Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition

Critic reviews

• MMiniReview

  SugarRigby · Apr 04, 2021

  9.0

  Dandara is a 2D metroidvania platformer with a truly unique control mechanic and a detailed pixel-art world full of Brazillian references. Playing as Dandara, a Brazilian slave warrior, our main quest is to defend this trippy world from the "Oppression" and free the spirits that live here.

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• CCOGconnected

  Anthony Bacchus · Mar 31, 2020

  8.3

  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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• PNPure Nintendo

  Justin Sharp · Mar 26, 2018

  6.0

  In the end, I didn’t enjoy my time with Dandara. The controls, while unique, just didn’t work well for me–especially in combat. Dandara wants players to explore but the incentive just wasn’t there. If you’re looking for a Metroidvania with a unique control experience and a great art styles, Dandara might fit that bill. Otherwise, I’d pass on this otherwise beautiful game.

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• GSGame Skinny

  Jeffrey Rousseau · Mar 01, 2018

  9.0

  Playing Dandara is a special experience. It feels trippy and empowering all at once. Its imagery and themes are handled subtly. It never feels as if it's too much. Enemies recognize Dandara as a threat and allies see her as a symbol of hope. The game is smooth and well executed from start to finish. João Brant and Lucas Mattos of Long Hat House really out did themselves. Now, I want to express this game's significance to me in particular.

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• DSDual Shockers

  Lou Contaldi · Feb 18, 2018

  7.5

  Dandara is more than the average Metroidvania and is a game worth your time. Although its unique stop-and-go gameplay may have you stumbling at first, movement turns into an art form as you get accustomed to it. And though not everything about Dandara stands out, the titular character is executed so masterfully it is hard not to be impressed with the folk-lore based heroine.

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• WTWay Too Many Games

  Leo Faria · Feb 14, 2018

  6.5

  I wanted to like Dandara more than I actually did. Not only are its art style and themes awesome, full of references to Brazilian history and older pop culture, but the game actually boasted very original gameplay elements as well. Sadly, those gameplay elements, coupled with the game’s labyrinthine design and a severly punishing difficulty level, make Dandara an occasionally frustrating experience. It’s a decent game, but it can be really infuriating at times.

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