It’s crazy to think it’s been six years since Dean Dodrill’s enchanting anthropomorphic action-RPG first slashed its way into our lives. Back when Xbox 360 - of all places - was the place to be for up and coming indie talent, Dust: An Elysian Tail emerged as a bright new addition to the Metroidvania genre long before it became the overcrowded corner of the industry it is today. So, considering it’s appeared on every platform known to man (kitchen sinks included), it’s finally time for this memorable gem to make its mark on the Nintendo Switch.
It’s a testament to Dodrill’s talent that you really wouldn’t know this was a game first released in 2012. The speed and precision of its combat - which offers you a seemingly simple set of moves that gel together to create a flurry of fluid combos - still feels empowering from the opening moments to the final boss fight. The art style - falling somewhere between Studio Ghibli production and a ‘90s Disney animated movie - brings every corner of its world to life in a way that simply refuses to date. In an age where so many developers opt for pixel art over anything else, the game's cartoonish aesthetic is as refreshing as it was on Xbox Live Arcade all those years ago.
If you’ve never played Dust: An Elysian Tail before (seriously, where have you been?) then you’re in for a treat. The game follows the journey of the titular Dust, a cat-like warrior who awakens with a serious case of memory loss (you know, as heroes tend to do in these sort of situations). After discovering a sentient sword called the Blade of Arah - and its guardian, a wise-cracking flying critter called Fidget - our feline hero heads out to recover his memories and, time permitting, save the land from the armies of the evil General Gaius.
It’s not the kind of story that’s going to break any great traditions or shed any notable fantasy tropes, but it’s kept from falling into mediocrity by a mostly on-form voiceover cast and decent dialogue. When matched with the striking visuals, you’ll find Dust, Fidget and Arah make an intriguing team while most of the NPCs you meet feel like actual characters rather than stock quest-givers. It also means you’re more likely to keep up with the story, since you’re less likely to skip through dialogue exchanges.
The meat and potatoes of the Dust experience - yes, we’re finally talking combat - remains and it’s a rip-roaring example of how to give the player a simple set of moves that offer enough options to make them feel truly powerful. You can slash your sword with ‘Y’ while ‘X’ performs a Dust Attack. On its own, this is a marginally powerfully spinning move that can grief enemies if they stray into its AOE. Fidget can also fire a few bursts of energy with ‘A’. On their own, these moves aren’t that powerful - that is until you start chaining them together. Then the real fun begins.
Pressing ‘A’ then holding ‘X’ will turn Fidget’s mostly harmless attack into a fiery barrage of projectile death as your spinning blade sends them ricocheting around the screen. You can also dash around the screen by jumping and pressing ‘X’ - perfect for tracking and punishing the myriad flying enemies the game will throw at you throughout. You can even press ‘Y’ while in the air to slash enemies some more, or ‘X’ again to catch a foe and slam them to the ground. The caveat that stops you from just spamming your Dust Attack ad nauseam is a timer that will heavily damage Dust if he uses this attack in its many forms for too long.
If Dust starts to glow red and the screen starts to shake, you’ll need to let go and rest for a few seconds. It’s a neat way to force you to economise your offence, and with the power to dash left and right (with ‘ZL’ or ‘ZR’ respectively, or by moving the right analog stick) you always have options to evade attacks if you’re paying enough attention. You can even parry any enemy attack by pressing ‘Y’ just as an enemy strike connects; doing so will briefly stun a foe, which can make a big difference when you’re facing one of Dust: An Elysian Tail’s many giant baddies.
As a Metroidvania-style game with a heavy dose of RPG mechanics, there are all the hallmarks you’d expect from a 2D action-platformer. Every region of the game is broken into separate areas, each with their own multi-tiered sections that hold secrets and chests that can only be reached once you’ve unlocked a new ability and returned later to retrieve them. You’ll gather XP and level up, then spend the gems you earn to increase all your usual stats from your health bar to the damage you dish out. They’re not systems that rewrite the formula, but they do the job when it comes to quantifying all that combat into tangible progress.
It’s still a shame those RPG mechanics fail to bring anything notably different to the game’s engaging formula - compared to the refreshing precision of its combat and the enchanting direction of its art style, it’s one of the few areas that feels a little too safe. Also, Dust: An Elysian Tail’s boss battles are still a bit of a letdown. They’re not terrible, just a little uninspiring, which is a shame considering how much fun it is to chain a fluid combo of death on regular enemies.
Conclusion
While a handful of legacy problems persist onto Nintendo Switch, those issues aren't enough to conceal Dust: An Elysium Tail’s true quality. With a beautiful world to explore, an intriguing cast of characters and a combat model that’ll make you feel like you're starring in an anthropomorphic version of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, this is an indie gem that’s still as fun and rewarding as it was when it first slashed its way onto the scene - despite some small niggles.
Comments 42
Pre-ordered the physical last week, so probably will get it around December, if other orders from Limited Run is any indication.
This reminds me.. I need to finish Hollow Knight.
Looks like he upgraded the graphics too. Might double dip, only played this on PC and didnt finish it because of Civ 5.
It's crazy to think that making this game was Mr. Dodrill's original dream, yet he "settled" for working on his own feature length animated film for over five years.
When he finally decided to shelve that Sisyphean task for a while, he took to the XNA dev framework released for XBLA indie creators and hammered out Dust in less than two years (as far as I could tell.) I really look up to this dude.
I've had Dust around on Steam/Humble since forever, but Switch might be where I actually make sure to play it!
I ordered this one physical from Limited Run Games too, I'm looking forward to it.
I played this for about an hour on Steam a year or so ago and my feeling at the time was that it just felt generic.
But I'm well aware an hour is not long enough to judge most games, and a lot of people seem to like this one, so it'll be a case of whether I can overcome my initial lack of connection to it to make it seem worthy of the backlog.
@aznable You know, I thought this same thing a few weeks ago. Went back into Hollow Knight, completed the entire game bar dlc... Or so I thought. Not gonna spoil anything, but I stumbled upon something called "Path of Pain" - and well, 76 hours of gaming later (not in one go) I put down the game only having completed "Path of Pain", still missing everything else in DLCs and the final boss.
Returning is gonna be so hard, PoP was pure evil and I was close to frisbeeing stuff (my Switch and joycons) often. That, and I know for sure I'm gonna get my ass kicked because I bloody suck at Hollow Knight.
hell yeah jus waiting for lrg to send it my way
I've tried playing this before and wasn't amazed by it.
Might try it again.
I'm one of the few who's been living under a rock and never played this game. I think I'll give it a go. The price is fair for the digital version so that's what I'll do.
And the September of Indie Classics coming to Switch continues (seriously, what's up with September and it bombarding Switch with indie classics like Hyper Light Drifter, Bastion and Undertale?). Also yes, the rock I've been living under for the past few years was quite comfortable.
I really enjoyed this game. Reminded me a lot of Odin Sphere (without the massive slowdown problems)
Dust was great when I played on Xbox, very fun action platformer. I'd encourage anyone on the fence to give it a go.
@Royalblues
I'd agree with you, but a lot of these indie games are more inspired and creative than what the majority of big AAA studios churn out year after year. I finished Spiderman's story in two and a half days, and while I enjoyed that part of it, the open world got really repetitive and Ubisofty after a while. That was $60 for enjoyment that lasted me roughly the same amount of time as The Messenger or Blossom Tales.
Aside from DQ11, I'm good on new PlayStation 4 games until 2019. The older I get, the less time and money I want to spend on AAA games. Dust is a great game with fun combat, beautiful visuals and it was all made by one dude. That's the kind of thing that impresses me these days.
Got this for free on PS+ ages ago - I am good.
The Switch 2018 release schedule is for people who never bought any good Indies/AAA in the last 5-6 years.
@Royalblues
I played a TON of Overwatch, the best competitive shooter since Halo 2 imo. Though I just played as Lucio 95% of the time aha. I'm not really as into online shooters nowadays, maybe I'm just getting old. I love Rocket League though.
Pre-ordered a copy from Limited Run so I'll have to wait a bit to play it but I'm looking forward to it.
Ordered my physical from Limited Run. Can't wait!
See, this is why I find the indie scene gross. This guy could do this that looks like a full retail game, looks modern, looks and plays like a complete game in 2012. Yet in 2018 half the indies can barely drag themselves to produce a game that looks like it was made in 1988. Why are we paying those guys? How did we let our standards drop that NES/SNES is perfectly normal for "indies" when 6 years ago this was already possible by a few people?
@subpopz @gcunit I have to say I'm not someone that really likes most Indies at all. I love Steamworld Dig 2, occasionally I find an indie that I really like. I'm enjoying Cat Quest for the sheer squee factorl. Honestly I'm not really enjoying Bastion much, the concept seems cool, the gameplay seems meh and the gimmick of the assembling floors and narrator doesn't save the bland gameplay. It's frantic, but bland. Hollow Knight is absolute quality, but unfortunately very niche appeal for those that like to suffer. But Dust....Dust is a masterpiece. It doesn't feel like an indie it feels like a retail release from a small publisher. How many indies are fully voice acted with cutscenes? My only complaint with the game is it's too short. I thought it was short when it was already 70% done in 10 hours, but I was ok with it, then it abruptly ended at the final boss and I was like "But where's my other 25%?!" Apparently that must be including all treasures and such? But while I largely can't really get into many indies at all, this one will remain a well loved game. It may be too easy for much of the game, but it's fun all the same.
This game is easily still one of my favorite indie games. Played it 3 times and will definitely play it again when my copy arrives. Such a great game
I'll buy it soon. I'm in Hollow knight as most people and Hyper light drifter right now. The demo on Xbox 360 was awesome!
This is such a great game. It's another one I'm really happy to be able to play on Switch. It seems like it's only a matter of time until nearly every top game in gaming history is available on Switch. The only one high on my list that seems unlikely is Wipeout, but maybe Wipeout 64 can be released on Switch??
I am one of those "weirdos" who has never played this, so I look forward to picking up soon! I'm half way through Blossom Tales now (picked it up on sale a couple of weeks ago) and once that's finished this will probably be my next pick up.
@Bunkerneath Same here, but I also pre-ordered Yooka-Laylee so I hope both get home by December as well.
Fun Fact: This game has a Special Thanks to "The Samurai Pizza Cats," and was spearheaded by Dean Dodrill of Edoropolis Emporium (SPC Forum)!
I'm surprised the reviewer didn't mention how unbelievably obnoxious the Navi, I mean, Fidget character is. As silly as it sounds he/she/it was the key reason I stopped playing the game.
I'm surprised I haven't heard of this before, but sounds like it's worth a look. There are so many great 2D platformers and Metroidvanias on the Switch though.
@Fake-E-Lee I'll add it to my ever-growing wishlist then!
I don't remember much of the game but I do remember loving it. It reminded me of Muramasa: The Demon Blade on Wii.
Enjoyed this on Vita, agree with the 8 rating...
Sold my 360 after buying this there on launch, so never got to play it. Makes me so mad that they won't make it BC so I don't have to buy it again. If I was working, it would be different & would buy again easily. Mark of the Ninja is the same & was to see if switch version comes out before x1 BC. I wish there was at least a demo of these games, cuz I could have saved some money on other games to buy ones I'd actually play.
I hear this has basic combat & the "precision controls" is very subjective, obviously, but so many reviews said as much about dead cells & that is not precision to me, at all (at least in the areas that count to me, I guess?). One of the reviews says you use the same 4 buttons the whole game & you never evolve or change in any meaningful way, so it gets boring fast. I'd hate to get it with my last remaining eShop credit & hate it,but it's hard when. I've been wanting to play it for so long (& even worse that I own it on a platform I can't play it on because microsoft picks, chooses & takes their sweet time on what games they want to make BC).
Was planning on getting undertale because it's the last big name pixel art game that interests me & switch handheld mode makes those games much more enjoyable to me than trying to play on an HDTV that makes them look even worse than they already look to me. Oh well, I'm just venting as usual. I probably value different types & aspects of games than you do, but I don't mean to put anyone else's opinions down, FWIW.
Must say, this looks brill.
like everything except the color, teal.
@Agramonte I know that's gotta suck for a lot of people, but I am so welcoming it, for the most part. I had a Wii and a Wii U, so I missed out on all the video games that weren't Zelda, Smash or Mario. I'm legitimately elated at most of these ports.
@nonprophetmusic You then are in heaven right now. Some of these make more sense on the Switch.
This is a bit like my PC friends who now get more Japanese games. And they like kids in a candy store.
Bought this as soon as it dropped. It's a fantastic treat on the eyeballs, ears and brain. It's combat is pretty soothing. However, If you're the kind of person that has completed Dead Cells without picking up any additional weapons and power-ups you will despise it.
I've heard Dust: An Elysian Tail being referred as a 90's Saturday morning cartoon. It's not a ground breaking story, but it is thoroughly enjoyable.
Seems like a good game but it's got a really "furry" vibe.
DeviantArt: The Video Game
@Agramonte I'm so pumped for Saints Row The Third. Played a bit on a buddy's pc. Never thought I'd see it on a Nintendo system, let alone portable. Heck yeah. There are many, many more, but that's one that came outta nowhere that got me all kinds of excited.
This will be my fourth time owning the game.when my physical copy arrives. One of my favorite modern games. Looking forward to playing it again as well.
It's as if my PSN game library is being ported to the Switch (though as noted this game originated on the 360.) And that isn't a bad thing.
Would making the RPG mechanics notably different actually make the game any better than it already is? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Add to future Wishlist...
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