Crystal Story: Dawn of Dusk
- January 12, 2024
- Bred Frown
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Crystal Story: Dawn of Dusk" is the second game in the series, where players control Mina, a young adventurer from the Dawnside, on a quest to rescue her kidnapped brother from the demon Termina in the perilous Duskside. Mina uses fire-elemental Arts to battle enemies and solve puzzles in this hybrid retro-modern-styled adventure. Explore a challenging world with fast-paced action and turn-based battles, inspired by 16-bit classics.
Windows
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features stunning pixel art and a captivating soundtrack that evoke nostalgia for classic RPGs.
- Gameplay strikes a satisfying balance between puzzle-solving and action, with engaging mechanics reminiscent of Zelda and Undertale.
- The characters and world are charming and immersive, leaving players eager for future content and expansions.
- The game is relatively short, with many players feeling it lacks sufficient content for its price point.
- Numerous bugs and janky controls detract from the overall experience, leading to frustrating moments during gameplay.
- The linear progression and lack of clarity in some puzzles can make exploration feel restrictive and confusing.
- story21 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story of "Crystal Story: Dawn of Dusk" is described as intriguing and charming, with well-developed characters that evoke humor and nostalgia reminiscent of classic RPGs. However, some players feel that the narrative progression is too rapid and lacks clarity, particularly for those unfamiliar with the prologue. Overall, while the game sets up an engaging adventure and hints at future expansions, many reviewers express a desire for a more substantial storyline to justify its price.
“A cute, if brief, little adventure, that definitely feels like a prologue to a bigger story.”
“The story is very intriguing and the characters are so good; some of them gave me a good chuckle!”
“Crystal Story is a short but sweet game with eye-catching art and a nostalgic air to it that reminds you of all your favorite 8-bit RPG adventure games from the past like Zelda and EarthBound.”
“The game isn't that good at telling the story, especially in the beginning.”
“I didn't play the prologue, crystal story: awakening, so I don't know if it's the culprit or not, but things just progressed too fast without making any sense.”
“I know that it tries to make it mysterious, but it doesn't help when the game makes it as if everyone already knows about the story and I had to deduce everything that happened by then.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its unique blend of mechanics, including exploration, puzzle-solving, and a turn-based battle system, all set against stunning visuals and an engaging soundtrack. Players appreciate the satisfying challenge of boss fights and the variety offered by different gameplay elements, though some express a desire for more content and improvements in future updates. Overall, the gameplay is described as fun and immersive, with a charming narrative backdrop.
“The art is absolutely gorgeous, the music is all a certified bop, and the gameplay is a lot of fun!”
“The gameplay has elements of puzzle-solving, point-and-click adventure, and turn-based RPG mechanics for plenty of variety while you explore numerous, whimsical environments and get immersed in the charming plot and characters of the Crystal Story universe.”
“The gameplay is divided into two sections: 1) a top-down view where you have to explore the world and solve puzzles with your abilities and 2) a turn-based battle system with a minigame in the format of the first section where you have to do a certain objective.”
“It has unique gameplay and beautiful visuals, although sadly, it was way too short for its asking price.”
“But those updates will need to come with massive gameplay improvements.”
- music10 mentions
- 90 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and nostalgic quality, reminiscent of classic titles from the Game Boy Color era, while also incorporating modern elements. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, comparing it favorably to iconic games like Earthbound and Undertale, and noting its contribution to the overall enjoyment of the gameplay experience. Overall, the music is described as a significant asset that enhances the game's artistic direction and fun factor.
“The art is absolutely gorgeous, the music is all a certified bop, and the gameplay is a lot of fun!”
“It's a really stunning game with fantastic art direction and music in the style of EarthBound, while being a really innovative Zelda-like in its own right.”
“Found this game a few years ago on accident, this game has an insane OST and is pretty fun, feels like Celeste, Undertale, LoZ, and EarthBound in one.”
“The music feels outdated and lacks the creativity that modern games offer.”
“I found the soundtrack to be repetitive and uninspired, which detracted from the overall experience.”
“The audio quality of the music is subpar, making it hard to enjoy the game fully.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a retro, pixelated style that some players find beautiful and unique, though opinions vary on its execution. While the visuals and music are praised, they are often overshadowed by criticisms of the gameplay mechanics and overall value for the price.
“It has unique gameplay and beautiful visuals, although sadly, it was way too short for its asking price.”
“The graphics and music are both wonderful, but that's about the only thing this game has to offer.”
“The visuals in the game are varied, but they are mostly pixelated.”
“Graphics: retro”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been criticized for being quite buggy, with users noting that it experiences several issues. Additionally, some players feel that the game's short length does not justify its price, further impacting their overall experience.
“The game is very buggy.”
“A little buggy, and for the price, it's pretty short.”
