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About Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment is the prequel included with every Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove purchase. Players assume the role of Specter Knight, a servant of the Enchantress, whose mission is to recruit knights and form the Order of No Quarter. His scythe, wall‑climbing, leaping, and gliding give the game a fast‑paced, motion‑focused feel.
The title adds curios to collect and upgrade, Feats and Challenge Stages for boss rematches and platform tests, and a New Game+ mode that lets players revisit the world for hidden secrets. Yacht Club Games presents the experience with 8‑bit‑style art, humor, and a soundtrack by Jake “Virt” Kaufman, while supporting full controller use and Steam Cloud.
01 / THE GUIDE
Specter Knight’s Movement and Combat
Specter Knight can climb walls, leap over gaps, and glide across the ground, providing continuous vertical and horizontal traversal. The description lists these actions as core to his playstyle, emphasizing motion and action as central to navigating levels.
Combat centers on the Dash Slash, a melee attack with his scythe that dispatches enemies. This ability, combined with his agility, defines the primary way players engage foes throughout the game.
- Observe how wall‑climbing and gliding together open routes to hidden platforms.
- Practice timing the Dash Slash to keep momentum during enemy encounters.
02 / THE GUIDE
Collecting and Upgrading Curios
Players gather curios while exploring each area. The description states that each curiosity can be upgraded, indicating a progression system that expands the player's arsenal beyond the basic Dash Slash.
Upgrading curios is presented as a way to “unleash all new special attacks,” meaning upgraded curios can unleash new special attacks.
- Prioritize curios that match your preferred combat style.
- Keep a note of which curios you have upgraded to avoid missing any special attacks.

03 / THE GUIDE
Feats and Challenge Stages
Feats are described as testable goals that assess player skill, offering clear objectives beyond the main storyline. They give players a way to measure progress and mastery of specific mechanics.
Challenge Stages feature boss rematches and platforming trials, providing structured opportunities to refine techniques. The description notes “boss rematches, platforming challenges, and more,” indicating a variety of replayable content.
- Use Challenge Stages to practice boss patterns before the main encounter.
- Review Feat requirements to set short‑term objectives during a playthrough.
04 / THE GUIDE
New Game+ and World Secrets
New Game+ offers a second playthrough as a new challenge, with the description linking it to uncovering all of the world's secrets. The description links this mode to uncovering “all of the world’s secrets,” suggesting it is intended for deeper exploration.
New Game+ offers a new challenge and a chance to revisit the world, and it requires no additional purchase since the title is included with Treasure Trove.
- Take notes on unexplored zones during the first playthrough.
- Re‑enter New Game+ to verify any hidden collectibles you may have missed.
05 / THE GUIDE
Platform Availability and Steam Features
Specter of Torment runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux via Steam, and includes Steam Achievements, Trading Cards, and Cloud saves. These features are listed without implying regional restrictions or additional requirements.
Full controller support and Remote Play options (Phone, Tablet, TV, Together) are also provided, indicating flexible input and streaming possibilities across devices that run Steam.
- Enable Steam Cloud to keep progress across multiple computers.
- Experiment with Remote Play Together to share the experience with friends.





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