DeVuego

Duskfade might not reinvent the clockwork, but it certainly knows how to make the hours fly by. It’s a gorgeous, heartfelt adventure that leans heavily into the nostalgia of classic platformers, and honestly, that’s a big part of its charm. I’ll definitely be going for the 100% completion in the days to come and will lovingly revisit this colourful world many times over in the years to come! Duskfade had me hooked from the first gear to the final tick, and I’m already wishing I could turn back the clock and play it again.

Es una aventura sencilla, divertida y con mucho encanto, que recupera una fórmula que muchos llevábamos tiempo echando de menos y consigue darle suficiente personalidad como para que no se quede únicamente en un ejercicio de nostalgia. La historia es muy interesante y los personajes te gustarán muchísimo.

I love how the PS2 defined the 3D platforming era. It was exciting, original, and full of absolute belters! Accordingly, I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to try my hand at Duskfade. It is a PS2-inspired title that helps lovers of the genre get their nostalgia hit. More than that, though, it has a deep and meaningful story that drives many touching subjects.Sony PlayStation Weird Beluga Studios has developed this single-player 3D adventure platformer. It is brilliantly retro, as there are puzzles to complete, tight spaces to navigate, and plenty of familiar mechanics. However, it is nicely polished, and I love the theme-related settings, the drip-fed mechanics, and the almost never-ending combat.

Duskfade has some clear problems. The map design could have been better, especially in the earlier regions, where the lack of a map can make exploration confusing. The camera also has issues during combat, and the target lock does not always select the enemy we want. Regular combat is also quite simple, especially at the beginning, with limited variety in enemy attacks, while progression takes a while to unlock the tools that actually make the gameplay more interesting. To top it all off, the PC version reviewed here offers very few graphics options, almost none, and a port that leaves something to be desired in several technical aspects. Still, it is difficult to ignore the number of things I enjoyed during the campaign. Zirian’s movement is precise and becomes increasingly fun as new abilities are unlocked. The projectile parry mechanic, Chrono Shot, Pendulum, and different devices help transform the experience as we progress, while the bosses make good use of what we have learned throughout the journey. Exploration also has plenty to offer, with collectibles, secrets, upgrades, and areas that encourage players to return after acquiring new abilities. Visually, Duskfade is also very impressive. Its environments are detailed, colorful, and full of personality, while the characters have great animations and expressions. The soundtrack fits the adventure very well, and the voice acting helps make the cast more charismatic. The story is simple, but it works within the game’s premise, especially because of the personalities of Zirian, Allira, Tristan, Cuco, and the various characters we encounter along the way. In the end, Duskfade is an enjoyable adventure that takes a while to show everything it has to offer. It modernizes several characteristics of classic 3D platformers, while also repeating some familiar problems from the genre. I would have liked some systems to be more refined and for the PC version to have received more attention, but the precise movement, bosses, exploration, characters, and art direction make the journey worthwhile. I would mainly recommend it to players who enjoy 3D platformers and do not mind exploring a world that, at times, demands a strong sense of direction.

"Duskfade is a delightful platforming adventure that wears its Kingdom Hearts inspiration proudly while carving out its own identity. With tight acrobatic platforming, satisfying combat, and a stunning art style backed by an unforgettable soundtrack, it proves to be a genuinely charming and rewarding experience."

Although it has some significant shortcomings precisely in the areas that would have benefited from further refinement, it is difficult not to give the team credit for bringing a genre that seems increasingly rare back to life, with meticulous attention to both its visual presentation and level design. Duskfade is certainly a title full of potential, offering everything needed to make a player fall in love with it, while rekindling in me the feelings I experienced back in the day playing titles such as Vexx and Jack and Daxter.

It is a dated and beautiful game, for worse, and often for better. Can I recommend it to a player without a strong cultural memory of games of the era this was inspired by? That’s a tough one. But for anyone who remembers Jak, Ratchet, iNinja, Sphinx and Tak among others, with Duskfade, Weird Beluga have bottled that nostalgia, warts and all, and it’s not overused or repeated. In short – they don’t make them like this anymore.