Darxanadon

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 51 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Darxanadon Game Cover
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Darxanadon is a single-player Role Playing game with a massive interconnected world, featuring tons of bosses, enemies, and items that change the player's appearance. With multiple paths to beat the game and playstyles such as Fighter, Archer, and Magician, the game offers a great challenge to adventurers. Its awesome soundtrack adds to the overall gaming experience. The game's synopsis introduces a hero facing off against demons who turn humans into their greatest fears.

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Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 51 reviews
music7 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • The game successfully captures a nostalgic retro experience reminiscent of classic titles like Zelda 2 and Faxanadu, providing a charming and enjoyable atmosphere.
  • Despite its short length, the gameplay is engaging, with a variety of equipment and exploration that allows for different play styles.
  • The music and pixel art are well-received, contributing to the overall aesthetic and enjoyment of the game.
  • The game suffers from significant bugs and design issues, particularly with clunky controls and frustrating ladder mechanics that detract from the experience.
  • Many players found the lack of a map and confusing navigation to be a major drawback, making it difficult to progress without external help.
  • The game is criticized for its short length and lack of depth, with some players feeling it doesn't offer enough challenge or replayability.
  • gameplay13 mentions

    The gameplay is generally described as fun and engaging, with snappy controls and a nostalgic metroidvania feel reminiscent of classic titles. However, it suffers from significant issues such as unfinished ladder mechanics, janky crouching and climbing, unclear game paths, and problematic boss mechanics, which detract from the overall experience. While the aesthetic and enemy designs are praised, the gameplay can feel stiff and buggy, reminiscent of lower-tier NES games.

    • “Gameplay-wise, the movement and controls felt snappy and tight - as good as expected for this sort of game.”
    • “Art style, story, gameplay, map... everything is well made, nothing to complain about; the whole proposal and work is actually good.”
    • “The gameplay and fighting have a nice authentic feel to them; it's the exact type of 2D retro metroidvania game I enjoy.”
    • “The ladder mechanics are clearly unfinished.”
    • “Both are simple problems of core mechanics; they probably wouldn't ever pass in any cycle of playtesting.”
    • “It has no map, crouching and climbing ladders are incredibly janky and feel terrible, enemy boss patterns and mechanics feel weird (half the bosses just stand there and take it while you wail at them with attacks that have almost no chance of hitting you), and the overall game path feels difficult to truly understand what was intended.”
  • graphics11 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a retro aesthetic that draws inspiration from classic titles like Faxanadu and Zelda II, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that resonates with fans of the genre. While some users note clunky elements and occasional graphical issues, the overall art style, character designs, and varied environments are praised for their charm and effectiveness in enhancing the gameplay experience. The game's visual presentation successfully captures the essence of classic 2D gaming while maintaining a unique identity.

    • “Art style, story, gameplay, map... everything is well made, nothing to complain about it, the whole proposal and work is actually good.”
    • “I really dig the melancholy atmosphere of this game, I like the varied aesthetic styles of the various sections in the map, I love the enemy and sprite designs, I enjoy the boxy aesthetic of the sprites and the fighting mechanics are quite good.”
    • “Yes, the game is clunky, the ladders suck, it's a bit barebones, sometimes the artwork could be more serviceable and sometimes the game doesn't even scroll properly so you stand on thin air.”
    • “A retro 2D game that feels and plays like a game designed and made in the era of the original NES/Master System, rather than a modern retro-styled game that pays homage and takes its aesthetic style from the classic 2D game era.”
    • “Incredibly simple metroidvania in the art style of Faxanadu.”
  • music11 mentions

    The music in the game has received positive feedback for its retro style and effective use of silence, contributing to a great atmosphere and solid gameplay experience. While the soundtrack is praised for its quality, some players wish for longer tracks and note that it alone cannot compensate for other shortcomings in the game. Overall, the music, along with the graphics, enhances the game's appeal significantly.

    • “I did enjoy the music a ton and the sprites were really nice to the eyes.”
    • “The atmosphere is great, outstanding music, awesome character designs, and lovely pixel art in an endearingly retro setting.”
    • “Loved the music, wish a few of the tracks were a bit longer.”
    • “There are basically no options to speak of (3 tier adjustment for music and other sounds), controller works out of the gate but if you want remapping then you might need to use some joytokey or whatever, dunno.”
    • “Music is decent.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, leading to a generally unstable experience. However, some players appreciate the roughness and stiff controls, finding it adds a nostalgic charm reminiscent of classic NES titles. Overall, while the stability issues are significant, they can be overlooked by those who enjoy retro-style gameplay.

    • “The reason for the very low price says it all - this game is a buggy piece of garbage.”
    • “The game has many bugs and glitches.”
    • “It is buggy and the gameplay is quite stiff in the way second or third tier classic NES games could be.”
  • story4 mentions

    The story received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its concise and well-crafted nature, while others found it bland and lacking depth. Overall, the narrative is seen as a minor aspect compared to the game's gameplay and design elements.

    • “I liked the story, and I think it was short and sweet!”
    • “Art style, story, gameplay, map... everything is well made; nothing to complain about. The whole proposal and work is actually good.”
    • “Very bland story, but the gameplay and bosses are simple and straightforward.”
    • “Cons - little to no story.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its outstanding music, charming pixel art, and well-designed bosses, creating a nostalgic and varied aesthetic. Reviewers appreciate the melancholy tone and unique visual styles across different map sections, contributing to an engaging indie experience reminiscent of classic NES games.

    • “The atmosphere is great, outstanding music, awesome character designs, and lovely pixel art in an endearingly retro setting.”
    • “I really dig the melancholy atmosphere of this game. I like the varied aesthetic styles of the different sections in the map, I love the enemy and sprite designs, and I enjoy the boxy aesthetic of the sprites. The fighting mechanics are quite good.”
    • “It's a little raw, but it's a cool little indie game. I love the NES-like atmosphere!”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game has limited replayability, with players suggesting that the only significant variation comes from attempting specific challenges, such as a knife-only run. Improving certain mechanics, like jump physics, could enhance overall playability but may not significantly increase replay value.

    • “The game offers a variety of challenges that make each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
    • “With multiple character choices and different strategies to explore, the replayability is impressive.”
    • “Each run can lead to unique experiences, encouraging players to come back for more.”
    • “The game doesn't have much replayability, unless you try a knife-only run or something.”
    • “This is a minor problem; however, just improving the jump physics will make it 200% more playable.”
  • character development1 mentions

    While the game excels in atmosphere, music, character design, and pixel art, reviews do not provide specific insights into the depth or progression of character development. Overall, the focus seems to be more on aesthetic appeal rather than the evolution of characters throughout the game.

    • “The atmosphere is great, with outstanding music, awesome character designs, and lovely pixel art in an endearingly retro setting.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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