The world of Salt hangs on the brink of collapse. The citizens, once free spirits, now stand oppressed and isolated. But not all is lost, for out of this aether of fear arises a heroine, a ray of hope. Her name is Dandara.
Welcome to a unique 2D metroidvania platformer full of mystical creatures and boundless exploration. Defy gravity as you jump across floors, walls, and ceilings alike. Discover the mysteries and secrets hidden throughout the world of Salt and its diverse array of characters. Empower Dandara for combat and survival against enemies bent on oppression.
Awaken, Dandara, to bring freedom and balance to this directionless world.
ENTER THE HIDDEN REALMS - The Trials of Fear Edition* adds 3 new areas to explore, a new big boss, new powers and mechanics, new music tracks, a new secret ending, as well as many quality of life updates and more!
UNCOVER THE SALT - The Trials of Fear Edition adds a whole new focus on story, fleshing out the lore of the Salt and its inhabitants. Find new descriptions, dialogues and cutscenes for existing characters and environments!
INNOVATIVE CONTROLS - Built natively for both touchscreen and gamepad input, movement and combat interact smoothly and seamlessly.
BOUNDLESS EXPLORATION - Traverse across the esoteric world of Salt through fast and fluid jumps off any surface, unhindered by gravity, in lovingly crafted environments.
CHALLENGING PROGRESSION - Use a combination of speed & skill, wits & reflexes, to solve puzzles, earn power-ups, and access areas previously unreachable.
BEAUTIFUL AND IMMERSIVE WORLD - A visual and auditory wonderland comes to life through gorgeous handcrafted pixel art and original soundtrack compositions.
* Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition content is free to download to all existing owners of Dandara.
-
This version
4.41 (337)
Promo video
N/A
Icon
0.5/0.5
Rating quality
0.8/1.0
Rating volume
0.4/1.0
Heuristic score · not affiliated with Apple or Google.
Signals: version bump ≤ 7 days + review velocity ≥ 1.5× the 7-day median. Both ⇒ Active event; version only ⇒ Recent update; spike only ⇒ High engagement.
Update History
v1.2.0
Apple
released 3/25/2020
Release notesHide notes
•General minor bug fixes.
•Overall fixes to stability.
•Several typos fixed.
Versions observed by AppWolf's store pollers · newest first · up to 50 shown. History begins when an app enters our catalog - earlier versions aren't retroactively visible.
Reviews
Sentiment
Filter·
50 of 50 loaded reviews
Apple
2y ago
Can‘t find how to save progress
Everytime I quit the game, nothing has been saved, and I have to start a new game. I saw the auto-saved mark, but it doesn’t work. The image, story and movement are good, though.
- Syd Joyce · v1.2.0
Apple
2y ago
The greatest game of all time
Fr
- briannaaa.c<3 · v1.2.0
Apple
3y ago
Not fun, not easy to play
The game has a mechanic that makes it difficult to play, and adds to this my making it disorienting.
- Scottmill · v1.2.0
Apple
3y ago
Inventive Metroidvania
Dandara is such a spectacular game. I was skeptical at first with the controls, but after I adjusted, I realized that this was a fantastic gem of a game. The graphics are gorgeous, the music is some of the best I’ve heard in a game and the gameplay is unlike any other. The boss fights are some of the coolest I have ever seen. Pick this one up. It works with a controller but also touch too.
- Clubberofseals · v1.2.0
Apple
4y ago
Controls too unresponsive on mobile
Cringe level response time in tense moments turn rewarding difficulty into sore thumbs and frustration. Avoid.
- Macdonc2 · v1.2.0
Apple
4y ago
Incredible metroidvania
This game is criminally underrated, it’s easily one of the best metroidvanias ever made. The movement system is extremely satisfying and the artwork is superb. I can’t recommend this game enough.
- C-Fox13 · v1.2.0
Apple
4y ago
Fantastic game
It took me about 9 hours to beat
- Fungus_Phil · v1.2.0
Apple
5y ago
I’m so happy there’s more
I played the original Dandara for 17 hours - beat the game and then hunted down every chest and unexplored area. And I immediately wanted more. The expansion is perfect, and it simply downloaded in the background, silently, for free.
- Dranorter · v1.2.0
Apple
5y ago
.. ... ....
Home run game, yet fishy, yes fun , have to say over all one heck of a gameplay ...yep...
- Mitch401501 · v1.2.0
Apple
5y ago
Disappointing
After sufficient time playing, the version for iOS has very disappointing controls.
I don’t understand how the apple device understand my gestures and responds precisely but app mad for the device does not.
iCloud does not function across device. SUPPORT has not lived up to its name…
1 star.
- Victorgilles · v1.2.0
Apple
5y ago
Doesn’t Work
I have an iPhone 11 and this game refuses to work. On a clean re-install it either never stops checking the cloud for saves when I try to start a new game or it freezes when transitioning after the first part of the game. Very disappointed a well-made game like this is so busted right now.
- F.E.A.R.fan17 · v1.2.0
Apple
5y ago
Better than Castlevania
I’ll still give Metroid the top slot for this genre, but Dandara is super cool. Unique character movement, creative world building that doesn’t feel same-y, and serious difficulty that forces you to get better without causing you to throw your phone across the room.
- starttheclock · v1.2.0
Apple
5y ago
Difficulties
Hi,
I hope to like the game. I am using an iPad, and having a great deal of difficulty in the first few areas just opening the down passage doorways that have the down arrow icon. So much so that I don’t know if I will have the patience to continue. Is there something I am missing? Using the touchpad, and tapping dozens of times on the icon both as an arrow and as a door(i guess that’s what it is) just does not open the passageway. Very frustrating.
- Martial Raines · v1.2.0
Apple
5y ago
Graphics/text need help
Old-style game for Nintendo users. Save your money for another game.
- Zoki Zye · v1.2.0
Apple
5y ago
Excellent controls, beautiful, fun game
The controls are unique and well executed and easy to use with touch screen. The pixel art is top notch. The gameplay is fun and unique. I highly recommend checking this game out. Dandara is very impressive
- JC993372525 · v1.2.0
Apple
5y ago
Game is really good but it keeps quitting and I lost my data
This game is really fun, I love it very much. The music, the story, and the gameplay are all top-notch. But I’m writing this view just for a question.
But recently I haven’t been playing this game as much as before and last 3 weeks ago I wanted to play it again, and when I launched it, the bar was around 50% and the game just quits and brings me back to my iPad Home Screen. I did this multiple times then decided to delete the app. I reinstalled it, but when I hit the Open button, it does the same things to me. Then when I go to my settings, I couldn’t find the game, like, it literally didn’t exist as an app anymore and I couldn’t even offload the game.
I wrote a request to RawFurry support but I’m not getting any responses.
Three weeks after (which is now), I couldn’t wait any longer and decided to delete the game, sign out of my Apple ID, and then reinstall the game. I just reinstalled my game; when I open it, it loaded without crashing! But then when I click “start game”, no files could be found and I had to restart everything, so I click “start game” on an empty file, then the app crashed.
Could you please fix this? I love playing the game and I definitely wouldn’t give you a 1 star just because of an error, and definitely wouldn’t ask for a refund, but I’m waiting too long ;(
- Kid backwards · v1.2.0
Apple
6y ago
Sequel?
This is a great metroidvania game. I’d get the sequel if there is ever one made.
- Miguelefant · v1.2.0
Apple
6y ago
Dandara is a stellar platformer
Dandara packs a ton of fun. The game is easy to pick up and offers a challenging variety of enemies and obstacles. Timing is important, so it’s encouraging that the controls are tight and responsive. I found switching the leap and shoot button most effective. If you’re looking for a platformer that’s both fun and challenging, I highly recommend Dandara.
- shakendfries · v1.2.0
Apple
6y ago
Update!
Hey Dandara team: I’m so excited about the Dandara updates! First version was great, and I’m stoked to explore the new stuff!
- atwood4734 · v1.2.0
Apple
6y ago
Great game with a bug or two.
Just about everything is great with this game. I hope there are more like it. I like the originality. but there is one frustrating thing that messes me up. If you are in a fight and your health gets low and you use an essence, sometimes it does not fill your health and still deducts an essence. Which makes planning your fights more of coin flips than anything. Other than that I really enjoy the game.
- Vertigoa · v1.2.0
Apple
6y ago
So good until it’s not
An amazing game with wonderfully innovative gameplay. The first third is mildly paced exploration with superb everything, but as soon as you need to hunt the three “bad guys” in their respective mazes, the gameplay shifts out of puzzles into reaction speed and straight out panic in some places. Here, it completely lost me. The frustration level went from a mild “1” to an “11” and it’s disappointing that such excellent gameplay devolved into old-school NES tactics. Had to delete without completing it, which bums me out.
- punkerbutter · v1.2.0
Apple
6y ago
Try it
Cool game! You must have patience at the beginning to learn the game well. I like playing games in bed with easy controls that can be time consuming and make you think. No ads. Easy controls. Lots of options. I ended up using cheats but it’s hard enough of a game as it is. Sometimes too hard but you might like that. Good stuff thanks for creativity in the app world finally. 👍🏿
- Dookiedad · v1.2.0
Apple
6y ago
THEE best game I’ve EVER played on my ipad
Great platformer, very fun, a long adventure with tons of discovery. I was really amazed and a rarely buy phone games (with everything thats free out there) but this game was worth 3x the price to me at least. Absolutely worth playing.
- Mello Digital · v1.2.0
Apple
6y ago
Misleading
Calling it a “Metroidvania” in the description is misleading. The game mechanics are somewhat interesting but it felt like a bait and switch.
- Jmzrrr · v1.2.0
Apple
6y ago
So much to discover! So Many Reasons to LOVE
This game was amazing!! Here is a list of why I loved it:
- The visuals satisfied my love of retro gaming. The way next level areas were blocked is classic and clever in that you had to win/ discover the right tools before you could move forward.
- Once mastered, the movement technique was awesome! I also love that I didn't have to worry about landing on something I wasn't supposed to, mostly. The movements also allow you to go FAST if you, like me, are a speed demon - but some levels forced me to focus and SLOW the freak DOWN.
- I am so glad there was a level that involved artists, musicians and scientists.
- The world is VAST and interesting! I was so excited to discover each new location.
- I appreciated the color coding in the map. The twisting directions are challenging but if one keeps peeking at the map from room to room its easy to locate where you are. (I was a bit confused by the camera icon.)
- Defeating enemies and acquiring salt was addicting.
CHALLENGING! (PLUS A TIP FOR UPGRADES)
- It took me two playthroughs to get the hang of why salt is SO IMPORTANT to upgrades. I didn't have enough life to beat the final boss... so I REPLAYED it (which I found I did not mind at ALL) and made sure to find a camp AS SOON AS I HAD ENOUGH SALT to upgrade. I maxed EVERYTHING OUT. Yet still, the final boss was preeeety tough (but enjoyable to play because REASONS and I don't want to spoil things)
My only critique is that even being maxed out on upgrades, I still had to apply cheat codes when fighting the final boss. I'm incapable of being zen enough to limit my magic and move without getting too banged up! Alas, I don't care, it was an AMAZING RIDE.
I might even play through it yet again, as I loved the feel of moving around the world. 100% explored.
- Lydia Monster · v1.2.0
Apple
6y ago
Novelty wears thin
I really wanted to like this game. I SHOULD like this game, I thought. I tried several times, kept forcing myself to pick it back up, but, after many attempts, I just can’t do it.
1. This plays nothing like a Metroidvania game. Not necessarily bad, but not as advertised. There is no platforming or secret wall-breaking with a feel that you’d expect from SOTN or Zero Mission, and there’s little meaningful backtracking or sequence breaking.
2. The jumping movement style is incredibly tedious. I get that the developers were probably trying to do something experimental, but the movement feels more restrictive than liberating. The level design necessitated by the back-and-forth movement also renders every area to feel exactly the same since EVERY zone converges toward simply being a rectangular corridor with varying background vignettes.
3. The orientation turning feels pointless. Since every side of every room is potentially a floor and a ceiling due to the movement style, when the screen rotates upon entering a new zone, it just feels arbitrary, as there’s no real up or down in the entirety of the game.
4. Dying and losing your salt (essentially exp) is annoying. This is perhaps personal taste, but for a game that claims to be a Metroidvania, which are based on exploration and trying new paths, having to return to your body every time feels dissonant to the core gameplay. I feel like I’m punished for exploring or making a “wrong” turn by having to do the EXACT same thing if I mess up and die. It’s boring and repetitive, and, rather than feeling rewarded for discovering a new zone or mentally noting a place to go back to later, I instead groan thinking about the forced deja vu that death brings. I don’t mind dying—I loved Order of Ecclesia, and that game whooped me constantly—but I hate having to slog the same territory just for another chance to try every time, or risk losing upgrade progress if I want to try a different path.
A few positives—the game looks great! The animation is smooth (her scarf looks dope when it flutters), and the colors and pixel art are gorgeous. The controls are also butter, and you can tell they were designed with touch screen in mind. All in all, though, I just couldn’t get into this game. Several core gameplay decisions just strike me as unfun, and I feel like Dandara just doesn’t deliver the same experience that the games it’s clearly inspired by deliver. I do look forward to future games from these devs, as they clearly have great ideas, but this one just ain’t for me.
- mrmonkey1234 · v1.2.0
Apple
6y ago
Flawless!
I can not recommend this game enough. It’s an absolutely flawless iOS gaming experience. Easy to learn and tough to master like the best of the classic games we grew up with.
If you’re looking for a long and engaging single-player game to sink your teeth into, this is it.
- Rafael Cazo · v1.2.0
Apple
6y ago
Amazing!!!
This game is, simply put, amazing! It does not hold your hand at all and actually encourages exploration, it almost made me feel like I was playing Castlevania with a twist. The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay keeps you on your toes, especially towards the later parts of the game. Hats off to Long Hat House, no pun intended, eagerly waiting for a second part!👏🏽
- Eddie_Avelar · v1.2.0
Apple
6y ago
Believed The Hype
I normally don’t like low res, retro looking games. And it’s no surprise it’s not for me. It’s not just the looks. It’s the constant jumping from place to place. No walking, running. The character/story doesn’t grab me.
But I wouldn’t knock anyone who likes it. Games are meant to be enjoyed and this one just isn’t for me.
- davidreview · v1.1.9
Apple
6y ago
Great game great updates
A premium game, without in app purchases. The best part is developers keep adding content and always updating. Worth twice the price easily, everyone should buy and support quality games
- Chriss29 · v1.1.9
Apple
6y ago
Fair and fun
I’m always worried when buying a platformer that it will be punishingly difficult, where one missed jump means losing progress. No so with this one. Several hours in, it’s not easy but it’s fair, and jumping around the world without gravity feels satisfying. Amazing aesthetics as well.
My only complaint is that there should be fast travel and better marking of points of interest on the map. As is, I have to waste time backtracking trying to find where to go next.
- Lingrush24 · v1.1.8
Apple
6y ago
Criminally Difficult
Call me whatever you want but I feel like this game is so difficult that the sense of accomplishment of defeating a boss is outweighed by the frustration of repeatedly dying. In later parts of the game even if I turned on cheat mode it still felt like a headache - and I’m not just talking boss fight, some later rooms are just filled with difficult enemies that respawn every time you die. If you are into difficult games, then this game might suit you.
- ImBadAtGames47839 · v1.1.8
Apple
6y ago
Great Game! One Huge Flaw!!
They put the game pause button right next to movement controls. Very bad. It causes the game to get paused accidentally all the time. Please please please move the pause button.
- Jankadoodle · v1.1.8
Apple
6y ago
Love the game but lost all progress
I love this games so much! It reminds me of hollow knight and I’d rate it 10/5 if I could and if I hadn’t lost all my progress.
I started playing on my Apple TV and with iCloud I was able to continue playing on my iPhone. After over 2 hours of gameplay, I tried to continue playing on my Apple TV, and it looks like the save file is synced (it shows 2+ hours of gameplay and that I’m lv 6) but the game made me start over and I’m not able to continue from where I was left off even on my phone.
I hope this problem can be fixed and I really hope it can happen without me losing my progress. Other than that, great game, it was worth every penny. I really recommend it.
- SquareMike95 · v1.1.8
Apple
7y ago
Absolutely Incredible
After looking through a countless number of games to spend my few dollars I had leftover on, I came upon this little gem which seemed cool at first, so I kept it in the back of my mind. After looking and comparing reviews and trailers across many different games and systems, I figured that this was one whose controls would fit perfectly on mobile devices without any adjustments needing to be made. After purchasing it, I can say this is hands down the best mobile game and one of the best metroidvanias I’ve played to this day. Silky smooth sound effects, presentation, and (as I had assumed) controls which are incredibly intuitive. It’s content is extremely unique with almost no other games like it that I can think of due to the simple mechanic of traversal. Combat feels just as good as well. And for the cherry on top, there’s even a new game plus for an extra challenge. I can’t wait to see what else these devs masterfully create next. 😁
- Roo2doo · v1.1.8
Apple
7y ago
Great controls for iPhone
Was very skeptical at first because didn’t think it would play/control well on a phone from the pictures in the App Store. But I was very wrong it is works for the iPhone great. You move around very easily along with all other actions. Kinda of a metrodvania game
- Olliemon13 · v1.1.8
Apple
7y ago
My fave game of this genre!
I love love love this game. I bought it during the school year and realized it would be addictive. So, I didn’t play for awhile. Now that it’s summer, I’m hooked. I have to force myself to stop playing and do things like eat and sleep. The graphics are beautiful and the skill level required is challenging. I love that after I beat a boss I’m super excited to check out my map and see what locations I might be able to open next. I don’t recall what I paid for this game, but I can honestly say I’d buy it again. If only my nieces, nephew, or great nieces were game4s this would be their next present.
- MyMusicMyLifeAllGetsBetterInTime · v1.1.8
Apple
7y ago
A Stunning, Vibrant Original!
Dandara clearly draws heavy inspiration from many of the core classics that have shaped the staple mechanics and ideas we have today! The side scrolling genre can get old quick lacking originality. But the way this game is constructed through exploration, and platforming it kind of takes away from the focus of beating “bosses” so to speak to progress. Though there are plenty of bosses that are beautifully crafted with difficulty. Speaking of difficult, the skill cap on this game is demanding but fair. I never felt like I couldn’t overcome The obstacles set before me. Mechanically speaking the feeling of jumping from wall to wall was ever so satisfying. It feels great. I feel like I’m shooting a rubber band across the room with this super jump. Makes me feel like a hero! The only complaint I have is the combat it’s self with the shooting mechanics. I just don’t like that I have to charge my shots. Though it does add a layer of difficulty that is cohesive with the game. Lastly the world building and overall vibe, BRILLIANT! The world is an aesthetically pleasing array of eye candy and eloquence. It draws clear inspiration from games like “The Legend of Zelda”, “Metroid”, and even alittle like “Mega Man”. All in all though it’s own piece of magical art!
I ADORE this game. So fantastic. And I recommend it to mobile and console gamers alike.
- Dj Krawl · v1.1.7
Apple
7y ago
Good game, small bug
The app icon on appleTV 4K is blank. I have tried deleting and redownloading to fix this and it is still a blank icon.
- Rellite · v1.1.7
Apple
7y ago
Love the game just one issue...
I’ve just downloaded the game and I am very excited to play I only have one issue, the sound doesn’t seem to be working I don’t know if there is music or sound in this point of the development but I definitely want to hear something to add to this experience if there is anything you all could do to get back to me I’d greatly appreciate it.
- Kwon Passant · v1.1.7
Apple
7y ago
This is fun until...
The shooting is so slow with the stupid finger motions. It's not fun on a screen. The waluigi looking mfer was my end point. Disappointing. Also why does it have to make you traverse so much to get back to your dead body?
- Sense-ay · v1.1.7
Apple
7y ago
Disappointed. Feels tuned for console or PC. Not swiping.
The boss fight with the Giant was the final straw to remove this game off my phone.
The swipe to move gameplay seemed cool in the video, but when it gets to the parts mixed with intense combat, it gets old really quick.
I found it felt more like I needed button-speed responses or lots of forethought to survive those sections. Then I’d lose all my coins and have to hope I get back to that area again.
I would not call this a bad game, just poorly tuned and ill-fitting outside of the primary control feature. I’d give 2.5/5 but you can do halves on App Store reviews far as I can tell.
- Danimal1979 · v1.1.7
Apple
7y ago
Pixilated Fun
Dandara overall is a great game i love the motion and creativity but originality this game has but the enemies and characters can be a bit too much, with everything going on its like a puzzle with monsters. Be careful once you get to the skull dont let it fool you, it can help or hurt you. The game does get a little overwhelming but its fun. ENJOY!
- ,t,j · v1.1.7
Apple
7y ago
Just normal gmae
Normal game and height price
App Store 🤬= drag of money 💵
- Mohannad90m · v1.1.7
Apple
7y ago
10/5
Dandara is a masterpiece! Great controls, fun but challenging gameplay, unique experience! It’s worth every penny!
- PaulD441 · v1.1.6
Apple
7y ago
Too Hard To Play
The Stickman in Dreamland are now too hard to kill. I can’t get past this area so I’m done with this game. You can’t make a game this hard to play and expect anyone to enjoy it.
Michael Damey
- M. Damey · v1.1.6
Apple
7y ago
Yikes! The game turned into Dark Souls.
After the few hours, this fun game turned into Dark Souls—huge difficulty level jump. Probably harder than dark souls actually. (Even I was able to finish Bloodborne) I think only hardcore fans would love this game. After killing the first main boss the difficulty jumped and made the game torturous to play for me. I guess the a.i character warned me of the difficulty coming, but it’s not like you have a choice to go anywhere else. Even when I managed to get passed a difficult room, I did not have a sense of fun doing it anymore—only to die in the next room. Like Darksouls, you lose your currency where you died, and if you want it back you have to work your way back to where you left off without dying, or else. I didn’t get far enough in the game to know what the Salt currency buys you. I have only 3 heart health bars. Using a potion takes 2 seconds to use and only adds one heart. I can get hit while I’m trying to cure myself. My bullets have limited range and can’t go through walls. Some enemies bullets have infinite range and go through walls—even random bullets enter the screen and seemingly came from nowhere. (Well I’m sure they came from somewhere but I was too frantic trying to avoid them to see) Some of the rooms you have to navigate quickly through and avoid the bullets—no time to use any health potion—you have to know what you’re doing or you die and drop your money, and go back to camp and have to do the course all over again. Oh well, at least the game was only a few dollars. Too bad. I think I was only 1/4 through the game.
- Boltfinger · v1.1.6
Apple
7y ago
Apple TV version is brilliant
This game feels like a compilation of great ideas from other games of its type mixed with an unexpected traversal system. I imagine this space jumping mechanic (or whatever you call it) was done to make it much easier to control with a touch device, but I played it with an MFi controller (a SteelSeries Nimbus, an excellent controller for anyone wondering). I wasn’t sure if I liked it at first, but after not too much time I was wall hopping like a pro with an almost instinctive speed. It’s extremely unique and rewarding to develop this new gaming skill since it feels so different, but controls with a polish oftentimes not found in even the most biggest budget AAA games.
Dandara reminded me, of all things, of Suda51’s Killer7. That game also had an unusual, yet completely solid, control setup where holding one button caused your character to move along a predefined path, but at any point the player could stop, take aim, and fire at any incoming threats in any direction. Traversal in Killer7 was restricted, but not automatic and the player always had control over which direction they would go and, most importantly, the speed at which they would move through the world. It felt very much like an on rails shooter, but where you controlled the speed of progress. Dandara gives you more freedom of movement than Killer7, but the flow is similar: move through the world, encounter enemies, strategically position your character, and fire. It definitely feels like a bullet hell game at times, but with way more emphasis on positioning than quick dodging (note: I’m not a schmup fan and I loved Dandara’s gameplay and combat, so dont let the bullet hell comparison deter you from playing this game if thats not your thing).
Ultimately, this game feels like a cross between Super Metroid, Dark Souls and an action shooter. There is no platforming, though there is a great emphasis on timing your “jumps.” It’s a tough feeling to describe, but I can say it feels right at home on a controller. I may even go back and play through it on my phone just to see how the controls compare.
Only one thing stood out to me with the gameplay and it was with one of the sub-weapons that I used maybe once and then never again. It may be something useful that I missed or something for more advanced techniques, but I never really saw the benefit to using that weapon so I just ignored it.
Presentation-wise there’s not much I can comment on other that to say it’s a beautiful and bizarre world to experience. It feels like you’re inside an ancient mural telling a grand tale involving competing gods that symbolize the struggle of humanity over millenia. It’s mythological in its structure, so don’t expect any in-depth character development, but what is here is definitely a pleasure to explore, especially given the contrast between ancient civilization influence early on mixed with modern cyberpunk aesthetics later in the game. The amount of music tracks is somewhat small in numbers, but what’s there is fitting and oftentimes fantastic.
My only real presentation issues with the game are some strange interface bugs with the AppleTV version. I’m on an AppleTV 4K and the parts of the interface that display which buttons to press would flicker on and off, usually staying off. Another issue is when accessing the map it would either constantly zoom in or zoom out and I would have to hold the right stick in the opposite direction to keep it focused on the part of the map I was reading. These issues were more annoying than anything and did not affect the other aspects of the visuals or controls whatsoever. Just a tiny rough edge alongside an otherwise polished experience.
I feel like this is a game that could be played for a long while after completing it. While it doesn’t seem to offer any major replay options (that I’ve found, at least) it does beg to be speed-runned. That’s not really for me, but even with the lack of meaty replay options, it took me a solid 8 hours first time through which makes this totally worth the price because I’ll likely play it again in the future.
- Ron Jeno · v1.1.6
Apple
7y ago
An Absolute Masterpiece
This game is a perfect example of what it means to be a metroidvania. I first heard about this game through a brief mention from a youtuber, and remembered that shout-out when I saw this game on the app store. Little did I know I was in for quite the thrill ride.
I can barely even begin to describe how much this game does right. The visuals are evocative and beautiful, the soundtrack is perfectly in tune with the environment around you, matching the mood of the moment to keep your mind still and focused, or keep your heart pumping.
The gameplay and controls are unconventional, but well-designed and intuitive. Very few, if any, games control like this, but you are given plenty of time and space to practice your aim.
The game borrows lots of ideas from Dark Souls. Saving at camps, which refill your health and potions, but also reset most of the enemies, losing your experience when you die, only for you to retrieve it if you return, predictable, yet dangerous enemies, and most prominently: death. Lots of it.
This game is hard. Extremely hard. I got a third of the way through the game before I even knew I could upgrade your character. The game starts slow, but the training wheels quickly come off as the threat grows further and further. As with any metroidvania, you quickly encounter barriers and other obstacles that you are unable to pass or move around, and so must find upgrades that allow you to progress further. This game is pretty straightforward about where you can and can’t go, and the game is very straightforward, especially compared to a normally secret-ridden Metroid title. There are lots of hidden chests with extra experience to help upgrade yourself, which becomes very helpful later, but the amount of powers and abilities you have at your disposal seems a bit underwhelming. In addition, the game does require a bit of experience grinding in order to fully upgrade yourself.
What I believe this game does best is motivate the player through it’s story. There are sparse bits of dialogue sprinkled here and there, but the majority of the plot is communicated through subtext. The detailed world around you provides all the details you need to understand your mission. It feels satisfying in a way, seeing the corruption that you face in the form of the striking and frightening enemies you face, whether they are wicked looking robots wielding laser scythes or strange rabid creatures with human faces that charge at you hungrily.
You will face overwhelming adversity within this game. Nearly everyone left in the lands you travel is there to end your quest, and yet you fight. You will be beaten, you will be angry, you will despair, but, for those you fight for, you must never lose hope. For as long as you persevere, as long as you keep fighting, you will win.
- 20-Sided Tyrant · v1.1.6
Apple
7y ago
This game is amazing!!!!!
I’ve been playing this game on my iPad Pro 11’ and it isn’t full screen but it is great and enjoyable. I switch from my iPad to my phone and data is already saved to the club. Awesome Job!! Want to get into building apps as amazing as this one.
- Taylorj94 · v1.1.5
Player Voice for this app
Complaint themes, feature requests, churn signals, and CSV export - on the Pro and Agency plans.
