Dust An Elysian Tail (XBLA)

                         

 

Dust: An Elysian Tail is a game that many things well, but nothing really shines. This provides a very entertaining blend of action, platforming and puzzles but not one of the kind that long in our collective memory will remain seated.

Dust wakes up in a forest and does not know who he is or what he's doing there. Then suddenly a sword comes floating around called Aharah, followed by the guard of the sword, Fidget. The rest of the game you'll especially have many conversations with both characters, while trying to figure out who you are and how to save the world. The story is not very strong and therefore it is a pity that so much emphasis is put on. All calls are recorded and youroften talking for a long time. The voice acting is well done but an abundance of calls gets the momentum out off the game.


Outside the lengthy conversations, there is a great pace in Dust. The game is a series of action platforming and puzzles. The controls are simple and accurate, making navigation very fast going. The fight goes very smoothly. With the X and Y button you get easily some impressive combos on the screen. Dust has access to a number of normal attacks which he swings his sword. With the Y button, he can run the sword and then Fidget look. It may take a few lousy shooting projectiles, but with Bladestorm of Dust projectiles that can grow into an amazing big attack. This is necessary to maximize combos to create. It works great and the chaos that you place on your screen release is delicious.

 The big problem lies, However the combos are  proving their usefulness on the highest difficulty . Dust on the normal difficulty only in the beginning is difficult. Later you will only have little difficulty enemies Bob to explain. Most opponents after two strokes of the sword often the dupe and because of the smooth control you myself but little damage. Some opponents however, you will need to repel their attacks. You do that by about the same time to attack and then the X button and hold. In this way, shoot the enemy, which then open to a huge amount of damage. The immune system is a bit too easily and certainly in later moments you usually such an enemy with a blow off. It is entertaining, but you will very easily through the levels. Re visiting locations is therefore somewhat less interesting, because they are even easier. That is something the entire Metroid-Vania concept a little undermining.


The RPG element Dust is reflected in the progress of your character and the amount of loot you can find. The leveling is fast and delivers some really short time an enormous increase of skills. Something gradual leveling was no luxury before. The stuff you find are largely divided into different categories. You will find a lot of healing items, you will find crafting materials and find blueprints. To blueprints to use crafting materials you need. If you find that once, you can also sell it to a shop. Then you do not actually have to go grind, because if you wait, the shop she is back in stock. Easy does it, but it's a nice way to eliminate redundant operations.

conclusion

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Dust is a visually stunning and gameplay wise very entertaining game, but just too many shortcomings to be truly a classic to grow.



Pros:

- Beautiful environments
- Amusing gameplay
- Great value for money with between ten and fifteen hours of gameplay



Cons:

- Too little challenge