Dust: An Elysian Tail (Video Game Review) | BioGamer Girl

" Summer of Arcade 2012 has featured a stacked lineup of titles that have all managed to bring something special to Xbox LIVE Arcade and leave a lasting impression on the BioGamer Girl staff. It's sad to have to see the promotion come to an end, but it seems Microsoft was saving their best for last with Dust: An Elysian Tail. Dust: An Elysian Tail combines side-scrolling action RPG gameplay that anyone familiar with the Castlevania series will instantly recognize with one of the best looking art styles to hit the downloadable marketplace for any system. The game is well worth your money, so hopefully, you haven't completely exhausted your Microsoft Points account on the month's other Summer of Arcade titles." -BioGamer Girl

[TifaLockheart]

Awesome!

[SilentNegotiator]

I don't know.....from all the gameplay I've seen, it doesn't look challenging at all. The combat could be tighter.

It's always nice to see a game made by a single person, but I think it's clouding the way top gamer sites like "pixelatedsausage.com& ;quo t;, "BioGRRRRRRLGamer.com& ;quo t;, "leadexample.net" are judging this game with their 9s and 10s....

[amandadyar]

The game actually contains four difficulty settings, and while playing through the game on Normal isn't too challenging, the other difficulties will give even seasoned action fans a tough time.

[JellyJelly]

@SilentNegotiator - If this was on PSN you would be all over it. Your fanboy is showing.

And look at all the sad fanboys disagreeing with people for being excited about an XBLA exclusive. Grow up.

[SilentNegotiator]

You'll never see me eat up hype for over-rated DL titles on ANY platform. When you see me praise that over-rated "Journey" game, then you can claim what you're claiming, Jelly.

The state of "indie" games is atrocious. You could give some of these 'journalists' a BAD game and they would love it, granted you tell them that it's an "indie game"

This game has particularly unimpressive combat that tries to be impressive by simply making the player fast.

[humbleopinion]

SilentNegotiator, did you actually play the game before declaring it's not challenging? Or read any review about it saying that?

You talked about Jurney as well, and while I can agree that it wasn't super-challenging - it wasn't the purpose of the game to be challenging in the first place - it was a game about exploration.

But if you read the Dust reviews in Metacritic (haven't played it myself), they all claim the exact opposite of what you say (even the sole negative review there): Dust's biggest strength is the exremely tight and deep combat system - one that can be as challenging as the top hack&slashers in the market (one review even mentions DMC and Bayonetta).
Here's what they have to say about the combat:
"There is no element of Dust: An Elysian Tail that has a negative, from the jaw dropping visuals, to the excellent writing, through to the seamless combat and action."
"On harder difficulties, Save Points don’t heal you as much, or at all, which means that you have to conserve your items and food to be able to survive"
"it all just feels ridiculously fun and responsive"
"this XBLA downloadable’s combat, depth, and atmosphere are all in the same league of quality as Bastion and Shadow Complex"
" This gratifying combat is blended masterfully into a Metroidvania-style world, where exploration is rewarded with hidden items and new abilities."
"Dust is as challenging as you want it to be: On Normal, you can see most of the content (with some treasure-hunting backtracking) in around 12 hours, while on Hardcore, every single encounter becomes a desperate fight for survival"
"It's impressive how the fighting manages to be so fast yet never feels like it's overloading the player's brain, but even more remarkable is how tight the gameplay feels."
"making combat feel fluid the moment you jump in"
"a combat engine as developed as modern-day brawlers like Bayonetta and Devil May Cry. The relatively simple three button combo system hides depth, integrating parries, throws, and magical attacks. Rather than a basic attack-dodge-attack rotation, Dust encourages fluidity and consistency, rewarding lengthy, uninterrupted combos with bonus experience."
"Stabbing, slicing, and electrocuting is Dust’s bread and butter. The game is never better than when you have a fully powered-up protagonist taking on legions of sword fodder. "

So there you go, it seems to me you can rest your claim. In a year where the XBLA service spews out some of the most hardcore and challenging games this generation (Spelunky, Trials Revolution, Virtua Fighter, Sine Mora) - Dust proves to be right up there with a very solid combat system.

[coolbeans]

". . .from all the gameplay I've SEEN, it doesn't LOOK challenging at all. The combat COULD be tighter."

You tell us your experience with the game is limited to what you've seen...yet go on to state what the developer 'could' improve upon, as if already playing it?

Edit:

"This game has particularly unimpressive combat that tries to be impressive by simply making the player fast."

And now we've assumed the role of reviewing the entire game before it's even been released. Well done.

[amandadyar]

Great title with a ton of content. You can't beat the $15 price tag for such a high quality game with well over 20 hours of gameplay.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

This is like the 4th or 5thg 10 I saw so far no joke.

[aviator189]

Definitely getting this for sure. Nice game to finish the summer with before classes start again.

[blue7_7]

Wow this game looked great but seeing the reviews which the majority are 10's and 9's I"m definitely getting it now.

[TheCatsMeow]

Ever since I saw the Summer of Arcade line up of games, I immediately added 1600 points to my account, holding out for this game until it will be released. I love the way the characters and art style looks. Its gonna be a beautiful game.

Add me on Xbox live :3
GT: A fat lazy cat

[amandadyar]

IMO this is one of the best looking downloadable titles I've ever seen. The artistic style is amazing and one of the biggest draws for it. This one took me for a surprise, but it is my favorite from the Summer of Arcade promotion.

[no_more_heroes]

Looks and sounds like something right up my alley. Wish I had funds to spend, I'd definitely get this on Wednesday.

[HammadTheBeast]

Looks cool, I'm on PS3 so can't play it, but whatever, still playing Journey.

[MySwordIsHeavenly]

I have both consoles.

If you ever get the chance to play Dust, don't expect Journey. Dust is a fantastic title, but it's not a full-on experience like Journey.

[Blastoise]

This is the same website that gave "Summer Stars 2012" a 10 out of 10 too by the way. Just a heads up

[kamakaz3md]

reminds me of black and white i think it was called made by peter molanuex, i dont know how to spell his name, but the game looks kinda like it to me

[MySwordIsHeavenly]

Are you sure you're not thinking of From Dust?

[BringingTheThunder]

wow, over 500 google +1's.

[shammgod]

Game looks boring and repetative in gameplay vids....but the reviews are good. Weird

[L-a-i-n]

The game looks pretty good

[SonyNGP]

Been waiting a couple of years for this one. It's almost here :D

[Cueil]

yes... remember first seeing in a couple of years ago... been waiting for it since