Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams

 Wii U
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Cubed3
    Sep 1, 2013
    90
    Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams is an original, fun and challenging platformer with game mechanics that won't be found in any other 2D platformer.
  2. Nintendo Life
    Sep 1, 2013
    80
    The difficulty level and technical issues aside, the game triumphs in what it aims to do; the Giana Sisters franchise may have started out as an uninspired rip-off of Super Mario Bros., but this latest effort very much proves that it has become a unique, fascinating and rewarding experience in its own right.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 37
  3. Negative: 5 out of 37
  1. ricklongo
    Sep 16, 2013
    7
    In a surprising turn of events for a series that started out as a shameless Super Mario Bros. clone, Giana Sister: Twisted Dreams is one ofIn a surprising turn of events for a series that started out as a shameless Super Mario Bros. clone, Giana Sister: Twisted Dreams is one of the most unique sidescrollers I've played in a long time.

    You'll play as two separate versions of the title character: Punk Giana can transform into a fireball to destroy enemies and reach high places, whereas Cute Giana has a spinning helicopter jump not unlike Dixie Kong's ability in the Donkey Kong Country series. You switch between the two at the simple press of a button in order to solve puzzles and overcome insanely challenging platforming levels; as you do so, the world around you also changes from a lush utopia to a nightmarish wasteland. It's all very easy on the eyes, with superb graphics that transform seamlessly. The music is another highlight, with memorable tunes that switch from poppy versions (on Cute Giana segments) to throbbing heavy metal arrangements (for Punk Giana). An important complaint is the lack of richer tone diversity bewteeen the game's worlds; as beautiful as the graphics are, they end up blending together, which dampens the sense of progression a bit.

    As I hinted above, Twisted Dreams is a very, very unforgiving platformer, and as such it's definitely not a game for the weak-willed. The level design is extremely tight, challenging both your puzzle-solving skills and your fast-action reflexes in breathtaking fashion. Segments often require you to time your character switch at precisely the right moment in order to succeed.

    To get 100% on a stage, you need to achieve three goals: collect a majority of the small gems located throughout the level, locate and collect all of the big crystals (which also unlock art in the game's gallery), and die as few times as possible. The dying limitation is a fine way to offer some balance to the fact that you have unlimited lives, but it can become annoying pretty fast thanks to the sheer lenght of the stages, especially given the enourmous challenges most of them offer. A shorter median stage lenght would not only make the game more accessible to beginners in the genre, but also make replaying the levels (something you will absolutely HAVE to do in order to fully complete each of them) feel less of a chore.

    While the flaws do hinder the enjoyment from time to time, the game is still gonna be quite entertaining for platform masochists such as myself. Fully completing one of Twisted Dreams's hellishly difficult stages is a great feeling. There are plenty of good ideas on display here, and it definitely feels like more can be done with the world-switching mechanic. Hopefully, if we ever get a sequel, the designers can go the distance to transform a pretty good game into an amazing one.

    Rating: 7.5 (rounded up)    … Full Review »
  2. FrankoAmmo
    Mar 26, 2018
    8
    I love platformers and I ‘‘fell’’ on this game while searching for ‘‘best wii u platformer’’ on the Internet. I was shocked by this game inI love platformers and I ‘‘fell’’ on this game while searching for ‘‘best wii u platformer’’ on the Internet. I was shocked by this game in the sense that I was not expecting much or a challenge, but I was wrong. It is a well done game all around, but it is not perfect obviously. There are several nice mechanics, the music is very good and the level design is good in general. The enemies were not that great, but the bosses were quite good! The levels are a little long, but there are several checkpoints available. I like when there are 2 paths you can choose from in a level, but when it is well done like this game (not like Freedom Planet or Sonic Mania). You can switch between 2 characters for different abilities. Anybody who likes platformer games should definitely try this one! 8 out of 10 in my book.

    PS I cannot believe I had never heard about that game before 3 months ago.    … Full Review »
  3. ernie76
    May 5, 2014
    10
    This is what Jump and Run should look,Sound and feel like. A wonderfull Game and a must have for everyone.
    Its hard at the end but not    This is what Jump and Run should look,Sound and feel like. A wonderfull Game and a must have for everyone.
    Its hard at the end but not unfair. The OST alone ist worth listening !!!
    Dont Read! go an get it! Collect all the Diamonds....    … Full Review »
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