Crystal Story: Dawn of Dusk

As is I can't recommend this game. The graphics and music are both wonderful, but that's about the only thing this game has to offer. The combat and dungeons seemed like they could be interesting but there was just not enough content in either regard to even consider this a full release. You're getting less than three hours for 15$, which is silly. I'm aware that there are going to be updates that will expand on the story as well as provide additional content but as of right now this game is an early access release. Once more content is added I'd happily consider changing my review.

Full Walkthrough: https://youtu.be/5cCDk7wqawk ★★★★★ Gameplay: Good Graphics: Retro Music: Good Story: Very Good PC Requirements: Potato Game Time: 3 - 5 hrs First game published and it is wonderful.

Found this game a few years ago on accident, this game has an insane ost and is pretty fun, feels like celeste, undertale, LoZ, and earthbound in one. Solid game

*Note that this game is incomplete. Treat it as an Early Access title with paid episodes that will be released in the future. [b]My Playtime:[/b] 3.3h (finished the game) [h1]Intro[/h1] [b]Crystal Story Dawn of Dusk[/b] is what happens when you merge [b]The Legend of Zelda[/b] and [url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/391540/Undertale/][b]Undertale[/b][/url]. It has either a top-down or sidescroller view where you can explore the world and solve puzzles, and a fight where you have to do a minigame to accomplish your mission. The minigame is still in the top-down, [i]Zelda[/i]-like format, which gives it a different look from [b]Undertale[/b]. [b]Pros:[/b] - Clever, simple puzzles - Satisfying gameplay where you need to learn how to finish an enemy to beat the boss efficiently [b]Cons:[/b] - No cutscene skips for retrying boss fights - Boss fights can be repetitive - Homing enemies are too annoying [b]Specs[/b] [url=https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck]Steam Deck[/url]: AMD Zen 2 4c/8t 2.4-3.5GHz, 16 GB RAM, 8 AMD RDNA 2 CUs [h1]Should you buy this game?[/h1] [b]Yes.[/b] [i]It is too overpriced for the length it currently offers though so buy it when it is extremely discounted. It's mostly for those who enjoy the action-adventure genre in a top-down view.[/i] [hr][/hr] [h1]In-Depth Review[/h1] [h3]Visuals[/h3] The visuals in the game are varied, but they are mostly pixelated. That and the music remind me of games in the GBC era, although the modern touch like the lighting and the more realistic-looking backgrounds make it way better than it should. Furthermore, it offers a CRT filter for those who prefer the look, although I prefer the game without the filter because I can see the details better. The only thing that irks me is the proportions; grown-ups look like monsters with their humongous size, especially since objects such as cars look way smaller than their size. [h3]Story[/h3] The game isn't that good at telling the story, especially in the beginning. I didn't play the prologue, [url=https://bredfrown.itch.io/crystal-story][b]Crystal Story: Awakening[/b][/url], so I don't know if it's the culprit or not, but things just progressed too fast without making any sense. I just lost it when I found that the characters behaved differently at the beginning of the game. I know that it tries to make it mysterious, but it doesn't help when the game makes it as if everyone already knows about the story and I had to deduce everything that happened by then. That being said, I liked the adventure vibe that the story was giving in the middle of the game. The game made it sound as if there were a lot of things to explore and do. However, the ending was just done abruptly. I know that it was giving a room for the next episode, but what happened before the cutoff point didn't sit right with me. [h3]The Game[/h3] [b]Gameplay[/b] The gameplay is divided into two sections: 1) a top-down view where you have to explore the world and solve puzzles with your abilities and 2) a turn-based battle system with a minigame in the format of the first section where you have to do a certain objective. Think of it as [b]Undertale[/b]'s battle system where you have to choose a command (attack/charge/item/arts) and do something within the time limit. The first one is kinda straightforward. You have the ability to shoot fire, allowing you to unlock other areas and make enemies vulnerable so they can be killed with other means. Other enemies have different ways to be killed, but most of them respond with the use of fire spells. More abilities will be obtained later on which can used to defeat other enemies. Despite the variety, I hate how one enemy keeps on homing on you after a certain period of time. Some areas force you to go up on a cliff, forcing you to press the run button to scale it. Sometimes there will be either grass or the homing enemies when you reach the top, forcing you to go down and finish your business first. The game's puzzle reminds me of the older [b]Zelda[/b] games. You are supposed to figure out how to proceed with the items that you have, which sometimes might be tricky to do. I admit I got stuck on it a bit, especially in one dungeon which forced me to go back and forth to other areas a lot. Some enemies are also designed this way; you need to figure out which attack you need to use to defeat them. The game has a world map, but the game progression is still linear. Despite signaling that you can visit all areas in any order you want, you still need to finish them in a certain order. Some areas require a certain power-up that can only be obtained in another area, forcing you to waste your time and return to the area entrance manually to visit the other areas first. Luckily, defeated enemies stay defeated so you can traverse the area quickly. [b]Boss Fights[/b] Boss fights are done in a turn-based format. You can attack, charge, use an item, and use a special attack once you successfully charge three times. However, the fight seems to force you to spam the special attack. The use item option is useless since you can use your potion easily when you charge or dodge the enemy's attack, and all of my normal attacks missed the boss when I used it. I ended up charging all the time and using my special attacks whenever it's available because of it. Charging or defending from enemies' attacks will initiate a minigame from a top-down perspective. Charging usually requires you to hit some orbs before the time limit while defending will require you to survive before the time runs out. It's pretty much randomized; you need to get used to how they work before you can complete them. Getting hit by the enemy while you are in it will reduce your HP, although luckily, you can spam your potion in case you are having trouble with it. It gets repetitive after a while, though. [b]Length and Difficulty[/b] The game is very short. It only took me 3.3h and that's generous since I got stuck in an area and kept on moving back and forth between two areas for it. The game isn't difficult, but you need to be good in the minigame in the boss fights or risk relying on the randomizations, hoping to get the easier ones that you can finish. [b]Issues[/b] Collision errors are numerous. I could find myself clipping through the area in the second forest, and I got stuck several times while I was jumping around, forcing me to jump randomly just to be able to walk again. Moreover, there is also a lack of QoL features and things that seem to be forgotten: save points that are sparsely placed, coins and item drops are useless, no quick travel between areas, and most importantly, no option to skip cutscene when you retry a boss fight. Furthermore, there was a limited item that can fully heal you when you are almost dead but you can't even restock it nor control when to use it. I had it activated when I was trying to run quickly through an area and I moved to a fireplace that kept on damaging me before I knew. An invisibility frame or some sort will be better in this situation. [h1]Conclusion[/h1] I enjoyed [b]Crystal Story Dawn of Dusk[/b]. It has unique gameplay and beautiful visuals, although sadly, it was way too short for its asking price. However, since I felt invested in it and noticed the game's high quality, I ended up giving it a thumbs up, although I'd still prefer to recommend buying it on a sale mainly because of the price and the lack of QoL polish. [quote]This game was reviewed with a key provided by the developer for free through Curator Connect.[/quote] [quote]Follow our Curator page, [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/41449676/]Summit Reviews[/url], to see more reviews regularly.[/quote]

Can you please list this game here as early access?

Feels like I just played through chapter 1 of a much longer game, but that's all that was present here. There's a huge map, but only three locations you can visit on said map. There's a plot hook for sequels at the end, and what /is/ there is pretty decent, but decent doesn't feel like it justifies spending 15 dollars on such a content-light game. There's a total of 5 main locations, two of which are really short and one of which is more of a thoroughfare than anything, making for a total of two dungeons, each of which contains one upgrade, plus one additional upgrade you can find. Enemies drop a bunch of money, but all you can spend it on is 10 coin healing potions. Like I said, what is there is decent, and it shows promise... but honestly, I'd recommend holding off until either this game gets more content, or the series itself is expanded.

Accidentally came across this game, and man am I glad I did. Taking inspiration from various retro rpgs. Its one of the most unique games I've played, and even though It Is short with only taking me about 3 hours to finish. I couldn't recommend It more, and with free content updates on the way. Its 100% worth playing If not now. Then sometime down the road.

消えた兄を探して少女が不思議な世界を冒険するRPG。 クリアまで5時間程度。 今後も無料アプデでコンテンツ拡充予定とのこと。 全体的な雰囲気はMOTHER、アクションは2Dゼルダ+聖剣2、ボス戦はUndertale+メイドインワリオと、 山盛りながらそれぞれが良くできていて、ツギハギ感はありません。 特にダッシュ、ジャンプがあり操作性がキビキビしている点では充分に現代的なアクションで、 単なるレトロに留まらない魅力がありました。 惜しむらくは、出来がいいだけにこの箱にもっと物語が詰まっていれば……と物足りなさがある点です。 もっとこのゲームで遊びたかったという気持ちでいっぱいです。 トレーラーを見て気に入ったなら、プレイしてみて期待に応えてくれる一作です。

Very interesting mix of Zelda and Mother. Battles have an action window similar to undertale, but here it very clearly represents the battlefield. Didn't fully understand the idea in trailers, but it's very simple to understand once you play. Looking forward to finishing, and the developer mentions that they'll continue to add some post game content in the future.

This is the developers first game but it's also on sale for $15 and I have to say... it's not worth $15. Got to the final boss before the 3 hour mark and a lot of that time was spent back tracking through pretty dull maps. The developer promises more content so maybe in the future, $15 is a steal but for now, $15 is better spent on a game with more content. While I like the art style and the dialog was passable, the game tries to be Zelda, Dragon Quest, and I guess Tails all at once but it's not really good at the turn based system or the Zelda like parts or the action parts of the turn based boss battles. A lot of times, the best decision a creative person can make is say "no" but it feels to often the developers just said "yes" to everything. It's possible that with future updates, there is enough content to justify the $15 price tag. But those updates will need to come with massive gameplay improvements.