Duskfade Review

A new take on an old classic

Duskfade is the kind of game that reminds you why classic 3D platformers were so good. Developer Weird Beluga clearly understands what made games like Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank worth playing, and they've built something that captures that same sense of adventure without just copying the template. After spending time with it, I came away impressed by how well the fundamentals hold up, even if a few rough edges stop it from reaching the heights of its inspirations.

For our early thoughts on the game before this full playthrough, check out our Duskfade first impressions.

Exploring Tearfeld

Official In-Game Screenshot

You play as Zirian, whose life falls apart after a mysterious incident involving his sister, Allira. A strange tower appears in the centre of Tick Town, and Zirian sets out across the world of Tearfeld to destroy the chains holding it in place and reach her. The setup is familiar, but the game's presentation and cast of strange NPCs do enough to keep things moving.

The first thing that grabbed me was the clockwork-inspired architecture. Each area has its own visual identity, and travelling between them genuinely feels like an adventure. I kept wanting to see what the next location would look like. Hidden collectibles and breakable objects are scattered throughout, giving you reasons to search every corner, and the soundtrack and voice acting complement the world well without ever getting in the way.

Here's the thing, though: there's no proper map. Finding your next objective is straightforward enough, but if you're aiming for 100% completion, you're on your own. Without any overview of an area, it's easy to waste time retracing your steps through places you've already cleared. For a game that actively encourages exploration, this is a frustrating omission.

Platforming done right

Official In-Game Screenshot

Controlling Zirian is a genuine pleasure. Jumps feel reliable, dodging hazards comes naturally, and the more demanding sections rarely feel unfair. The controls give you the precision you need without overcomplicating things, which is exactly what this style of game demands.

As you progress, you unlock new abilities that open up more ways to move through the world. The level design makes good use of them, keeping traversal interesting across different areas rather than letting it go stale. The fundamentals are strong here, and Weird Beluga understands that good platforming doesn't need to be complicated to be satisfying.

Combat gets in the way

Official In-Game Screenshot

Unfortunately, combat is where Duskfade stumbles. Zirian's attacks are responsive, and the rhythm of attacking and dodging feels decent in isolation. The problem is the camera. During encounters, it lags behind the action, and when you're fighting multiple enemies at once, it actively works against you. Lock-on helps, but it doesn't fully solve it.

The result is that mandatory combat sections start to feel like interruptions rather than highlights. The more the game forces you into them, the more tiresome they become. That's a shame, because the bones of the system aren't bad. It's a fixable problem, and it's the kind of thing that stands out precisely because everything else feels so polished.

For tips on handling some of the tougher fights, our Volcano Route boss guide covers the attack patterns and dodge windows for Wrath and Guayota in detail.

How Duskfade stacks up

Verdict

Duskfade was a pleasant surprise. It brought back the feeling of playing 3D platformers as a kid, and despite its flaws, I had a genuinely good time with it. The platforming is the star, the world is worth exploring, and Weird Beluga has done a solid job capturing what makes this style of adventure enjoyable.

The combat camera is a real issue, and the missing map will frustrate anyone going for full completion. The story is predictable, though the characters carry enough charm to make the journey worthwhile. None of these problems ruin the game. They just stop it from being as good as it could be.

If you miss this style of platformer and want something that gets the fundamentals right, Duskfade is worth your time.