Forget overblown set-pieces and forget in-depth narratives that'll make you question the very fibre of your being. Hell, just forget 3D graphics altogether, Shovel Knight proved earlier this year that when you've got a character, presentation and soundtrack that genuinely sweats rivers of charm, the very act of controlling the thing is like some primal cortex-activating pleasure switch. There's definitely been a great many naff 2D side-scrollers this year, something that doesn't help when both Sony and Microsoft seem intent on throwing them at consumers as monthly freebies despite the vast majority looking more at home on a phone screen. However, like last year's Rogue Legacy, when the team behind a project know exactly what they're doing, there's nothing quite so instantly pleasurable as an old-school side-on platformer. The score too as mentioned, is a righteous celebration of all the blips, bloops and bounces of old school midi-soundboard creation, helping to bring Shovel Knight and his glorious sense of humour to life. With a base level of challenge that'll give you a run for your money, alongside the ability to smash checkpoints you've cleared if you're feeling confident enough, SK is the gamer's game, an incredibly cerebrally-engaging title you'll never forget.
