The Siege and the Sandfox

It's a good metroidvania based around stealth, with superb music and sound design. Nice, agile character and great pixel graphics. The only problems are: * Lots of backtracking. The map makes it seem like you can get through some paths but you actually can't and need to take the long way around. * Lots of bugs. Most are just to do with animation, visual glitches, scripting of AI (looping, invisible characters etc), but in one case I am pretty sure an elevator platform refused to come down to where I was (the buttons to call it remained depressed after it had risen), which prevented me from continuing the game.

The Siege and the Sandfox is an ambitious 2D action-adventure that sets itself apart by fully committing to stealth within a Metroidvania framework, a combination the developers at Cardboard Sword describe as a “stealthvania.” Published by PLAION, the game transports players to a sun-scorched desert kingdom inspired by Middle Eastern aesthetics and folklore. You assume the role of the Sandfox, a legendary guardian and master assassin who is betrayed, falsely accused of regicide, and thrown into the labyrinthine depths beneath a palace city under siege. From the outset, the tone is somber and deliberate, with a focus on atmosphere, political intrigue, and the creeping threat of an ancient evil spreading through the sands. Rather than relying on bombastic spectacle, the game leans into quiet tension and methodical exploration, allowing its world to gradually unfold through environmental storytelling and carefully placed narrative beats. One of the most immediately striking elements is the visual presentation. The game’s pixel art is painstakingly animated frame by frame, and the use of modern lighting techniques gives it a distinct identity that bridges retro aesthetics with contemporary production values. Warm torchlight flickers against sandstone walls, shadows stretch dynamically across prison corridors, and distant backgrounds shimmer with heat and dust. The environments are diverse yet cohesive, ranging from ornate palace interiors and crumbling mausoleums to underground aqueducts and fungal-lit caverns. Each region feels interconnected, reinforcing the genre’s hallmark of a continuous map that loops back on itself in clever ways. The art direction does more than simply look attractive; it reinforces the stealth focus, as darkness, line of sight, and spatial awareness become tangible aspects of the experience. Gameplay revolves around fluid traversal and avoidance rather than direct confrontation. The Sandfox is agile and highly mobile, capable of sprinting, wall-jumping, sliding through tight passages, vaulting over obstacles, and clinging to ledges with acrobatic precision. Movement is not merely a means of getting from point A to point B but the core of the challenge itself. Guards patrol corridors with defined sightlines, and many encounters are structured like environmental puzzles where timing and positioning matter more than reflexive combat skills. While there are moments where enemies can be silently dispatched, the design consistently nudges players toward evasion and careful planning. This emphasis creates a slower, more deliberate rhythm than many combat-heavy Metroidvanias, rewarding patience and observation over aggression. As with most games in the genre, progression is tied to the gradual acquisition of new abilities that open previously inaccessible routes. However, in this case, upgrades tend to enhance mobility and stealth options rather than expand a combat arsenal. Gaining a new movement technique often recontextualizes earlier areas, encouraging backtracking with fresh possibilities in mind. The map design frequently interlocks in satisfying ways, though this interconnectedness can also lead to extended stretches of retracing steps. For players who relish methodical exploration and memorizing spatial layouts, this structure feels rewarding and cohesive. For others, especially those expecting frequent combat encounters or fast-paced power escalation, the pacing may feel restrained. The narrative unfolds in a restrained and atmospheric manner, relying heavily on voiceover, environmental cues, and subtle worldbuilding rather than lengthy exposition. Themes of betrayal, duty, and decay permeate the experience, and the looming presence of a mysterious sand-borne corruption adds a layer of dark fantasy intrigue. The world feels ancient and burdened by history, with ruins and forgotten chambers hinting at events long past. While the story does not overwhelm the player with dialogue, it provides enough context to make the Sandfox’s journey feel purposeful and personal. The understated approach may leave some players wishing for deeper character development, but it also reinforces the sense of isolation and quiet determination that defines the protagonist. Technically, the game demonstrates clear ambition. The blend of detailed sprite work with dynamic lighting systems creates a distinct visual signature, and the sound design enhances immersion through ambient echoes, distant alarms, and subtle musical cues that swell during moments of tension. That said, the experience is not without occasional rough edges. Certain segments can feel trial-and-error heavy, and the reliance on stealth means that a single misstep may require repeating a sequence. Depending on one’s tolerance for repetition and precise timing, this can either heighten suspense or become a source of frustration. Ultimately, the game stands as a bold interpretation of the Metroidvania formula, one that prioritizes atmosphere, traversal, and stealth over combat spectacle. It is a focused and stylistically cohesive experience that knows what it wants to be, even if that vision diverges from mainstream expectations of the genre. For players who appreciate intricate level design, meticulous movement systems, and a strong sense of place, it offers a memorable and visually arresting journey through a kingdom crumbling beneath siege. While it may not convert those seeking relentless action, it succeeds in carving out a distinctive niche, proving that the familiar structure of a Metroidvania can still feel fresh when approached from a different design philosophy. Rating: 6/10

Lo unico bueno que tiene es el pixel art. El resto del juego es terrible si eres un jugador asiduo de los metroidvania. El juego super roto, muchos, bugs, la orientación es terrible, interactuar con las cosas puede llevar a bugs y glitches, los díalogos llegan a repetirse de manera absurda y podría seguir... No le recomiendo a nadie que se gaste el dinero en este juego si no es mediante una key a menos de 5 o 3€ que es como lo obtuve yo. Gracias por leer, ahórrate el tiempo y el dinero.

Bardzo mieszane uczucia. Gra jest piękna, poziomy ciekawe i gdy wszystko działa to poruszanie się, skradanie, ruch są niesamowicie przyjemne. Niestety nie zawsze wszystko działa, a liczne bugi, ścinki, źle zaprojektowane checkpointy, opóźniony input klawiszy czy brakujące objectivy i konfundująca szybka podróż (która też potrafi się zbugować) powodują że gra momentami niesamowicie frustruje. Jeżeli lubisz powolne platformówko-skradanki o dość wymagającym stopniu trudności - polecam. Jeżeli podoba ci się warstwa audio-wizualna - również warto. Jeżeli potrzebujesz dopracowanego i dobrze przetestowanego produktu - absolutnie nie. Dodatkowo smuci fakt że twórcy sprawiają wrażenie mało zainteresowanych rozwojem gry i poza początkowymi patchami gra nie wydaje się być dalej łatana i wspierana.

For 6 hours, this game was fun. The movement, while it took some getting used to, was enjoyable. The glitches were minor and uncommon. However, I reached a part in the main quest where I need to meet someone whose name starts with Z in a certain place. I've had the quest marker for him dissapear two times. I have no idea where I'm supposed to go, or if the quest bugged out and locked a gate it wasn't supposed to, but I don't feel like running back to where Z originally was again to see if he somehow ended up back there. TL;DR The main quest bugged out in a really frustrating way, that while probably fixable, makes me not want to play.

潜行类类银，主角挺帅，玩着舒服

great game!!!!!!!!!

I like this game, but the reality that this is a partial recommendation. The bugs and lack of polish did harm the experience alot. The later you reach in the game the higher the frequency of both occur. I hope the game gets updated to rectify these issues, but I am not that optimistic. Especially when I saw the last discount was at 80% after one year of release, also the lack of updates since last year doesn't fill me with the confidence that these issues will be solved anywhere in the future or even ever. Still I respect this game. It is unique and I enjoyed it in totality, even though the bugs and crashes were draining my enthusiasm by the end.

Where do I even begin? I really wanted to like this game more. The concept, the setting, the art style, and the atmosphere are all fantastic and immediately drew me in. But... The game is unfortunately held back by a surprisingly large number of bugs. Some are minor inconveniences, while others crash the game faster than the Sandfox after a failed jump. And failed jumps happen more often than they should because many platforming sections require very precise movement. That wouldn't be such a big issue if you didn't often have to backtrack through long sections after making a mistake. I'm also not a big fan of the map design. I wish it had been a little less maze-like and offered more subtle hints about where to go next. This wasn't much of a problem during the first two-thirds of the game, but later on I had to look up a guide multiple times because I simply didn't know how to progress. Missing quest markers in some situations didn't help either. That said, the art style is gorgeous. The world is crafted with so much love and attention to detail that you genuinely want to wander through the streets of Kariman just to take everything in. The gameplay mechanics are fun, and every new gadget you unlock makes traversal faster, smoother, and more enjoyable. The game also ran well on the Steam Deck—aside from the bugs. For now, I'd recommend waiting until the developers fix the technical issues. Otherwise, I'd only pick it up during a good sale. Without all the bugs, the score could easily have been 1–2 points higher. Overall: 6/10

Игра спорная. Вроде управление приятное, отличный пиксель-арт, приятная музыка и звуки. Но сюжета толком та и нет,персонажи не запоминаются, геймплей не развивается, однообразие быстро приедается. Враги однообразные. Как метроидвания игра не работает. Я постоянно тупил и не мог понять, куда мне вообще идти, хотя я прошел не один десяток метроидваний. Если бы можно было поставить нейтральную оценку, то поставил бы. Лучше бы они сделали линейное приключение.