Dusty

For years archaeologist Dusty has traveled the world discovering ruins, sharing his findings. One day, on one of his explorations, he finds a mysterious notebook. It contains a forgotten language, a location and list of dates written in his handwriting, but he doesn't remember ever writing them down. Following his instinct, he picked up his cane ready to unravel the mystery. Inspired by the Can…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

47%

Audience ScoreBased on 19 reviews

gameplay3 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

The game features beautiful artwork and a pleasant aesthetic that enhances the overall experience.
Puzzles are well-designed, providing a good balance of challenge without being overly frustrating.
Dusty offers a relaxing and enjoyable gameplay experience, making it a great choice for players looking for a chill adventure.

The game suffers from performance issues, with some players unable to achieve stable frame rates and lacking graphics options.
There are numerous bugs and navigation problems, leading to frustrating experiences where players get stuck or have to restart.
Some mechanics, particularly the jumping and vaulting, feel floaty and imprecise, detracting from the overall control experience.

gameplay
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received, with effective stick mechanics that contribute to engaging puzzles and a relaxing atmosphere. While many players appreciate the overall experience, some have noted issues with floaty controls and a lack of responsiveness, particularly in jumping mechanics, which could benefit from refinement. Overall, it is recommended for fans of the genre, especially considering its enjoyable and cheerful vibe.
- “The stick mechanics worked well, and gave rise to some interesting puzzles.”
- “It is so nice to play, to watch, to explore, and the vibes it gives during the whole gameplay are so relaxing and cheerful; it made me smile at the end.”
- “In conclusion, I highly recommend this free gem; it is a very good title with successful gameplay, and I recommend it for all lovers of the genre.”
- “I will note that it took a moment for me to become invested in the experience because I was initially put off by what felt to me like floaty movement and lack of 'snap' to the controls, particularly around the jumping/vaulting mechanic.”
- “As this mechanic is employed so frequently, tightening that up would make this a real joy to play.”
graphics
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed reviews, with some users criticizing the performance for failing to maintain 60 fps and lacking adjustable settings, while others praised the artwork and overall aesthetic as beautiful and enjoyable.
- “The artwork is pleasant.”
- “The graphics and music are beautiful.”
- “The puzzles, music, and overall aesthetic were so pleasant to experience!”
- “Atrocious performance; I can't even get 60 fps in some areas, and there are no graphics options to turn off unnecessary settings.”
- “The graphics look outdated and lack detail, making the game feel less immersive.”
- “Textures are low resolution, and the overall visual quality is disappointing compared to other games released this year.”
optimization
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users reporting poor performance that struggles to maintain 60 fps in certain areas. Additionally, the lack of graphics options limits players' ability to adjust settings for better performance, indicating that further optimization is needed, particularly given its use of Unreal Engine.
- “The performance with Unreal Engine could be further optimized.”
- “The performance with Unreal Engine could be further optimized.”
- “Atrocious performance; I can't even get 60 fps in some areas, and there are no graphics options to turn off unnecessary settings.”
- “Performance with Unreal Engine could be further optimized.”
- “Performance with Unreal Engine could be further optimized.”
music
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its beauty and successful soundtrack, contributing positively to the overall aesthetic. However, some users noted that the sound design could use improvement, slightly detracting from the experience.
- “The puzzles, music, and overall aesthetic were so pleasant to experience!”
- “Graphicals and music are beautiful.”
- “Although the soundtrack is very successful, the game suffers a little from its sound design.”
- “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “While the game has some catchy tunes, they quickly become annoying due to their overuse.”
story
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-150 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The story follows Dusty on a mission aided by a friendly creature that guides him through puzzles and blocked paths. Players can earn nine achievements related to progression, item collection, and optional actions, with choices impacting gameplay without necessitating a full replay for alternate outcomes.
- “On Dusty's mission, he receives help from a small and friendly creature that shows him the route to follow. Dusty has to solve puzzles along the way, which are neither trivial nor impossibly obtuse, and the creature can open up apparently blocked paths.”
- “The nine achievements in Dusty are for progression, with two that cannot be missed and two that involve a decision that must be made. Choosing either option does not require replaying the whole game to experience the other; there is also one achievement for collecting items and four for optional actions, none of which affect the continuation of the story.”
- “The story feels disjointed and lacks a cohesive narrative, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Character development is minimal, leaving players feeling disconnected from the protagonists.”
- “The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises or emotional impact.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been criticized for being highly problematic, with users reporting numerous bugs and an overall sense of an unfinished and difficult-to-navigate environment.
- “What I experienced was a level filled with bugs, an unfinished, unnavigable landscape.”
- “Very, very buggy.”