Shovel Knight returns in Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon

Yacht Club Games, developer of Shovel Knight and its spin-off campaigns, has announced yet another Shovel Knight spin-off. Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is a puzzle-themed rogue-like title featuring the Blue Burrower. The developers have also shown off a trailer that reveals some of how Pocket Dungeons’ gameplay will work.

Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon finds our hero Shovel Knight lost in the mysterious Pocket Dungeon, and must team up his guide, Puzzle Knight, to find his way home.  True to the other Shovel Knight titles, Yacht Club games promises to maintain the series’ signature brand of humour. Series composer Jake Kaufman will also be returning to compose Pocket Dungeon’s chiptune-heavy soundtrack.

Pocket Dungon’s gameplay is a fairly big departure from previous Shovel Knight entries. The game is similar to a falling block puzzle, where the player controls Shovel Knight as he interacts with enemies and items by bumping into them. He can maximise his effectiveness by grouping foes together for massive chain attacks. Players can also equip Shovel Knight with items and equipment to prepare him for any encounter. Familiar bosses and locations from the original Shovel Knight also appear.

In addition to a Story Mode, Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon will also include a competitive multiplayer mode. This mode will allow the player to play one of over 10 playable heroes from the game, each with their own unique power and play style. More games modes are also said to be included, but we will need to wait for more information. Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon does not yet have a release date, but Yacht Club Games will be showing off their progress at PAX East along with a playable demo.

In addition, Yacht Club has also revealed some more information about its other Shovel Knight spin-off in the works, Shovel Knight Dig. Shovel Knight Dig takes cues from the Steamworld Dig series, and follows Shovel Knight as he tunnels through procedurally-generated levels to hunt down Drill Knight and his villainous team of Hexcavators, who have stolen his loot. Yacht Club have revealed a new member of Drill Knight’s team, Hive Knight. Hive Knight fights alongside his Beeto partner to oppose Shovel Knight’s quest. Shovel Knight Dig is set to release sometime in 2021.

The main Shovel Knight platformer series may be finished with the recent King of Cards campaign, but it’s clear that Yacht Club still has many plans for the Blue Burrower, and the world they’ve created for many years to come.