The Siege and the Sandfox

I never thought I'd play a stealth metroidvania before but I really loved this game. There's no combat beyond sneaking up behind guards and knocking them out. This is strictly a stealth based game and it does a good job at it. There are certainly some faults that I want to discuss though. The controls can be a bit frustrating at times. There were plenty of times I missed a jump because the controls felt a bit finnicky. Fortunately, for the most part, checkpoints were pretty frequent so it never felt that punishing, just frustrating when it happened. There are a lot of negative reviews about guards bugging out. It happened sometimes but it was pretty rare for me. I assume the bugs got patched out at some point since release. Occasionally, I would run into a guard that would be stuck in alert mode, enough to make note of it, but not enough for it to really worsen my experience with the game. The game also focuses a lot on exploration. There comes a mission about 2/3 of the game where you have to gather evidence and some of it doesn't have any quest markers on the map. I ended up looking up a guide for them after I couldn't figure out where to go for some help but if I didn't, I felt like I would have helplessly been exploring the whole map. Those are some issues of mine that I think should be addressed but overall, I still had an absolute blast with the game. There aren't many 2D stealth games out there and this one does a good job. The story's decent enough and the voice acting is surprisingly good, even if it's just one person narrating the whole thing. The pixel art is beautiful as well. It's a great first effort from a new team and I hope they make something similar, fixing what they've learned from this game.

Juego con mucho potencial, y lo disfrute. El problema es que tiene muchos bugs y no lo andan parcheando. Así que a mi pesar por ahora no puedo recomendarlo.

This game is overflowing with charm. I love the stealth system, its an floor is lava game. The narrator is fun to listen to as well. I think the gameplay movement is a lot of fun and the visuals are gorgeous.

Honestly between the distracting narration, poor exploration, limited mechanics, and inane sidequests, this was a case of needed more time in the oven. Don't feel like sticking around to see all the bugs everyone is struggling with since the devs abandoned the game.

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.

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.

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

Got stuck in the wall when using the elevator, checkpoint put me back a long way. Shame, cause it could be decent.