Dandara

 Switch
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 61
  3. Negative: 11 out of 61

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  1. richp
    Feb 24, 2018
    4
    I like the retro style and the movement mechanic is amusing for about an hour but it goes downhill fast.

    The story is nonsense, the level design totally derivative (as are the bosses, the first one is actually M Bison's head!). The game throws cheap enemies at you and puts you in unwinnable positions which is something I can't stand and is inexcusable in a game that borrows the    I like the retro style and the movement mechanic is amusing for about an hour but it goes downhill fast.

    The story is nonsense, the level design totally derivative (as are the bosses, the first one is actually M Bison's head!). The game throws cheap enemies at you and puts you in unwinnable positions which is something I can't stand and is inexcusable in a game that borrows the Salt/Souls mechanic that seems so overused these days.

    I've no idea why it's reviewed so well.    … Expand
  2. DylzIsHonest
    Mar 10, 2018
    3
    It's bad. Don't get it.
    First off, the game is bloody beautiful. The Pixel Art is incredible, smooth and has a colour palette that's inviting and thematic. But it proves to be a social archetype because the moment this gorgeous creature attempts to do anything other than stand there and let us look at it, it gives us a solid reminder as to why it's vastly dumb.
    The movement system is    It's bad. Don't get it.
    First off, the game is bloody beautiful. The Pixel Art is incredible, smooth and has a colour palette that's inviting and thematic. But it proves to be a social archetype because the moment this gorgeous creature attempts to do anything other than stand there and let us look at it, it gives us a solid reminder as to why it's vastly dumb.
    The movement system is clever and the stage transitions are cute, I'll give it that.
    The enemies are basically designed and don't adhere to the theme of the game at all. Eye balls that float, dogs humanoids with spears. Snore.
    The camera rotates depending on where you are in the stage and although that's a cool gimmick now and then, the map doesn't rotate with it. If this was an idea for a difficult level, awesome. But no, it's throughout the entire game, making progression a **** chore and unsatisfying when you FINALLY get to where you need to go, because NOT ONLY is the map and your sense of direction a constant chore but the levels are designed to make the player backtrack through MULTIPLE stages before they can attempt GOING TO THE NEXT LEVEL!
    Let me explain to you how moving should work in a game: You want to go somewhere. You walk towards it. In this game you go through this: Opening the map, looking at the map, looking at the screen, back to the map again, exit the map, move to the area you want to go.
    Imagine you want to go to the kitchen but before you do that you had to open an app on your phone, select the kitchen door, ask for it's permission to go to your kitchen, close the app then go.
    It's not a puzzle it's a goddamn chore.
    I can't nail this on the head enough. The game's attempt at the usual modern gameplay of: "Failed attempt? Alright, start again." with difficult challenges like enemies or platforming challenges like Super Meat Boy, and converts it to opening **** doors. Gee wiz, how **** riveting.

    Do not spend your money on this game.
    Please.    … Expand
  3. ClinOton
    Feb 11, 2021
    0
    I was enjoying this game about 60% thru I believe. ( to be far this game is not a 0/10 perhaps a 7/10 or higher...given my current state of annoyance with the developers and the worst save point I’ve ever experienced in 100s of games beaten 0/10 currently feels right) Went down a pit and essentially landed on a save point in a part of the game that is more frustrating than words and givenI was enjoying this game about 60% thru I believe. ( to be far this game is not a 0/10 perhaps a 7/10 or higher...given my current state of annoyance with the developers and the worst save point I’ve ever experienced in 100s of games beaten 0/10 currently feels right) Went down a pit and essentially landed on a save point in a part of the game that is more frustrating than words and given my characters current status I feel ill equipped. There is no way to go back to a previous save point. I have beaten games such as Super Meat Boy, Super Meat Boy Forever, The End Is Nigh, Never Give Up on hard mode, Celeste, Color Jumper which is a beast of a game, Flat Hero’s gets extremely difficult, Mario Lost levels, Light Fall, The Kings Bird, Splasher, Axiom Verge, ect... I play some difficult games and Dandara is just miserably UNFAIR! So frustrated with this save point set up and how there is no way out of room and you essentially fall on a save point flag you cannot see. Most unfair c r a p I have ever experienced in a game. Angry! So what do I do now? The current set up I am expected to make it thru is too difficult for my skills and sanity and also its the type of difficult that simply is not fun. Just chaos and maybe I will make it out one lucky try. I am not a hack at games. Get good makes sense but this is not fun! This is just a complete waste of time at this point. Start over? Perhaps.… Expand
  4. MedusaMadman77
    Mar 7, 2020
    4
    This game is a bit overrated. It's too difficult for all the wrong reasons. UPDATE: Went back to this and yeah, it's just not fun. I wouldn't drop more than a dollar on this.
  5. pizzanuggs
    Jan 30, 2019
    4
    I find this game totally unplayable.
    I was impressed by the pace displayed in the trailers, as well as the fantastically animated art work, but the final product is about struggling with its awful parameters.
  6. GabFire
    Aug 10, 2020
    2
    Esse jogo é ridículo, por isso que tem para celular, realmente não valeu a pena de eu ter jogado isso.

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Switch Player
    May 18, 2020
    60
    Although it boasts a gorgeous world, a surreal story, and some unique character designs, Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition ultimately fails to capture the freedom, urgency, and sense of exploration offered by other Metroidvania titles.
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  2. COGconnected
    Mar 31, 2020
    83
    There’s not much to dislike about Dandara. It certainly could be more accessible for newbies but any gamer that’s played a Metroidvania before should have an idea of what to expect. What’s unexpected is the totally cool and trippy traversal system. It might take some time to get used to, but it’s very intuitive. Dandara’s sharp level design and enemy encounters are memorable in a genre that is starting to get overcrowded. The story isn’t anything to write home about, but Dandara makes up for it with fun and challenging gameplay. Regardless of your platform of choice, Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition needs to be your next game.
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  3. GamingTrend
    Mar 13, 2020
    95
    Dandara is an excellent game and I can’t believe I haven’t heard people talking about it. Its unique movement is accompanied by an equally unique world, soundtrack, and symbolic story that will fascinate lore nerds. While it’s controls may not support the precision combat asks of you, the Salt is definitely a world worth saving.
    Read full review
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