Dusk '82

About

Dusk '82 is a single player casual turn-based strategy game. It was developed by David Szymanski and was released on October 22, 2021. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 578 reviews

gameplay36 positive mentions

stability2 negative mentions

Dusk '82 features addictive gameplay with simple yet challenging puzzles that require strategic thinking.
The retro aesthetic and chiptune soundtrack create a charming atmosphere reminiscent of classic puzzle games.
The inclusion of a level editor and Steam Workshop support adds significant replayability and community engagement.

The main campaign is relatively short, taking about 90 minutes to complete, which may leave some players wanting more content.
Enemy movements can be unpredictable, leading to frustrating moments during gameplay.
While the puzzles are engaging, some players may find the overall difficulty to be on the easier side.

gameplay
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
52%
4%
The gameplay of *dusk '82* is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, offering a blend of challenging puzzles and action elements that keep players hooked. While the game features only 30 main levels, its intuitive design and a robust level editor provide ample opportunities for creativity and replayability. However, some players feel that the reliance on gimmicky puzzles can detract from a satisfying gameplay loop, despite the overall clever level design and introduction of new mechanics throughout the game.
- “While it's certainly a departure, dusk '82 managed to hook me with its simple yet challenging puzzles and surprisingly addictive gameplay loop.”
- “There are constantly new enemies, weapons, or mechanics being introduced up until the final boss that keep the gameplay feeling fresh.”
- “This is a testament to great game design; what the devs envisioned here is nothing short of a masterpiece, showing the little relevance graphics have when the core of your gameplay is full of grace, style, and awesome music.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “My issues are with the backwards stylistic choices themselves rather than the gameplay, which is really clever in terms of level design.”
music
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
45%
4%
The music in Dusk '82 has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its catchy chiptune renditions of the original Dusk soundtrack, composed by Andrew Hulshult. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to create a tense atmosphere while enhancing the gameplay experience, making it a standout feature of the game. Overall, the music is described as enjoyable and well-integrated, contributing significantly to the game's charm and nostalgic appeal.
- “The icing on the cake, however, is the chiptune renditions of the original Dusk soundtrack, which do very well in emulating the menacing sense of dread that the original FPS game had.”
- “Dusk '82 is a dang fine puzzle shooter with a banger chiptune soundtrack and really engaging puzzles!”
- “All in all, this was a lovingly crafted experience that has its own lovely rendition of Dusk's soundtrack, making you feel right back at home in the rust-caked hell that is Dusk, Pennsylvania.”
- “The soundtrack includes chiptune remixes of some of the tracks from Dusk.”
- “I appreciate that I can listen to 80s-ified Andrew Hulshult music to help distract myself from how utterly stupid I am.”
- “If you are familiar with Dusk, this is a very vague representation of the game (includes 3 enemies from episode 1, Big John from episode 2, the 3 key cards, and some of the more iconic weapons like the crossbow that can shoot through walls, the soap - and of course some OST remakes from Hulshult), all done in the style of Chip's Challenge in a very crude color palette and style (similar to New Blood's Faith).”
graphics
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
75%
5%
The graphics of "dusk '82" are characterized by a charming and nostalgic retro aesthetic, reminiscent of classic 80s puzzle games and Atari visuals. While the minimalist pixel-art style may appear basic, it effectively captures the essence of the era and enhances the gameplay experience, proving that engaging mechanics can outweigh graphical fidelity. Overall, the visuals are well-executed, contributing to a strong atmosphere despite some minor glitches.
- “The pixel-art graphics and simple sound effects work to give Dusk '82 a charming sense of retro style, and the controls are well mapped out for both keyboard and controller setups.”
- “Outstanding visuals, truly spectacular.”
- “The extremely minimalist graphics are very well done.”
- “Music is also very enjoyable, much better than the overly retro graphics.”
- “A perfect representation of why gameplay is more important than graphics.”
- “This puzzle game proves graphics really don't matter.”
story
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
59%
14%
The story in Dusk ’82 provides some interesting world-building and connects to the original Dusk, particularly with a notable ending that ties back to its beginning. However, many players feel that the narrative is minimal and often serves as filler for the action, lacking the depth to engage those primarily interested in the story. While the game features solid mechanics and music, its short playtime may leave story-focused players wanting more.
- “Interesting plot and great music.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “$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.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
The game's replayability is significantly enhanced by a level editor that allows players to create and share custom levels, fostering community engagement. While the main campaign is short and lacks hidden secrets, players can still find replay value in pursuing high scores and records. However, some users feel that certain aspects of the game offer little to no replayability, indicating a mixed reception overall.
- “This adds a whole new layer of replayability and community engagement to the game.”
- “Level editor: create and share your own levels for endless replayability.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its ability to create tension and engagement, even without relying on heavy graphics or a heavy metal soundtrack. Reviewers highlight that the game successfully delivers a compelling experience through its sound design and simple yet effective gameplay, proving that strong atmosphere can be achieved in various ways.
- “And while the soundtrack may not be as heavy metal as its parent game, it still manages to create a tense and atmospheric experience.”
- “Fun little puzzle game with great atmosphere for cheap.”
- “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!”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by quirky elements, such as the amusing "diamonds" associated with the bounty hunter and the comically absurd telefragging medkit. Players appreciate the consistent and trademark humor that the developers are known for, adding a lighthearted touch to the gameplay.
- “The 'diamonds' that characterize the barely described 'duskguy' as a bounty hunter are cute, and the medkit that can basically telefrag is hilarious.”
- “Their patented humor is here as usual.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features appealing graphics and environments, but users have reported occasional glitches that detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the aesthetic remains enjoyable.