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. WereSuricat
    Feb 7, 2018
    10
    wow very cool game. never saw this game bedore its release ;) just love metroid style game, But this game go beyond with a full new way to play ... never on ur feet , no floor , no top ;) !! very cool concept !! and on switch its a dream come true. Perfect game to play on the way !!!
  2. fabiorogeryo86
    Feb 7, 2018
    9
    Dandara is a beautiful game. The soundtrack is satisfactory and the game desing is very interesting. At first you get a little confused with the controls, but once you learn it becomes easy. The game is inspired by brazilian culture and this is very cool. I played for two hours and wanted to play more.
    The game is perfect to be played on the Nintendo Switch.
  3. ScreenScraggy22
    Feb 19, 2018
    9
    This has honestly been the first metroidvania I’ve ever played, so I couldn’t compare it to any other of the same genre. I can say it as a very great game. The controls did feel weird and clunky at first but the more I played the more natural and easy the controls felt. The graphics are a beautifully done pixel art with great design. The soundtrack is actually one of the best I’ve everThis has honestly been the first metroidvania I’ve ever played, so I couldn’t compare it to any other of the same genre. I can say it as a very great game. The controls did feel weird and clunky at first but the more I played the more natural and easy the controls felt. The graphics are a beautifully done pixel art with great design. The soundtrack is actually one of the best I’ve ever heard. The level designs are great and the action is fun and well executed. Fantastic and very well polished game.… Expand
  4. RafaRice
    Jan 20, 2021
    10
    Dandara is an affordable option for players who are looking for a challenging metroidvania with a twist.
  5. Antharas
    Feb 8, 2018
    9
    Very good design game, nice soundtrack. metroid styles with some bonus. The developers wants to put some Art real design inside the game.
  6. danimic
    Feb 6, 2018
    9
    Creative controls, nice graphics and very good soundtrack.
    The controls seems weird at first but turn in to second nature after some practice.
    A very good achievement for a first game!
  7. robertomarin
    Jul 12, 2018
    10
    you start the game and you don't realize how close to one of the best gaming experiences you are.

    the games looks ok at the beginning but it grows as you level up. the levels are really challenging and the open world experience is well tuned. not for gamers that are used to tutorials inside the game, think on super metroid with a very creative – not fool like other clones –    you start the game and you don't realize how close to one of the best gaming experiences you are.

    the games looks ok at the beginning but it grows as you level up.

    the levels are really challenging and the open world experience is well tuned.

    not for gamers that are used to tutorials inside the game, think on super metroid with a very creative – not fool like other clones – environment and playability.

    a must play for nintendo lovers.    … Expand
  8. Olhur
    Feb 17, 2018
    8
    The game charms with its cryptic world of few words, appealing art and music that will haunt you (and I would give the main theme as a great example of that). What would be a part of your love-hate relationship is the learning curve of the movement / fighting mechanics, which requires a lot of patience and be willing to sacrifice your good mood for the purpose of postponed satisfaction.The game charms with its cryptic world of few words, appealing art and music that will haunt you (and I would give the main theme as a great example of that). What would be a part of your love-hate relationship is the learning curve of the movement / fighting mechanics, which requires a lot of patience and be willing to sacrifice your good mood for the purpose of postponed satisfaction. But trust me, it is so much worth it.… Expand
  9. friggityfrank
    Feb 6, 2018
    9
    There are very few times I'll see a game and jump to buy it before reading any reviews first, and this was one of those times that most certainly paid off. Dandara was an awesome experience from start to finish. The gameplay, art, and music were all incredibly interesting and beautiful to boot. So much of the game carries a sense of serenity to it, and that atmosphere really brings homeThere are very few times I'll see a game and jump to buy it before reading any reviews first, and this was one of those times that most certainly paid off. Dandara was an awesome experience from start to finish. The gameplay, art, and music were all incredibly interesting and beautiful to boot. So much of the game carries a sense of serenity to it, and that atmosphere really brings home the story.

    Dandara (the player), enters the world of 'Salt' to free it from oppression. Its a pretty simple concept that fittingly pulls from the story of the actual Dandara, an Afro-Brazillian warrior who fought against slavery in the late 1600s. At several points throughout the game, the player will find themselves helping and freeing individuals from the control of oppression. While the story isn't super relevant to why this game is so good, its refreshing to see that it doesn't get lost just after the introduction to the game like some others have done.

    As far as gameplay goes, it is unique, challenging, and most importantly very enjoyable. Movement is restricted to jumping from white surface to white surface. Oh, did I mention the movement revolves around the fact there isn't any "gravity"? There is no definitive "up" or "down" in the game, and you'll often be met by the room rotating to fit your position. It can feel a little weird at times, but it feels seamless once you're used to it. The game also gives a sort of Dark Souls vibe. Not necessarily in difficulty, but with how checkpoints in it work. Every time you reach one and use it, that checkpoint will be where you respawn upon death. This is also where you'll be leveling up, as enemies drop "Essence of the Salt" which acts as sou- I mean exp. Also, everything you killed comes back. Sweet. Because of this, dying a fair distance from the last checkpoint can be pretty punishing. Combine this with rooms swarming with enemies, and you'll usually feel challenged throughout.

    While definitely proving to be difficult throughout the game, I will say that about 1/3 of the way through I felt a MASSIVE spike present itself. Hazards were fairly present leading up to this point, but the degree to which they increased felt almost unfair. Maybe I simply blitzed through too much of the game, but a welcome challenge quickly turned into frustration and more than one mental break to go guzzle down some ice cream. Once I got past this point though, the difficulty felt like it balanced out again.

    Another point to make about difficulty in this game is the map. While reading it, you'll find that the game doesn't pause and that there IS a definitive "up" and "down". I didn't find much issue in this, but needing to figure out your orientation relative to the map may be a struggle for some. It gave a sense of pressure if you decided to open it up with enemies present; Attempting to figure out where to go next while needing to do some quick thinking to find WHERE exactly that was.

    Overall, this game proved to be a very enjoyable and satisfying experience. I wish there were more boss fights as they were my personal favorite part of the game, but the enjoyment for most will come from the unique platforming and RPG elements that are usually absent from some other platformers.

    If you like 2d platformers, a sense of difficulty, and are down to play something that stands out from the rest of the crowd, definitely play Dandara. You won't regret it as long as you have some comfort food to get you through the rough parts.    … Expand
  10. TangoFan
    Feb 7, 2018
    10
    Só tenho uma coisa a dizer: Os neo-liberais piram!!!! ; ) jogo nota 9, to dando 10 pra fortalecer a galera do brasil......___......._____
  11. bennyslen
    Mar 1, 2018
    8
    Dandara is good

    Pro - I like the way she moves, it takes a while to get used to, but once you do you feel happy with the results - I like the soundtrack, even though there's not much variety - The Art is wonderful - Boss battles are a huge good point, all of them were nice and different. - The atmosphere of the game is incredible and weird - The progression system is good Cons    Dandara is good

    Pro
    - I like the way she moves, it takes a while to get used to, but once you do you feel happy with the results
    - I like the soundtrack, even though there's not much variety
    - The Art is wonderful
    - Boss battles are a huge good point, all of them were nice and different.
    - The atmosphere of the game is incredible and weird
    - The progression system is good

    Cons
    - I wish the story was as good as the environment is, but the story is xtremely simple.
    - The way she moves may and how hard the game is may be frustrating sometimes
    - The game is xtremely short    … Expand
  12. Reed618
    Aug 15, 2018
    9
    I saw some trailers for this leading up to its release and went in with high hopes. I most certainly wasn't disappointed.
    This may not be the prettiest game around but it's a hell of a lot of fun. A really unique and well designed movement system and a building sense of tension as you explore levels knowing that you could lose all of your acquired salt at any moment.
    Beating the final    I saw some trailers for this leading up to its release and went in with high hopes. I most certainly wasn't disappointed.
    This may not be the prettiest game around but it's a hell of a lot of fun. A really unique and well designed movement system and a building sense of tension as you explore levels knowing that you could lose all of your acquired salt at any moment.
    Beating the final boss with just one health bar left was really epic as well.
    I gave it a 9 instead of a 10 as there's very little story and the visuals, while nice, aren't going to blow you away. Still, I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for a unique take on the metroidvania genre.    … Expand
  13. Pachuli1981
    Oct 27, 2019
    9
    Un excelente metroidvania con una manera de desplazarse y una estética que lo hace único.
  14. Samcelot
    Apr 23, 2020
    9
    Dandara is a must have. If you already played this game on a different platform beware, the switch controls do not make this easy. However the look and style of this game is right at home on the Nintendo console. I absolutely loved this game! Though I burned through the story in a matter of two days I honestly feel like this is a game that deserved to be re-played, and not just forDandara is a must have. If you already played this game on a different platform beware, the switch controls do not make this easy. However the look and style of this game is right at home on the Nintendo console. I absolutely loved this game! Though I burned through the story in a matter of two days I honestly feel like this is a game that deserved to be re-played, and not just for completionists. This games artwork, with its subtle hints to Brazilian mythology and not so subtle references to colonialism, are absolutely intriguing. We all expect a entertaining couple of hours from Raw Fury, but I’m more interested in seeing what Long Hat House might develop in the future.… Expand

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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