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.
Reviews
- The game features excellent pixel art and a nostalgic soundtrack, reminiscent of classic RPGs like Zelda and Earthbound.
- Gameplay strikes a satisfying balance between puzzle-solving and action, with engaging character moments and a charming world.
- Despite its short length, the game shows a lot of promise and is worth playing, especially with future content updates planned.
- The game is quite short, with many players feeling it lacks sufficient content for the price point of $15.
- There are numerous bugs and janky controls that detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration during gameplay.
- The combat system and level design can be confusing and unbalanced, making it difficult for players to fully enjoy the game.
- gameplay10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its unique blend of puzzle-solving, point-and-click adventure, and turn-based RPG mechanics, offering a diverse and engaging experience across whimsical environments. Players appreciate the unusual controls that complement the gameplay, as well as the enjoyable boss fights, though some express a desire for more story integration and gameplay enhancements in future updates. Overall, the gameplay is seen as immersive and charming, with potential for further development.
“It has unusual controls that suit the gameplay well.”
“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.”
“Great soundtrack, puzzles, and gameplay!”
“But those updates will need to come with massive gameplay improvements.”
“Loved the boss fights but I wanted more story/gameplay.”
“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.”
- story9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story of "Crystal Story: Dawn of Dusk" is described as a charming yet brief adventure that serves as a prologue to a larger narrative, leaving players eager for more. While the plot and characters are engaging, some reviewers feel that the current content does not fully justify the price, though they are hopeful for future updates that will expand the story and gameplay. Overall, the game captures a nostalgic essence reminiscent of classic 8-bit RPGs, but players desire a more substantial narrative experience.
“A cute, if brief, little adventure, that definitely feels like a prologue to a bigger story.”
“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.”
“I'm aware that there are going to be updates that will expand on the story as well as provide additional content, but as of right now this game is an early access release.”
“There's a plot hook for sequels at the end, and what is there is pretty decent, but decent doesn't feel like it justifies spending 15 dollars on such a content-light game.”
“I'm aware that there are going to be updates that will expand on the story as well as provide additional content, but as of right now this game is an early access release.”
“A cute, if brief, little adventure, that definitely feels like a prologue to a bigger story.”
- music7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and creativity, drawing comparisons to iconic titles like Earthbound and Undertale. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, enhancing the overall experience alongside the impressive pixel art. While some note that the music is one of the game's few strong points, many agree it significantly contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“Relatively short but sweet adventure with excellent pixel art and music.”
“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.”
- 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.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics and music of the game are praised as wonderful, showcasing a strong art style. However, the overall execution of gameplay elements, including the turn-based system and action sequences, falls short, detracting from the visual appeal.
“The graphics and music are both wonderful, but that's about the only thing this game has to offer.”
