Pirate leader Risky Boots and her Tinkerbats steal a prototype steam engine from Mimic, Scuttle Town's resident treasure hunter. In Shantae, the town's self-appointed genie guardian sets out to recover it before Risky can use four magical elemental stones to turn it into a weapon.
The search takes Shantae across Sequin Land and into dungeons to retrieve the stones. Her abilities include dancing and hair-whipping, while Bolo, Sky and Rottytops help her on the journey.