Dandara

Brazil is not exactly known for its game development scene, but Dandara is an awesome outlier. In my opinion, the best game ever produced by my countryman... you should check it out! It's a metroidvania with a twist in its gameplay, with great lore, setting and superb soundtrack! My only gripe is the short window of Invincibility frames when you get hit: you can get wrecked pretty fast against multiple projectiles!

absolute peak game. soundtrack is undoubtedly one of the best i've ever heard, right up there with undertale, minecraft, and terraria. the story is beautiful if you care to look at it closely, and the game is overall an immensely detailed masterpiece. 10/10.

Good Things
Unique Movement System – Instead of walking or running, Dandara leaps from surface to surface, creating fast-paced traversal that feels fresh and exciting.

Beautiful Pixel Art – The game’s vibrant environments and expressive characters make the world of Salt visually striking.

Deep & Symbolic Lore – Inspired by the historical Afro-Brazilian warrior Dandara, the game’s story is filled with metaphors and hidden meanings.

Expansive World Design – A well-crafted Metroidvania map that rewards exploration with secrets and upgrades.

Atmospheric Soundtrack – Immersive music that enhances the sense of adventure and mystery.

Bad Things
Movement Can Be Challenging – While innovative, the leap-based movement can feel imprecise in combat-heavy sections.

Difficulty Spikes – Some boss fights and enemy encounters require quick reflexes, which might frustrate some players.

Story Isn’t Very Direct – The narrative is abstract, requiring players to interpret the meaning rather than follow a traditional plot.

Limited Guidance – The game doesn’t always give clear direction, leading to moments where players might feel lost.

May Not Appeal to Everyone – The unusual mechanics and vague storytelling might not suit players who prefer conventional action-platformers.

Overall, Dandara: Trials of Fear is a bold, artistic take on the Metroidvania genre that challenges players in new ways. Its unique movement and beautiful world make it memorable, but its difficulty and abstract storytelling might not be for everyone.

a fun little metroidvania. Good music, fun pixel art, and an interesting surreal world. I like the movement; bouncing around the environment. I did end up using the cheats near the end.

I've played this game through Nintendo Switch before and I brought it on steam to leave a review. The game is a very good game... it's just not a game for me. First i love the fact that this game is based of a real life freedom fighter, that being Brazils Dandara Dos Palmares and when i learned tof this i told myself i would finish this game no matter what. When i played it the game for first time the first thing we all notice is the gorgeous pixel art and the second thing is the movement of the game. The movement is probably the the most unique i've seen in a metroidvania the constant leaping from wall to wall is fun at first but quickly grew old to me after a while of playing. When playing through it the first time i really did feel like i was forcing myself to play through the game simply do to fact i just didn't like the movement. But persevered and made my way through the mysterious salt world and listen to its grand soundtrack i couldn't help noting that they really did make this METROIDVANIA i can't tell you how many times i got lost playing this game which is a good thing, you are suppose to explore in games like this. But i do sadley think i kept getting lost do to the games confusing movement system, it wasn't enough to make me stop playing but it did make things harder then it should have been. It's a short game about 4 hours with 3 boss fights so you could do it in afternoon if you have the time. Like i said i love the world but i just couldn't be bothered to play the game again is just left it running for 2 hours so i could pump out this review. Like i said it's a great game and you SHOULD PLAY IT, but it's just not game for me and i'm probably never going to replay it. Final Score 7.5/10 Final Grade 73/100 [Graphics = 20/20. Music =15/20. Gameplay 10/20. Story 13/20. Replayability 5/20.

This game is genuinely cool. The most unique platformer I have ever played, all due to not giving the player to walk. Instead you dart from platform to platform like a ninja, hurling energy bolts like an anime character.
The world blends the familar with the fantastic and even alien, as you navigate escherian hallways and coridors that still sell the concept of a town, a forest, a nightmare, and an area beyond time.
The combat design reminds me of classic zelda enemy design, enemies are strongly patterned and formulaic, but the brilliance is in how each room and encounter is designed such that you are encouraged to use your myriad of abilities according to the situation. Combined with the sheer amount of environmental puzzles, everything Dandara is given feels useful, feels like it has deliberate strengths and usecases.
All in all, its a very satisfying game that combines bold design risks with quality execution. A must play for anyone that is a fan of metroidvanias, or wants to play something unique.

A friend of mine recommended this game for me, It's a very enjoyable experience with a great soundtrack to boot.