Dandara

The game is a little fetch-questy in the late game when it comes to fulfiling the conditions for the true ending, but other than that this is a beautiful and fun game. The art and music are gorgeous and the mechanics and lore are inspired. I started and finished this right after the 2024 election so playing a game where you fight as the literal avatar of creative freedom against an oppressive regime really hit for me and cemented that freedom and art and expression are something that's always worth fighting for. 8.5/10

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.

Fantastic and unique metroidvania! The difficulty of the final boss in particular is quite the mountain to overcome relative to the rest of the game. I'm not sure I ever still *quite* felt like it was second-nature to move around, but I definitely did get mostly used to it.

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

A brilliant take on a platformer that can be easily played with a touch screen. Gorgeous pixel art, wonderful soundtrack and fascinating world and story. Perfectly captures the feel of being an anime fighter. Leaping and shooting is exhilarating.

Dandara is one of the most original Metroidvanias I ever played. Rather than walking and jumping, like traditional platformers, you leap from one surface to the next. The uniqueness of the transversal is executed with near perfection.
As is the case with any Metroidvania, you gain new abilities that will give you access to new areas. While moving from one area to the next, you will encounter boss battles that are very satisfying to battle, as they have patterns that you need to learn.
As for the story, it's easily the weakest aspect of the game. Everything is symbolic and very cryptic. I simply don't care to turn myself into a Charlie Day meme to figure out what's going on.
Story aside, the game is a must play for any Metroidvania fan. Dandara is regularly on sale for less than $5, and at that price, the game is a steal.