Anodyne 2: Return to Dust

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 552 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Anodyne 2: Return to Dust Game Cover
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Anodyne is a single-player fantasy platformer game with excellent mechanics and ingenious graphics, set in the dream world of the human Young. As you explore, you'll encounter urban, natural, and bizarre areas, fighting your way through dungeons within Young's subconscious. The game features a good plot, beautiful music, and some grinding, creating a fantastic and highly emotional atmosphere. The sequel, Anodyne 2, is also available.

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Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 552 reviews
story102 positive mentions
grinding12 negative mentions
  • Anodyne 2 features a unique blend of 3D exploration and 2D Zelda-like dungeons, providing a refreshing gameplay experience.
  • The game is visually stunning, with a nostalgic PS1 aesthetic and beautiful pixel art that enhances the dreamlike atmosphere.
  • The writing is clever and heartfelt, with memorable characters and a story that resonates emotionally with players.
  • The 3D overworld can feel empty and slow-paced, leading to moments of tedious exploration without much engagement.
  • Some players may find the dialogue-heavy narrative overwhelming, with lengthy text that can detract from the gameplay experience.
  • The combat mechanics in the 2D sections may feel simplified compared to the original Anodyne, leading to a less challenging experience.
  • story294 mentions

    The story of Anodyne 2 is widely praised for its depth, emotional resonance, and unique narrative style, blending surreal elements with themes of self-discovery and community. Players appreciate the well-crafted characters and the engaging dialogue, though some find the pacing uneven and the narrative occasionally convoluted. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to evoke strong feelings and provoke thought, making it a memorable experience despite its occasional flaws.

    • “Quirky writing, a wonderfully atmospheric soundtrack, and a story worth telling.”
    • “The story brought me to tears with its themes of escapism, self-discovery, and finding community in unexpected places.”
    • “Anodyne 2 is a masterpiece of a game with deep themes, beautiful worlds, great characters, and a great story with gameplay going between these 2D and 3D environments.”
    • “The game's desire to tell a story through dialogue can overstay its welcome, sometimes to the point of hijacking the game for long periods, which is dull to wade through.”
    • “There's a disconnect between story and gameplay, plus a conflict so ill-defined it seems barely there at all, making it hard to get invested in.”
    • “Unfortunately, the story itself fell flat for me.”
  • gameplay246 mentions

    The gameplay in Anodyne 2 is a blend of 3D exploration and 2D puzzle-solving reminiscent of classic Zelda titles, offering a unique and engaging experience. While the 2D segments are praised for their creative mechanics and tight design, the 3D areas focus more on exploration and atmosphere, which some players found less compelling. Overall, the game is noted for its charming visuals, interesting storytelling, and a satisfying gameplay loop, though some critiques mention a lack of depth and complexity compared to its predecessor.

    • “The gameplay is nice and comfortable on its surface, but if you ever want to look at it deeper, the game will reward that interest in spades.”
    • “The gameplay is very addicting with its well-designed combat puzzles and platform challenges.”
    • “The gameplay, while very fun, is not revolutionary, but for me it didn’t need to be.”
    • “2D Zelda fans might be disappointed, since the gameplay is essentially 2D Zelda but with no items, simple dungeons, and no real progression.”
    • “The gameplay is a really dull 'wander in a 3D environment until you find your next mission, then jump to 2D mode inside of a character's head and complete baby's first Zelda dungeon.' The dungeons themselves really have room to grow, and after seven of them I'm bored of the simplicity.”
    • “The vacuum cleaner, on the other hand, feels weak and unsatisfying to use, yet paradoxically trivializes gameplay by allowing you to kill enemies from a safe distance by sucking them up or shooting things at them.”
  • graphics177 mentions

    The graphics of Anodyne 2 are a nostalgic blend of low-poly PS1-era visuals and vibrant 2D sprite work reminiscent of 16-bit games, creating a unique and dreamlike aesthetic that resonates with players. While some may find the retro style charming and immersive, others might view it as dated or off-putting. Overall, the game's visual design effectively enhances its storytelling and atmosphere, making it a captivating experience for fans of retro gaming aesthetics.

    • “The visuals evoke such a powerful sense of nostalgia for an era of games I never played, and the music is simply so hypnotizing.”
    • “The graphics are reminiscent of the original PS1 era with some classic 2D RPG elements thrown in there.”
    • “The visuals put a fresh spin on nostalgic aesthetics, the gameplay offers a sharp and affectionate homage to all your 90s Zelda favorites, and every technical element smartly contributes to the narration of a sweet, sad fable with a ton of heart.”
    • “It's according to current aesthetic conventions, especially compared to AAA titles, ugly AF.”
    • “The graphics might be a turn off for some people, but this game is a blessing in disguise.”
    • “Not to mention some textures in the game made me uncomfortable to look at for too long, but maybe that's just the fault of the low res graphics.”
  • music166 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and nostalgic qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a blend of soothing, dreamlike, and sometimes eerie tracks. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to evoke emotions and complement the game's visuals and storytelling, making it a standout feature that many listeners continue to enjoy long after playing. Overall, the music is described as beautiful, varied, and integral to the game's unique ambiance.

    • “The music is both alien and inviting, the sound design is solid through and through, the art design of the game is beautiful and nostalgic and those things contribute to a unique atmosphere you can't really find anywhere else.”
    • “The music helps cement this weird and dream-like world too.”
    • “The soundtrack is beautiful and tranquil, and knows just how to set the scene.”
    • “The music is well done and fittingly odd at times; the elements of exploration are compelling, the writing is good-- I saw a previous reviewer accusing it of telling rather than showing, and I didn't find that to be the case until perhaps the very end of the game.”
    • “The game's gorgeous pixel art is front and center in its dungeons, and the soundtrack is somehow even better than before (though almost all of the 3D themes become mind-numbingly repetitive before long).”
    • “Either way, sometimes the way things moved mixed with some of the music in the game would make me a bit dizzy or nauseous, and I don't have any history of motion sickness or anything.”
  • atmosphere59 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of quirky writing, beautiful art design, and an evocative soundtrack that creates a dream-like, nostalgic experience. Reviewers highlight the successful execution of both 2D and 3D environments, with the latter offering a more immersive exploration of the game's surreal and melancholic themes. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as captivating and original, making it a standout feature that enhances the storytelling and gameplay.

    • “The music is both alien and inviting, the sound design is solid through and through, the art design of the game is beautiful and nostalgic, and those things contribute to a unique atmosphere you can't really find anywhere else.”
    • “An incredibly unique experience with a beautifully pleasant atmosphere.”
    • “The visuals, writing, and music all work together to create an atmosphere that manages to be moody when it wants to be, as well as funny when it wants to be.”
    • “This cloying miasma, the atmosphere of the hothouse, hangs over the game as a whole - much like the dust itself.”
    • “There's this constant unnerving atmosphere to the whole experience.”
    • “The original Anodyne juxtaposed the ordinary with the bizarre to create an unsettling, surreal atmosphere that at times even crept into horror territory.”
  • emotional56 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its complex narrative and character development, which evoke a wide range of feelings from joy to heartbreak. Players appreciate the heartfelt writing and the ability to connect personally with the characters, often leading to moments of self-reflection and catharsis. Overall, the game is praised for its unique blend of humor and emotional depth, creating a memorable and impactful experience.

    • “This game made me feel things I didn't know I could feel.”
    • “Ultimately it has such a rewarding and heartfelt experience that made me tear up a bit by the end.”
    • “It's rare for a game to stay in my thoughts persistently for so long after playing it, but I keep thinking about how beautiful this game is and how the story made me feel in ways games hadn't for a long time.”
  • humor41 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of surreal, absurd, and charming elements, often delivering laugh-out-loud moments alongside deeper, more poignant themes. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and endearing characters, though some find the humor can be hit or miss, with a mix of childish and thought-provoking writing. Overall, the game successfully balances quirky humor with emotional depth, creating a unique and memorable experience.

    • “This absurd, funny, sentimental experience definitely isn’t for everyone, but if it sounds like it’s for you, give it a try.”
    • “The writing is brilliant, elegantly switching from laugh-out-loud funny to disturbing to tragic often within a single interaction.”
    • “By being highly varied with no consistent logic in setting, Anodyne 2 manages to always be surprising, funny, heartwarming, and heartbreaking in places I wouldn't have expected otherwise.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be tedious and repetitive, often detracting from the overall enjoyment. Players express frustration with the frequent need to backtrack and engage in busywork, which interrupts the flow of gameplay and can feel like a chore. While some appreciate the game's unique ideas and nostalgic feel, many find the grinding elements to be a significant drawback.

    • “I would have had a lot more fun if Anodyne stuck more to the 3D platforming and Zelda dungeons, with much less text and tedious gimmicks constantly pulling you away from that.”
    • “Anodyne 2 is first and foremost repetitive and grindy, while simultaneously being chill and pleasant at times.”
    • “Also, to unlock the next area I had to do multiple trips back to the starting area, which is tedious.”
  • character development11 mentions

    Character development in the game is marked by distinct and exaggerated character designs that reflect their personalities, contributing to a rich and humorous narrative. While some players appreciate the depth and uniqueness of the characters, others feel that the character design and story did not resonate with them as much. Overall, the game is praised for its atmospheric world and engaging character interactions, despite mixed feelings about individual character appeal.

    • “The character designs are extremely interesting, often being a characterization of one exaggerated feature that ties into their personality, positive or not.”
    • “Highly recommend if you enjoy atmospheric 3D exploration, Zelda-style dungeons, and rich character development.”
    • “The plot is rich, character developments are aplenty, and the entire game just oozes polish and care.”
    • “I largely didn't like the character design, nor the characters/story.”
    • “Surreal landscapes, weird character designs, poetic and humorous worldbuilding, and plenty of fuel for your very own existential crisis.”
    • “I love the environment and the aesthetic, but I found the character design lacking.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, users appreciate the opportunity to explore unused content and glitches in games, viewing them as intriguing elements that enhance the experience. However, they clarify that these aspects do not indicate that the games are buggy or unstable.

    • “The game frequently crashes, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “I encountered numerous glitches that disrupted my experience.”
    • “The stability issues really detracted from what could have been an enjoyable game.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game is primarily story-focused, which limits its replayability; however, it offers a compelling experience that makes the initial playthrough worthwhile. While it may not encourage multiple runs, the quality of the first experience is highly praised.

    • “Typically, I only review games after discovering their replay value, but 'Return to Dust' is absolutely worth it for that first playthrough alone, and I ought to bump up its Steam stats.”
    • “Unfortunately, as a primarily story-focused game, it does somewhat lack in replayability, but even as a singular experience, it's well worth your time.”
    • “Unfortunately, as a primarily story-focused game, it does somewhat lack in replayability. However, even as a singular experience, it's well worth your time.”
    • “Typically, I only review games after discovering their replay value, but 'Return to Dust' is absolutely worth it for that first playthrough alone.”
    • “The game offers a compelling narrative, but once you've experienced it, there's little incentive to return.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy for the game appears to rely primarily on social media advertising, as users have noted that they discovered it through a tweet.

  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization reflects a nostalgic retro aesthetic reminiscent of early gaming consoles, while its storytelling embraces a raw, unrefined approach typical of that era, prioritizing emotional depth over technical polish.

    • “Not only does it carry the retro aesthetic of the PlayStation 1 (and the Nintendo, and the ZX Spectrum...), it also carries the storytelling sensibility from when authors didn't have optimized techniques, but wrote from their guts.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Anodyne 2: Return to Dust

Play time

10hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
8-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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