Dandara

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 294 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Dandara Game Cover
A prickly 2D Metroidvania with a curious twist, Dandara admirably finds something new to do with the genre, but it's tough work to get onboard.
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"Dandara" is a single-player fantasy platformer game with an interesting plot and phenomenal gameplay set in the mystical world of Salt. Traverse across environments, defying gravity, in this metroidvania-style game, while discovering secrets and combating enemies. Innovative controls and challenging progression make for a unique and engaging experience.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 294 reviews
gameplay65 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • Unique movement mechanics that offer a fresh take on the Metroidvania genre.
  • Beautiful pixel art and a captivating soundtrack enhance the overall experience.
  • Challenging gameplay that rewards skill and exploration.
  • Controls can feel clunky, especially when using a mouse and keyboard.
  • The story is vague and lacks depth, making it hard to engage with the narrative.
  • Some difficulty spikes can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • gameplay157 mentions

    The gameplay of Dandara is characterized by its unique movement mechanics, allowing players to traverse surfaces by jumping between walls, floors, and ceilings, which adds a fresh twist to the metroidvania genre. While many players appreciate the innovative controls and challenging puzzles, some find the gameplay can become repetitive and frustrating, particularly as the difficulty ramps up in later stages. Overall, the game offers a visually stunning experience with a rhythmic and engaging gameplay style, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its unconventional mechanics and steep learning curve.

    • “A truly excellent title, beautiful visuals, lightning quick gameplay and unique mechanics make this an easy recommend.”
    • “Dandara is a breath of fresh air in the metroidvania genre, with novel gameplay it opens up entire new challenges awaiting to be taken head on.”
    • “The gravity-less movement system is unique, fun, and lends itself to very good gameplay both in and out of combat.”
    • “It feels like the devs tried a bit too hard at making it an unconventional experience, ending up partially sacrificing gameplay quality right along with more conventional mechanics of the metroidvania genre.”
    • “After the first three hours, the game starts stacking minor gripes and annoyances with its gameplay like it's playing Jenga with them.”
    • “Traversing the world and avoiding attacks and enemies is much more difficult by virtue of the game's movement mechanics, and in many of the areas later in the game, enemies are piled on you, including those that fire projectiles, making it extremely hard to maneuver effectively and without getting hurt.”
  • story80 mentions

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players finding it intriguing and beautifully presented through its art and music, while others describe it as vague, minimalistic, and lacking depth. Many reviews highlight the themes of oppression and freedom, but the storytelling often feels disjointed or incomprehensible, particularly for those unfamiliar with its Brazilian folklore roots. Overall, while the narrative has its moments, it may not satisfy players seeking a more traditional or engaging story.

    • “The story is intriguing; I actually want to see how it plays out (usually, I hate stories).”
    • “The story is introduced slowly as you progress and never feels overbearing.”
    • “The art style is beautiful and so is the music; the story is very well-written and the gameplay feels fresh.”
    • “The story is apparently based on Brazilian folklore, which I have no knowledge of, so it was incomprehensible to me.”
    • “The story is one of those 'vague lore' stories with a Dark Souls vibe that is forgettable, as everything feels like it is talking in metaphors.”
    • “The few story elements the game has paint a simple picture that lacks the depth and emotional investment of a more fleshed-out narrative while simultaneously not being ambiguous enough to make for a compelling mystery.”
  • music77 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric quality, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to enhance the overall experience through a mix of soothing melodies and engaging boss themes. While some found the music to be merely decent, the majority praised it as a standout feature that complements the beautiful pixel art and innovative gameplay, creating a captivating and immersive environment. Overall, the soundtrack is often described as remarkable, with many players expressing a desire to purchase it separately.

    • “Add in plenty of familiar metroidvania elements and some solid pixel art plus an atmospheric soundtrack, and you've got an appealing and atypical entry into this genre.”
    • “The atmosphere set by the game's nice pixel graphics and sweet ambient music perfectly sets the tone for Dandara's adventure, with some calm moments, some tense moments, and some melancholic moments.”
    • “I'm impressed by the soundtrack too, the gameplay, soundtrack, and art style mesh pretty well together to create a really engaging experience.”
    • “The music is just mediocre and doesn't feel good.”
    • “Oh, and the soundtrack is okay, too.”
    • “Only good things to be said about it: innovative gameplay, sexy soundtrack, challenging but not frustrating.”
  • graphics52 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful pixel art and unique aesthetic, which effectively blend Brazilian culture with fantasy elements. While many reviewers highlight the fluid animations and atmospheric visuals that enhance gameplay, some note that certain areas can feel monotonous or incoherent. Overall, the art style and sound design contribute to an engaging experience, making it a standout title in the metroidvania genre.

    • “A truly excellent title, beautiful visuals, lightning quick gameplay and unique mechanics make this an easy recommend.”
    • “The art style is gorgeous, gameplay is unique, and enemy designs are delightfully diverse.”
    • “With great visuals and sound design, this game makes every new location feel wonderfully unique.”
    • “Environments are equally incoherent and boring, just different tilesets with artwork quality dropping towards the end.”
    • “The game mechanics are very unusual as you can't really move back and forth and the art style is often charming, although sometimes it gets really generic with some enemies inspired by Egyptian culture (I thought it was supposed to be about Brazil).”
    • “Obviously the pixel art doesn’t totally kill the style, but it does strip out any enthusiasm that the graphics might have instilled in me and forced me to soldier further into this nightmare than I did.”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its haunting and surreal qualities, enhanced by beautiful pixel art and an evocative soundtrack. Players appreciate the blend of calm and tense moments, alongside a unique exploration-based platforming experience that draws on Brazilian cultural influences. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as immersive and engaging, contributing significantly to its appeal.

    • “The atmosphere set by the game's nice pixel graphics and sweet ambient music perfectly sets the tone for Dandara's adventure, with some calm moments, some tense moments, and some melancholic moments.”
    • “On top of the tons of Brazilian culture influences, it has good gameplay and a lovely atmosphere that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of how familiar they are with the references the game makes.”
    • “The atmosphere is creepy and unsettling, and it's got me hooked.”
    • “The story is a little basic, but the narrative quiet and solitary exploration create an affecting atmosphere.”
    • “Dandara's atmosphere is distinctly haunting and surreal, and while the movement in the game is like nothing else you've played before, it becomes natural within minutes.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly due to the lack of fast travel and the repetitive nature of enemy encounters. The difficulty spikes and cumbersome mechanics, such as backtracking and respawning enemies, contribute to a sense of annoyance rather than enjoyment, making combat feel uninteresting and overly grindy. Overall, many feel that these elements detract from the overall experience, turning what should be engaging gameplay into a chore.

    • “It makes upgrading and getting stronger more and more grindy as the game goes on.”
    • “The world is extremely large (not a bad thing); however, without the ability to fast travel, moving to different areas can be extremely tedious until that power is unlocked.”
    • “Given the 'death go back to camp' and 'retrieve your dead body' mechanisms, the whole thing becomes just tedious.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express a mix of emotions, highlighting moments of empowerment and grace in gameplay, contrasted with feelings of heartbreak and pain during boss encounters. However, the game's narrative is criticized for its simplicity and lack of depth, leaving players wanting a more engaging emotional experience. Overall, while there are impactful moments, the emotional resonance is undermined by a shallow storyline.

    • “God, this is heart-breaking.”
    • “The new boss made me feel true pain.”
    • “In my hours of playtime, I never found anything that made me feel more powerful, mobile, or flexible, or that let me navigate the world faster or more gracefully.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Reviewers praise the character development for its vibrant and original designs, highlighting the inclusion of diverse representation among main characters and enemies. The pixel art and overall aesthetic contribute to an immersive experience, enhancing the game's appeal through detailed animations and unique environments.

    • “I love all the character designs; it's cool that there is some black representation in the main character, and in general, the bosses, enemies, and side characters all look colorful and original.”
    • “Great metroidvania — the pixel art is fantastic (reminds me of Celeste), as are the OST and overall art style (character design, levels, etc.).”
    • “From the world and character design to the beautiful pixelated tiles, the immersive backgrounds, the awesome animations, and even the flying particles, every room gives you something different to appreciate.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Overall, the game offers strong replayability with its fast-paced and immersive gameplay, appealing to players seeking repeated experiences. However, some users note limitations in the game world and abilities, suggesting that these factors could diminish long-term replay value.

    • “Fast-paced, great replayability, immersive!”
    • “It's perfect for those who want a highly replayable game.”
    • “The game world is small and unvaried, and the abilities could have added more variety. Overall, it feels somewhat short with little replay value.”
    • “After completing the game, I found there was little incentive to play through it again. The lack of meaningful choices and consequences really diminishes replayability.”
    • “Once you've experienced the story, there's not much left to draw you back in. The gameplay doesn't change enough to warrant a second playthrough.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

67% average critic score

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Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
3-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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