Duskfade
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Duskfade
Duskfade is the epitome of a flawed gem. There's an excellent game in here, but Weird Beluga hasn't quite managed to find it yet. Duskfade thus feels like a great 'proof of concept' release where, despite the jank, it provides a strong foundation for a potential sequel to build upon.Gorgeous graphical design, enjoyable platforming, and a heartfelt story all make this one a worthwhile endeavour, even if the combat can get tiresome and navigation frustrating. I'd suggest picking up Duskfade if you're feeling particularly nostalgic for the early-2000s era of gaming, though perhaps this is one to hold out for a modest sale before grabbing it.
Duskfade reminded me that a game doesn't need to reinvent the wheel to leave an impression. Sometimes, all it takes is a colorful world, satisfying movement, charming characters, and a genuine sense of passion behind every little detail to make you feel enthralled.
Duskfade is a consistently delightful platforming adventure that hearkens back to a simpler time, made all the better by the colourful and interesting clockwork world it's set in.
Duskfade is a confident reminder of why 3D platformers once reigned supreme. Packed with character and charm, it’s a great adventure which places movement and traversal at the forefront.
Duskfade stands as nothing more than a competent pretender. There's nothing particularly remarkable here despite a few thought-provoking and alluring biomes, a decent premise, clockpunk USP, and some nice offensive enhancements for Zirian. You will enjoy Duskfade, though its ambitions are mostly encased in nostalgia and it can't tick along with the greats of the genre.
A game inspired by titles like Jak and Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, and (especially) Kingdom Hearts, but one that struggles a bit to find its footing and offer something original. The first half is a bit of a slog, but once a few key mechanics are introduced, the game becomes fun and replayable thanks to its pseudo-3D Metroidvania structure. The platforming mechanics and lock-on system require some getting used to, but overall, Duskfade is enjoyable and suitable for a very wide audience thanks to its multiple difficulty levels.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Duskfade offers a heartfelt, emotional story, gorgeous visuals, excellent boss design, and plenty of hidden goodies to keep you scouring its beautiful locales for a couple dozen hours. The voice acting can occasionally feel a little awkward, and combat timing can take some getting used to, but it still remains one of the best platformers of the year.
Duskfade wears its Kingdom Hearts inspiration proudly, blending fast-paced combat with collectathon platforming and a charming time-themed world. While its slow progression and lack of a map can frustrate, it’s still a fun, brisk adventure that does enough to establish an identity of its own.
