The Siege and the Sandfox

The Siege and the Sandfox is a unique combination of metroidvania and stealth, boasting some great ideas, but the poor execution of several of its elements results in a rather gritty mix.

A old-skool minded metroidvania, unhampered by combat, The Siege and the Sandfox excels in its stealthy confines, creating a dark and masterful labyrinth to explore to your heart's content, but often because you are frustratingly lost.

To appreciate The Siege and the Sandfox, you need to keep in mind that almost everything in it is focused on building atmosphere and narrative and stealth gameplay. The “stealthvania” approach is legitimate, but the simple mechanics and laborious navigation through the levels do not contribute to making its execution worthwhile. I recommend it to those who want to appreciate beautiful aesthetics and immerse themselves in a fantasy from the Arabian Nights while listening to a lovely narrator who accompanies each step of the journey.

The Siege and the Sandfox makes a strong first impression with its intriguing premise and stellar presentation, and with a few well-aimed updates Cardboard Sword's project could truly shine. However, there are currently too many rough edges holding it back. Tighter and more responsive controls would better support the game’s acrobatic nature without compromising its identity, while smarter and more consistent AI would make the stealth elements far more engaging, though we're not entirely sold on their integration to begin with. Still, if the concept piques your interest, there’s no reason not to give this “stealthvania” a shot, just be ready to accept a few trade-offs.