push forward to the next boss? The former adds considerable playtime.
- Difficulty Settings: While Shovel Knight doesn’t have traditional difficulty sliders, certain challenges or modes can alter the experience.
- Use of Guides: Relying on walkthroughs to find secrets or overcome tough bosses will undoubtedly shorten your playtime.
Beyond the Knight: The Expansive Treasure Trove
The beauty of Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is that it’s not just one game; it’s a collection of multiple, fully realized campaigns. Each one offers a fresh take on the gameplay and a new story to uncover. If you’re asking about the total playtime for the entire Treasure Trove, the numbers climb considerably!
Here’s a breakdown of the approximate playtime for each campaign, assuming a moderate pace of exploration and enjoyment:
| Campaign | Estimated Playtime (Hours) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Shovel of Hope (Shovel Knight) | 6-10 | The original, iconic campaign. |
| Plague of Shadows (Plague Knight) | 4-7 | Focuses on alchemy, bomb-throwing, and unique movement mechanics. |
| Specter of Torment (Specter Knight) | 4-7 | A prequel with a unique ‘relic’ system and fast-paced combat. |
| King of Cards (King Knight) | 5-9 | A more strategic campaign with a card-based combat system and kingdom-building elements. |
| Showdown (Multiplayer) | Variable | A fun arena combat mode for up to 4 players. |
| Co-op Mode | Variable | Play through any of the main campaigns with a friend. |
As you can see, each campaign offers a substantial experience on its own. If you intend to play through all four main story campaigns, you’re looking at a total playtime of approximately 19 to 33 hours for a single playthrough of each, at a leisurely pace.
Diving Deeper: Replayability and Completionism
The playtime estimates above are for a single, thorough playthrough of each campaign. However, Shovel Knight is a game that rewards multiple playthroughs and encourages mastery.
- New Game Plus (NG+): After beating a campaign, you can start it again with all your collected upgrades, but with tougher enemies and modified level layouts. This can add another 4-8 hours per campaign if you aim to conquer it on NG+.
- Achievements and Trophies: The game is packed with achievements that often require specific playstyles, finding all secrets, or completing challenges. Hunting these down can easily add 10-20+ hours to your total playtime across all campaigns.
- Speedrunning: For the truly dedicated, Shovel Knight is a fantastic speedrunning game. Top players can complete the original campaign in under an hour, and the entire Treasure Trove in significantly less time than a casual playthrough. This is a whole different ballgame and is measured in minutes and seconds for individual runs.
- Co-op Mode: Playing through the campaigns with a friend in co-op can offer a fresh, and sometimes chaotic, experience. While it doesn’t necessarily increase the overall playtime for a single campaign, it can encourage you to revisit them.
What About Shovel Knight Showdown?
Shovel Knight Showdown is a fantastic competitive multiplayer mode that comes bundled with Treasure Trove. Its playtime is entirely dependent on how much you and your friends enjoy it. You could have a few quick matches, or spend hours battling it out in various arenas with different characters and power-ups. It’s best thought of as an endless source of fun rather than a quantifiable “beatable” experience in the traditional sense.
Speedrunning Shovel Knight: A Different Beast Entirely
For those who are curious about the absolute shortest time it takes to beat Shovel Knight, we need to talk about speedrunning. This is where the playtime plummets dramatically. (See Also: how to keep snow from sticking to your shovel)
Speedrunners meticulously plan routes, exploit glitches (though Shovel Knight is known for being relatively glitch-free for a game of its scope), and master every enemy and boss encounter. Their goal is to complete the game as fast as humanly possible.
Here are some impressive speedrunning times for the original Shovel Knight campaign:
- Any% (Completing the game as fast as possible, regardless of what’s collected): The world record is often under 30 minutes, sometimes even dipping below 25 minutes!
- 100% (Collecting all upgrades, songs, and beating all optional bosses): This will take longer, typically in the range of 1 to 2 hours for the best runners.
These times are achieved through countless hours of practice and deep knowledge of the game’s mechanics. It’s a testament to the game’s design that it can be enjoyed both casually and at such an elite competitive level.
Comparing Playtimes: Casual vs. Dedicated
To put it all into perspective:
- Casual Player (Original Campaign): 6-10 hours
- Skilled Player (Original Campaign): 4-6 hours
- Completionist (Original Campaign, all secrets): 10-15 hours
- Casual Player (Full Treasure Trove): 19-33 hours
- Dedicated Player (Full Treasure Trove, NG+, some achievements): 40-60+ hours
- Speedrunner (Original Campaign Any%): Under 30 minutes
It’s clear that how long does it take to beat Shovel Knight truly depends on what you want to get out of the experience.
The Value Proposition: Is Shovel Knight Worth Your Time?
Considering the playtime, Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove offers incredible value. Even the shortest estimate for a single campaign provides a rich, fulfilling gaming experience. When you factor in the multiple campaigns, the replayability, and the sheer quality of the gameplay, it’s one of the best-value indie games on the market. (See Also: how to shovel without hurting your back)
Whether you have a weekend to dedicate to a single campaign or several weeks to explore the entire Treasure Trove, you’re guaranteed a memorable adventure filled with heart, challenge, and impeccable design.
Conclusion
So, how long does it take to beat Shovel Knight? For the original campaign, expect anywhere from 6 to 10 hours for a casual playthrough, and potentially less if you’re a seasoned gamer. If you dive into the full Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, including all its campaigns, your playtime can easily extend to 20-30 hours or more, especially if you aim for completion.
Ultimately, the playtime is a testament to the depth and quality of the game, offering a fantastic experience for both quick sessions and extended adventures. Your journey with the Order of No Quarter will be as long as you wish it to be!
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