DNF Duel

 PlayStation 5
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. God is a Geek
    Jun 28, 2022
    DNF Duel is an extremely welcoming fighting game that I’d recommend to genre veterans and newcomers alike. The battles are tense, the visuals are out of this world and the inputs and tutorials make it really easy to pick up and play. I never thought I’d truly get into this genre of video game, but DNF Duel managed to drag me into it and I couldn’t be happier. [Review in Progress]
  2. Push Square
    Jun 28, 2022
    DNF Duel is an approachable, explosive fighting game. Although it doesn't quite stand out from the crowd in terms of having an instantly recognisable style, it's great fun to actually play. Crazy combos, a cool character roster, and a nice selection of game modes makes for an appealing package. Once we've been able to put the title's online offerings to the test, we'll be updating this review with a score and additional details.

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2022

User Reviews

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User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 5 out of 15
  1. Kirbyfan45
    Feb 25, 2023
    2
    Graphics can only take you so far in games. And this is a perfect example. Yes, it looks fantastic and is super smooth, but if the gameplayGraphics can only take you so far in games. And this is a perfect example. Yes, it looks fantastic and is super smooth, but if the gameplay falls flat, it becomes a waste of eye candy. And that is what DNF Duel is. A waste. It could have been good, but there were some just stupid decisions made. Like the one button specials, meaning you're limited to 4 special moves. One of them being a one button invincible DP. On top of that, the game is so set on these one button specials that even using the command input sit provides (Where the only benefit is waiting less for meter to recharge) can only be done via the special button, so you don't even get special move strengths! AND ON TOP OF THAT, despite them being normal ass special moves, they still require meter. I would understand if they were EX moves, but they're not. That makes no sense, why should I be locked out of playing the game for playing the game? Not that you could do much with them because the hitstun decay is so strict that you need full setups just to do basic BnBs, trying to do combos normally has a 90% chance of it prematurely ending. On top of that, the balance is piss poor. Why do characters have moves that basically cover the entire screen? Why is it that there is a character with a move that keeps you in block for 5 seconds and beats guard cancel? Why was there not a single nerf done in the patch?! Some of this would be excused if the combat engine at least gave you options to combat this, but besides a dodge roll, you get nothing. Not even an air dash, which would have been really useful against those long moves. The game doesn't even give you the benefit of air blocking, in a game where moves are as tall as the screen. And if you're out of meter, you can't do a guard cancel, which means you will get hit with a guard break because even though this was developed by a team who has made multiple games with a pushblock, this game doesn't have pushblocking. Nothing about this game is fun in any way, it's an exercise in frustration that gets overhyped because of how people view graphics in games as the be all end all. About the only good thing I can say about this game is that it has rollback netcode, but there are so many better rollback games you can play. Hell, I would rather play a delay based netcode game than this trash!
    Recap: Over simplified engine and missing mechanics lead to a frustrating game that shows the developers did not care in anyway, and how exploitable the FGC can be    … Full Review »
  2. Jt0429
    Jun 29, 2022
    8
    Good-
    Outstanding graphics and audio across the board. Fun and diverse roster of characters. The survival mode is incredibly addictive.    Good-
    Outstanding graphics and audio across the board. Fun and diverse roster of characters. The survival mode is incredibly addictive.

    Bad-
    Almost no customization hurts the experience. Not as deep or complex as many hardcore 2D fighting fans would like.

    Thoughts-
    With remarkably digestible combat for the genre and more unrestricted approach to where and when you can land your attacks than most of its contemporaries, DNF Duel could prove to be somewhat divisive, especially down the road once all of its nooks and crannies have been thoroughly explored by the masses. But as with any fighting game, it really comes down to the variety, personality, and execution of its ideas – old hat or not. DNF Duel walks that dangerous tightrope between accessibility and longevity extremely well, and while that might not be a balancing act some fighting fans are even interested in, it certainly is a space worth exploring, especially if it’s going to be done this well.    … Full Review »
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