When comparing Mage Gauntlet vs Shovel Knight, the Slant community recommends Shovel Knight for most people. In the question“What are the best pixel art games?” Shovel Knight is ranked 6th while Mage Gauntlet is ranked 50th. The most important reason people chose Shovel Knight is:
Shovel Knight has very colorful pixelated graphics, a decent chiptune soundtrack, excellent 8-bit sound effects, and the controls feel really fluid and responsive. So whether you’re just running through a castle, shoveling away at gems in a tunnel, or even jumping on a dragon’s head, Shovel Knight is a blast to play.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Master mode
Once the game is beaten, master mode unlocks which has mixed levels and new secret areas.
Pro Robust loot system
Mage gauntlet has a very robust loot system that includes many different armor and weapon sets as well as upgrades for spells.
Pro Unique magic system
The magic system in Mage Gauntlet consists of a limited moveset of four spells that need to be replenished from in world urns, making for a bit of a balancing act of when to use spells in order to get through the tougher parts of each level.
Pro Touch screen controls work great
Like other RocketCat games, the on screen controls are spot on.
Pro Very reminiscent of SNES era games
Mage Gauntlet has the design similar of games such as Chrono Trigger or Secret of Mana, making for a experience full of nostalgia.
Pro Feels great to play
Shovel Knight has very colorful pixelated graphics, a decent chiptune soundtrack, excellent 8-bit sound effects, and the controls feel really fluid and responsive. So whether you’re just running through a castle, shoveling away at gems in a tunnel, or even jumping on a dragon’s head, Shovel Knight is a blast to play.
Pro Great for couch co-op
Because Shovel Knight can be pretty hard at times, bringing a friend along can help out a lot. The two of you can work together to take down enemies and communicate the best ways to handle jumps and special skills. Plus, if one of you is more experienced with the game, that player can help the newcomer along and teach them the ropes instead of leaving them to figure out everything on their own, possibly to the point of frustration. Playing this game with another person is a fun way to bring back the feeling of couch co-op on the older retro systems.
Pro A unique experience
Shovel Knight has 2D pixel art, a simple gameplay, and a retro feel. It stands out in an era dominated by 3D titles with super detailed graphics and convoluted gameplay because of its influences from classics like Zelda, Castlevania, Duck Tales, and even Super Mario Bros. It’s not just trying to cash in on the nostalgia of older players because it’s a game that can be enjoyed by anyone thanks to its polish.
Pro Pretty fun risk versus reward system
In each stage, there are multiple checkpoints you can revive at if you die. The twist is that you can destroy the checkpoints for extra treasure. Doing this also means you’ll have to start from the beginning of the stage if you die. It’s a pretty cool way to increase difficulty and add tension to a playthrough, especially because it’s never forced on you.
Cons
Con Lacks depth in gameplay
Mage Gauntlet is primarily focused on action-based gameplay and tends to forget many traditional RPG-elements such as upgrading and gathering loot. Mage Gauntlet is filled with corridor fights that aren't ideal for extended play, while boss fights lack variety because they all behave in a similar way.
Con Story is lackluster
While borrowing from many RPG greats from the past, the plot feels a bit derivative while also falling a bit flat. Better writing could have definitely helped flesh out the adventure more.
Con Can be frustrating
While Shovel Knight captures a lot of SNES era’s good parts, it also brings back some of the bad parts. It's mostly the hidden enemies that attack you as soon as you approach their hiding spots, causing you to take needless damage or even die. This adds a really tedious trial and error aspect that forces you to memorize all enemy placements just so you can beat a stage. In addition to dealing with the enemies, the timing of jumps or using special skills at the right moment adds to the frustration. Press the button too early or too late and you'll end up back at the start of a platforming section or worse, dead.