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Dusk '82

Dusk '82 Game Cover
94%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
story, optimization
97% User Score Based on 339 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCSteam DeckWindows
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Dusk '82 Game Cover

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 mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

A simple but addictive action/puzzler demake of the cult shooter DUSK, inspired by classics like Chip's Challenge and Sokoban.

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Dusk '82 screenshot
Dusk '82 screenshot
Dusk '82 screenshot
Dusk '82 screenshot
Dusk '82 screenshot
Dusk '82 screenshot
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97%
Audience ScoreBased on 339 reviews
gameplay22 positive mentions
stability1 negative mentions
  • Engaging and clever puzzle gameplay blending turn-based sokoban and shooting mechanics, offering a fresh and strategic challenge.
  • Excellent retro 8-bit art style with a nostalgic atmosphere complemented by a highly praised chiptune soundtrack.
  • Includes a user-friendly level editor and Steam Workshop support, providing extensive replayability through custom user-created levels.
  • The main campaign is short, typically completed within 2 hours, which some players find too brief for the price.
  • Randomized enemy AI movement can cause frustrating moments, making some puzzles feel more based on luck than strategy.
  • Limited in-game options like no settings for adjusting audio balance and no rewind feature can impact user convenience.
  • gameplay
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this game is praised for its inventive puzzle mechanics, evolving complexity, and fresh ideas introduced throughout the short campaign, blending action-puzzler elements with a retro 8-bit aesthetic. While some find it simple and less challenging, the varied mechanics, creative level design, and inclusion of custom maps offer engaging and enjoyable gameplay that stands out despite its brevity. Overall, it is appreciated as a fun, bold, and original experience that captures the spirit of classic games with modern innovation.

    • “I enjoyed the puzzle mechanics and the sound design along with the surprisingly well done level design, especially the final fight with Big John.”
    • “The game keeps things feeling fresh by constantly introducing new ideas and mechanics, right up until the very end.”
    • “The little quips of instructions during the intermission are charming and the main gameplay loop evolves over time to become more complex and difficult.”
    • “What I appreciate about this game is its willingness to break the meta for a puzzle; however, I can't help but feel that many of those 'gotcha' type levels exist 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.”
    • “Quite a simple puzzle game, and spending just a minute watching gameplay is enough to get the basic idea.”
  • music
    39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy, iconic chiptune soundtrack that effectively captures the menacing and retro tone of the original Dusk game. Andrew Hulshult’s compositions are highlighted as a major highlight, enhancing the atmosphere and player engagement, with many noting the soundtrack's blend of nostalgia and fresh energy. Additionally, the support for custom music via the level editor adds further appeal, allowing players to personalize their auditory experience.

    • “The soundtrack is iconic and really stands out, setting the perfect tone for the gameplay.”
    • “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.”
    • “I wanted to make SFX lower and music louder really bad because music is so cool but kinda quiet compared to sound effects.”
    • “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 colour palette and style (similar to New Blood's Faith).”
    • “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).”
  • graphics
    29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game embrace a minimalist, retro Atari-2600 style with pixel art and simple sound effects, effectively capturing an '80s aesthetic that complements its gameplay. While the visuals are basic and primitive compared to modern standards, they are well-executed, charming, and enhance the nostalgic atmosphere without detracting from the experience. The inclusion of a level editor supporting custom graphics also allows players to personalize visuals, proving that strong gameplay and style outweigh high-end graphics in this title.

    • “Speaking of design, 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.”
    • “The game also nails the feel of an Atari game from the graphics, to the way you control your character, and the game fully embraces this era with mechanics like only being able to hold one item at a time and uses these 'limitations' to its advantage by incorporating them into the puzzle designs.”
    • “The graphics are very minimalistic again like Atari but you don't have to suffer the 'did not age well feel' because it plays very smoothly, has pretty cool 8bit tracks, and all really recommend it.”
    • “It is a nice bonus game for the fans of the original title, however, as a standalone product, it is pretty weak, and I am not even speaking about the graphics.”
    • “Music is also very enjoyable, much better than the overly retro graphics.”
    • “A perfect representation of why gameplay is more important than graphics.”
  • story
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story is generally short and serves mostly as a backdrop to the action, with some players finding it minimal or lacking depth. However, it provides interesting world-building and connections to the original Dusk, especially appreciated by fans familiar with the series. Those seeking a rich narrative may be disappointed, as the plot mainly revolves around shooting monsters with limited storytelling elements.

    • “Its a cool game but it also has a story about what happened before E1M1, so check that out!”
    • “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 puzzles rely on minimal storytelling and an association with an established action game to sell a scenario, but lack the theatrics to make the action feel meaningful, resulting in filler content.”
    • “The main story is short; additional campaigns or more content would have been appreciated.”
    • “$7 for 30 levels feels expensive for about an hour of playtime, so if you're mainly interested in the story, you might be disappointed.”
  • humor
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor is well-received, with standout moments like a laugh-out-loud last boss, amusing weapon effects, and quirky character details. The game’s trademark comedic style shines through, including clever April Fools' jokes that become part of the gameplay.

    • “Last boss made me laugh out loud.”
    • “The 'diamonds' that characterize the barely described 'Duskguy' as a bounty hunter are cute, and the medkit that can basically telefrag is hilarious.”
    • “Literal April Fools’ jokes that become a real thing are inherently hilarious too.”
  • atmosphere
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its engaging music, retro style, and thoughtful design, which together create a compelling and immersive experience. Despite simple graphics, the strong atmosphere keeps players interested and enhances the puzzle-solving challenge.

    • “I often get bored of puzzle games fast but the music, atmosphere, retro style, and tweaks to the genre kept me interested.”
    • “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!”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The main campaign is short and relatively easy, limiting initial replayability, but the inclusion of a level editor offers extensive creative freedom. Additionally, bonus items and score challenges provide motivation for replaying to improve performance.

    • “The game has a level editor that lets you run wild and do pretty much anything within the constraints of the game engine, providing great replayability.”
    • “There are bonus items that add to your score, so going for records offers significant replay value.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features a well-balanced approach to optimization, combining thoughtful puzzle-solving with flexible enemy-dodging mechanics for an engaging experience.

  • stability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game generally provides a stable experience with appealing graphics and environments, though occasional visual glitches can detract from its overall polish.

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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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2h Median play time
2h Average play time
2-3h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Dusk '82 is a casual turn-based strategy game.

Dusk '82 is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

On average players spend around 2 hours playing Dusk '82.

Dusk '82 was released on October 22, 2021.

Dusk '82 was developed by David Szymanski.

Dusk '82 has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its story.

Dusk '82 is a single player game.

Similar games include Killer Clowns (2016), DUSK, Out There Somewhere, Chop Goblins, Prodeus and others.