Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is getting a ‘Hard Core Mode’ soon

Also look out for newfound PlayStation TV support

With the latest update for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero due out on March 6, WayForward is tidying up some bugs, adding PlayStation TV support, and introducing a free new “tough-as-nails” Hard Core Mode.

The mode isn’t solely about making enemy attacks more punishing and giving you less margin for error, though that is part of the “charm.” These bullet points paint a fuller, more pain-filled picture:

• Pain and suffering!
• Harder hitting enemies!
• Faster enemy patterns!
• Faster scroll speeds!
• Remixed enemy locations, and more of ’em!
• New Boss patterns, attacks, and stats!
• Healing Items capped at six!
• Re-balanced magic items!
• Poor Shantae!

So it’ll be harder, yes, but in ways that’ll make the game feel fresh. Looking ahead, Risky Boots Mode is still in production — “we’re creating custom level content for her, and we expect to be working on this mode through Spring” — and there’s this intriguing note: “The team over here is excited for Switch, and WayForward is a Switch developer. And yet, we haven’t announced… anything at all? It makes you think we’re up to something. It’s all so suspicious! Don’t worry – we’ll have more info for you soon.”

Update 1.01 is Ready! Hard Core Mode and More! [Kickstarter]