Dusk '82
- October 22, 2021
- David Szymanski
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Dusk '82" is a retro-styled puzzle/adventure game serving as a prequel to the 2018 shooter "DUSK." Solve 30 levels filled with hazards and classic weapons, with an easy-to-use editor and Steam Workshop support for custom levels. The game features chiptune renditions of the "DUSK" soundtrack and the ability to modify sprites for added personalization.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Dusk '82 is a surprisingly enjoyable puzzle game that cleverly combines elements of classic titles like Sokoban and Chip's Challenge, offering engaging and creative puzzles.
- The game features a catchy chiptune soundtrack and a charming retro aesthetic, making it a delightful experience for fans of the original Dusk and retro gaming.
- With a user-friendly level editor and Steam Workshop support, players can create and share custom levels, extending the game's replayability beyond the main campaign.
- The main campaign is relatively short, taking only about 2 hours to complete, and many players feel it lacks sufficient challenge, with only a few levels providing a real test.
- Some players have noted that the AI behavior of enemies can be unpredictable, leading to frustrating moments where progress feels more luck-based than skill-based.
- While the game is fun, some critics argue that it doesn't offer enough content to justify its price, suggesting it feels more like a novelty than a fully fleshed-out experience.
- music31 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in Dusk '82 has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its catchy chiptune tracks and remixes of the original Dusk soundtrack, composed by Andrew Hulshult. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience and contributing to the game's nostalgic 8-bit aesthetic. Overall, the music is described as engaging and well-crafted, making it a significant aspect of the game's appeal.
“The soundtrack is catchy chiptune tracks from Dusk and are a joy to listen to in Dusk '82.”
“Dusk '82 is a dang fine puzzle shooter with a banger chiptune soundtrack and really engaging puzzles!”
“The music is excellent.”
“I appreciate that I can listen to 80s-ified Andrew Hulshult music to help distract myself from how utterly stupid I am.”
“Andrew 'Trashcan' Hulshult has yet again delivered the soundtrack of the century for the twelfth time this decade.”
“Of course, Andrew Hulshult is here making the most of an '8-bit' limitation with the music, and I recognized the non-butchered music that it was covering.”
- gameplay27 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Dusk '82 is characterized by its blend of puzzle and action elements, featuring innovative mechanics that encourage creative thinking. While some players appreciate the clever level design and nostalgic 8-bit aesthetic, others feel that the short levels and lack of a cohesive gameplay loop detract from overall satisfaction. Despite its shortcomings, the game is praised for its fun mechanics and engaging challenges, making it a unique addition to the franchise.
“Surprisingly complex gameplay combined with a genius interpretation of dusk mechanics into a puzzle game that still feels like an FPS at times.”
“The simple, classic mechanics allow for an interesting combination of puzzle and action gameplay.”
“This cute 8-bit puzzle game with superhot mechanics proves that games within the same franchise don't need to share the same genre.”
“I think the game's biggest issue is that the main campaign focuses on wacky puzzles and gimmicks in relatively short levels, which is fine, but without what feels like a true gameplay loop, it's hard to feel satisfied while playing it.”
“What I appreciate about this game is its willingness to break the meta for a puzzle; however, I can't help but feel that a lot of those gotcha-type levels are there not due to the author's inherent creativity, but due to the game's severe lack of mechanics.”
“My issues are with the backwards stylistic choices themselves rather than the gameplay, which is really clever in terms of level design.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist, retro-inspired art style reminiscent of Atari 2600 and 1980s microcomputers, which effectively complements its gameplay. While some users note basic visuals and occasional glitches, the overall aesthetic is praised for its smooth performance and ability to create a strong atmosphere without relying on advanced graphics. The inclusion of a level editor with custom graphics further enhances the creative experience, demonstrating that engaging gameplay can outweigh graphical fidelity.
“The extremely minimalist graphics are very well done.”
“The graphics are exactly what they need to be, and the sound design takes just enough from Dusk to impart a little of its gloom and energy.”
“The graphics are basic but fit the 1982 vibe well.”
“The extremely minimalist graphics are very well done also.”
“Much like the low-res polygon of Dusk, Dusk '82 goes even further by having ASCII styled graphics.”
- story10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story of Dusk ’82 features an interesting plot and effective world-building, particularly for those familiar with the original Dusk, but it is criticized for being minimal and largely irrelevant, focusing primarily on action against monsters. While some players appreciate the storyline and its connection to the original game, others feel that the narrative lacks depth and is overshadowed by gameplay mechanics, making it less satisfying for those seeking a rich story experience. Overall, the game offers a decent narrative backdrop, but it may not justify the price for players primarily interested in the story.
“The mechanics and music are solid while the story gives you a decent idea of the world building and what to expect with the original Dusk (if you have not played it yet).”
“I really like the storyline, especially the ending which leads up to the beginning of Dusk.”
“You don't need to have played the first game in order to understand the story.”
“You $7 for 30 levels is kinda much, it's like an hour of playtime, so if you're just here for the story, you're gonna be disappointed.”
“Dusk ’82 follows a similar story to Dusk, which is almost entirely irrelevant because the plot is that there are monsters, and the guy shoots the monsters.”
“Some are not a puzzle at all, simply relying on minimal storytelling and association with an established action game to sell a scenario, but it doesn't really have the theatrics to make the action feel like anything other than filler content.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers some replayability through its level editor, allowing players to create and explore new content, while pursuing high scores with bonus items can also enhance replay value. However, some users feel that the main campaign is too short and lacks secrets, leading to a perception of limited replayability overall.
“It is a bit too easy and the main campaign is over very quickly, but there is a level editor that lets you run wild and do pretty much anything within the constraints of the game engine, so the game has replayability.”
“I didn’t find any secrets on the way to the end, but there are bonus items that add to your score, so going for records is probably the main thrust of the replay value.”
“Once you complete the game, there’s little incentive to play through it again since the story doesn’t change and the gameplay feels repetitive.”
“The lack of meaningful choices and branching paths makes replaying the game feel like a chore rather than an exciting challenge.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is consistently praised, featuring its signature comedic style, including amusing elements like a "funny gun" that explodes.
“Their patented humor is here as usual.”
“The funny gun explodes in the most hilarious ways!”
“The game is filled with clever jokes and witty dialogue that keep you laughing.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that a compelling atmosphere can be achieved without relying on high-end graphics, emphasizing that even simple games can create an engaging and challenging experience.
“This is proof that great games don't have to rely on graphics to create a strong atmosphere and that even the simplest of games can be challenging in all the best ways!”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
While the game features appealing graphics and environments, players have reported occasional glitches that detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the aesthetic remains enjoyable.
“The game has a lot of potential, but frequent crashes make it nearly unplayable.”
“I love the concept, but the constant lag and bugs ruin the experience.”
“The graphics are impressive, but the game is plagued by stability issues that detract from the overall enjoyment.”
