Dust: An Elysian Tail

It's the current highlight of the Summer of Arcade, plain and simple.

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In "Dust: An Elysian Tail," become the warrior Dust, wielding the powerful Blade of Ahrah, and explore a beautiful, hand-painted world filled with action-packed combat and diverse quests. Discover ancient secrets, unlock powerful upgrades, and uncover the story of an endangered civilization as you search for your true identity. Combat dozens of enemies with an easy-to-learn, difficult-to-master system and accompanied by Fidget, the blade's loyal guardian.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,144 reviews

story4,101 positive mentions

grinding244 negative mentions

story
8,006 mentions
51 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Dust: An Elysian Tail" is widely praised for its engaging narrative and well-developed characters, particularly the dynamic between the protagonist, Dust, and his sidekick, Fidget. While some reviewers note that the plot follows familiar tropes, such as the amnesiac hero and themes of redemption, many appreciate the emotional depth and unexpected twists that unfold throughout the game. The combination of beautiful hand-drawn visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and fully voiced dialogue enhances the storytelling experience, making it a memorable journey for players.
- “The story and characters within this game are amazing and well fleshed out (especially Fidget).”
- “The story is one of the most engaging and interesting I have ever come across.”
- “Not only is the story good, every line is voice acted, and there are cinematic moments as well.”
- “The story is a product of its time; 2012 was the peak of the amnesiac-hero trope, and it couldn't get more deviantart-furry if it tried, but it serves the gameplay and visuals well.”
- “The story is poorly told, character development is not done very well even though it's really important to the story, and dialogue is badly written.”
- “The story is a bit cliché where you just woke up and don't know who you are or what you're doing.”
gameplay
3,415 mentions
54 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Dust: An Elysian Tail" is widely praised for its fluidity and engaging mechanics, combining hack-and-slash combat with metroidvania exploration. Players appreciate the intuitive controls, satisfying combo system, and the balance between challenge and accessibility, although some note that the combat can become repetitive over time. The game's beautiful art style and compelling story further enhance the overall experience, making it a standout title in the indie gaming scene.
- “The gameplay is fluid and really engaging with a whirling swordplay and gorgeous hand-drawn environments to explore.”
- “The gameplay seamlessly blends fast-paced combat with exploration and platforming, offering a satisfying experience for players of all skill levels.”
- “The gameplay is tight and somewhat easy to master, while also offering a few satisfying endgame challenges.”
- “The gameplay is very repetitive, with slow progression in skills and not-so-varied enemies.”
- “The gameplay essentially devolves into spamming, feeling like something that belongs to a free-to-play flash game rather than a $15 game on Steam.”
- “The gameplay is simplistic and can get boring towards the end.”
graphics
3,336 mentions
66 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of *Dust: An Elysian Tail* are widely praised for their stunning hand-drawn art style, vibrant colors, and fluid animations, creating a visually captivating experience reminiscent of classic animated films. While some players find the anthropomorphic character designs off-putting, many appreciate the unique aesthetic and the overall artistic quality, which is particularly impressive given that the game was primarily developed by a single individual. The combination of beautiful visuals, engaging gameplay, and a compelling story contributes to its status as a standout title in the indie game scene.
- “The graphics are stunning and the gameplay is smooth and satisfying.”
- “Dust: an Elysian Tail is a beautifully made game, control wise and graphically.”
- “The visuals are outstanding, very nicely done 2D visuals, with an occasional subtle 3D element thrown in.”
- “The art style is very much in the time of its creation, same with the voice acting and various other things.”
- “I unfortunately can't even get past the art style which makes me feel like I'm playing an early 2000's flash game at times.”
- “The graphics are very stylized, the characters are instantly likeable thanks to some stellar voice acting.”
music
2,213 mentions
66 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Dust: An Elysian Tail" has been widely praised for its exceptional quality, with many reviewers calling it one of the best soundtracks in gaming. Composed by Hyperduck Soundworks, the score beautifully complements the game's vibrant visuals and emotional narrative, enhancing the overall experience. While some players found certain tracks less memorable, the majority agree that the music significantly contributes to the game's immersive atmosphere and emotional depth.
- “One of the best video game soundtracks of all time.”
- “The soundtrack by Hyperduck Soundworks is a harmonious blend that complements the game's atmosphere perfectly.”
- “The music is absolutely perfect; I could sit with the title screen alone open for hours to relax and reflect.”
- “The music didn't stand out.”
- “The music is mediocre at best and hardly original.”
- “The music was calming at times, intense at other times, but it was always fitting to the scene and really helped get me totally immersed in the atmosphere of this great game!”
humor
645 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Dust: An Elysian Tail" is widely praised for its lightheartedness and charm, primarily driven by the character Fidget, whose witty banter and fourth-wall-breaking lines provide comic relief throughout the game. Players appreciate the balance between humor and serious themes, with many finding the dialogue genuinely funny and engaging, although some critiques mention that the humor can occasionally feel forced or repetitive. Overall, the game's blend of quirky characters, clever writing, and emotional depth contributes to a memorable and entertaining experience.
- “The dynamic between the characters is honestly great, and the banter between stoic Dust and emotional big-mouthed Fidget is just comedy gold that made me laugh out loud several times during my playthrough.”
- “This game combines a dark story with a warm sense of humor, and vibrantly colorful characters.”
- “Fidget's character is adorable and says some funny things, but a lot of the time I loved it.”
- “She is essentially Navi from Ocarina of Time, except every line she delivers is incredibly grating and unfunny, even if her character design is cute.”
- “It's a sword with a bad voice, talking to a confused kid who doesn't know why he has been chosen to wield the magical sword (damn originality...) and a 'comical' (intention only) character that flies around being unadventurous, unfunny, uncool, unsmart, uninteresting, and uneverythingthatwouldmakemewanaplay.”
emotional
414 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Dust: An Elysian Tail" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling and character development, often leading players to tears. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to balance humor with poignant moments, creating a rich emotional experience that resonates deeply, particularly during its impactful ending. Many players describe it as a beautiful, touching journey that leaves a lasting impression, making it a standout title in the indie game scene.
- “Dust is one of the most beautiful, atmospheric, heart-wrenching indie games I've ever played, and it brings me so much joy.”
- “The story is well-written and, as I mentioned, can make you feel emotional.”
- “The ending will leave you in emotional turmoil, absolutely heartbroken, and with a faint hope for a sequel that is probably never going to happen.”
- “The art style is gorgeous and the gameplay flawless; however, this does not make up for a game that has, more or less, no difficulty curve, a boring story, and useless and tedious quests.”
- “There is too much focus on the boring story and the annoying characters like Fidget.”
- “Do you like easy combat, a boring story, and more furries than you can shake a stick at?”
grinding
258 mentions
3 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a mixed experience with grinding in the game, with some players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in combat and backtracking for hidden items. While some appreciate the exploration and resource collection as engaging, others feel that the grinding for experience and materials can become a chore, especially in later stages. Overall, the game offers a balance where grinding is often optional, but can still feel excessive for completionists or those seeking to maximize their character's potential.
- “Even then, it seems like the drop rates are generous so that players aren't grinding 10-15 minutes just to get the materials that they need.”
- “You level at just the right pace that there is absolutely no grinding necessary.”
- “Nice story, great graphics, and surprisingly not grindy even on tough.”
- “In pursuing optional, hidden items, the backtracking felt tedious.”
- “The grind to chip away at its health with magic was so tedious that I would groan any time one popped up.”
- “The quests are tedious and shouldn't be in a metroidvania.”
character development
240 mentions
35 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its depth and emotional impact, while others criticize it for being shallow or poorly executed. Many reviewers note that despite the appealing character designs and engaging gameplay, the narrative often fails to fully utilize the potential for deeper character arcs, leaving some characters feeling underdeveloped. Overall, while there are standout moments of character growth, the execution varies significantly, leading to a somewhat inconsistent experience.
- “Character development is fantastic; every relevant character is likable and gets enough time to not be a meaningless NPC, and the writing is amazing as well; it is subjective, but I found it pretty funny.”
- “The story, the art and sound, and, yes, even the 'furry' character designs pull me into the earnest and innocent fantasy world that serves as a refreshing counterpoint to the 'big-headed child loses their innocence in a big, dark world' indie RPG/adventure games that are so common these days.”
- “Dust obviously has significant character development; Fidget is hilarious and the story has a very conclusive, brilliant ending.”
- “The story is poorly told, character development is not done very well even though it's really important to the story, and dialogue is badly written.”
- “For a game with so many different characters, there is zero character development.”
- “Dust came off as an awfully generic reluctant hero, and what little character development he had seemed forced and out of nowhere.”
replayability
195 mentions
23 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with many players noting limited value after completing the main story. While some enjoy revisiting for achievements or higher difficulty challenges, others find that once fully completed, there is little incentive to replay. Nostalgia and exploration of hidden content can enhance the experience, but many agree that the game is best enjoyed as a one-time playthrough.
- “The story is pretty deep and has a decent replay value; the ending hints at future games as well.”
- “High replayability if you want to challenge yourself on the higher difficulty levels or 4-star the challenge arenas.”
- “The different difficulty levels add a boatload of replay value; a fight you had no issue with on your first playthrough suddenly becomes more daunting on your next playthrough.”
- “My only issue with the game is the lack of replayability, which is really only a fault with the game type rather than anyone else.”
- “Also, the game has a few to zero replayability value; exploring the map for secrets won't do much for your character skills or the story, no additional clues about the rest of the NPCs, no alternative or special scenes for the ending.”
- “Once you complete everything, however, there's not really a lot of replay value.”
atmosphere
162 mentions
69 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Dust: An Elysian Tail" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive environments, and a beautifully composed soundtrack that enhances the emotional depth of the game. Players appreciate the unique art style and the way each area conveys its own distinct atmosphere, from serene forests to haunting graveyards. Overall, the combination of engaging storytelling, charming characters, and atmospheric music creates a captivating experience that resonates with players.
- “The soundtrack by HyperDuck Soundworks is a harmonious blend that complements the game's atmosphere perfectly.”
- “Dust is one of the most beautiful, atmospheric, heart-wrenching indie games I've ever played, and it brings me so much joy.”
- “Every area of this game is very well done and is enriched with an amazing soundtrack that contributes so much to the atmosphere and overall feeling of the game world, leaving you no choice but to love it.”
- “It lacks flavor, it lacks atmosphere, it is never memorable, and it never lends any of the areas a sense of identity.”
- “The music isn't very memorable but it was mostly ambient and subtle and added to the atmosphere of the stages.”
- “The orchestral music also gives the world of Dust personality and atmosphere.”
optimization
86 mentions
40 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users reporting smooth performance across a range of hardware, including older systems. While some instances of stuttering and audio issues were noted, particularly in specific areas or during intense effects, the majority of players experienced consistent frame rates and minimal bugs. The game is well-optimized for various resolutions and offers extensive graphical options, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.
- “The game runs smoothly at all times; it never crashes or anything like that, and there aren't any game-breaking bugs that I could find.”
- “One of the most optimized games I've ever played; in fact, not once in 30 hours of 100% completion did I ever experience a frame drop.”
- “The port of this game is fantastic in terms of optimization and options.”
- “And sadly the last part of the game isn't optimized and crashes, yes the very last bit.”
- “I have a rather high-end system, an 8700k and a 1080ti, but this game experiences stuttering in the form of dropping frames and audio every 10-30 seconds while playing.”
- “Now, the only problem I have with the graphics is that I've had some stuttering in the game.”
stability
56 mentions
9 % positive mentions
4 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting a generally smooth experience free of major crashes or framerate drops, particularly on platforms like the Steam Deck. However, numerous users also encountered various minor glitches and bugs, including freezing issues and graphical anomalies, which can detract from the overall experience. While some players found the game largely bug-free, others noted that the presence of these issues could be frustrating, especially during critical gameplay moments.
- “The gameplay (combat, maneuvering, etc.) is very smooth, and it is amazing how great and bug-free the game is, especially considering it had only one developer.”
- “Playing through, I ran into no glitches or problems, a big plus in my book, and the achievements are not out of reach.”
- “Well optimized and runs great.”
- “If you enjoy playing Sonic '06, you will enjoy playing this; a buggy mess that will have you falling through the map and laughing at the terrible AI.”
- “Every few seconds the game freezes and then continues as if nothing happened.”
- “After I beat the second boss (Lady Tethys), my game freezes completely and locks up my monitor.”
monetization
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with some users initially perceiving it as a potential cash grab due to its simplistic art style and animation reminiscent of low-quality cartoons. However, upon playing, many found the gameplay experience to be more substantial than expected, suggesting that the game's value may extend beyond its initial appearance. Overall, while concerns about its visual presentation exist, the gameplay has shifted some perceptions away from a purely monetization-driven product.
- “Starting out, I thought it was just another cute, anime-themed cash grab, but my mind was changed as soon as I started playing.”
- “(this sounds like an advertisement.)”