Review | Duskfade: ‘Time Well Spent’ (PC)

Duskfade transported me straight back to the PlayStation 2 era, channelling action-platformers like Kingdom Hearts and Jak and Daxter. Its sprawling worlds, heartfelt story and seemingly endless collectables constantly gave me another reason to keep exploring.

*Nothing like a mechanical sidekick for a classic adventure!*

Duskfade proudly wears those inspirations on its sleeve, combining fluid movement, energetic battles and just enough jank to recreate the magic and frustration of the era. With the Minutero sword in hand and the clock already ticking, the game quickly won me over.

Growing Up Against the Clock

Duskfade begins after a catastrophic explosion plunges the world into eternal night. Zirian and his mechanical companion Cuckoo set out to rescue his sister, Allira, and restore the light. It is a simple setup, but one that gives way to a heartfelt coming-of-age journey, as Zirian confronts the emotional hurdles standing between him and those he loves.

It’s not an overly complicated narrative, but watching Zirian grow from a wide-eyed adventurer into someone brave and determined gave the story a sweetness that kept me invested.

Always on the Move

Movement is one of Duskfade’s biggest strengths, even if it does not always stick the landing. Double jumps, dodge rolls, and simple combat felt smooth from the outset, and it wasn’t long before I was hunting down secret chests, golden gems, and optional minibosses.

*Platforming long distances was so much fun.*

Each sprawling level feels more like a miniature world than a quick platforming stage, often taking hours to explore. With no minimap or traditional quest markers, you have to pay extra attention to dialogue, cutscenes and environmental clues. I occasionally struggled to find the main path, though golden chains and bells usually pointed me back in the right direction.

Not every move kept perfect time though. Zirian’s floaty jump made crossing large gaps satisfying, but precise platforming could be unreliable, while collapsing platforms and rotating laser traps caused some frustratingly cheap deaths.

Rail grinding was the biggest disappointment, because of its awkward controls, and got to the point where I was dreading every rail section. But even with some rough edges, moving through Duskfade remained enjoyable enough to keep me engaged.

Back to Tick Town

After all that adventuring, returning to Tick Town became a welcome part of Duskfade’s rhythm. I was impressed by the hub’s scale, with quirky characters, useful shops, and the imposing Clock Tower looming overhead. Its deep blues and glowing lights perfectly capture the endless night, and returning to find the town changed was a good way to give a sense of progress.

Returning home with all my loot made every trip back to Tick Town feel rewarding. Gear and crystals can be traded with the Traveler for new skills, Echoes revealel glimpses of the world’s past, and catching cloud kitties carrying balls of yarn unlocks new outfits from Tailord.

A Well-Timed Walloping

Combat became one of my favourite parts of Duskfade, because every hit felt satisfying. Light and heavy attacks create simple two-button combos, while a perfectly timed dodge slows down enemies and gives you an opening to rush back in. Locking onto larger foes helped me read their attacks and enjoy the simple pleasure of repeatedly whacking them with my Minutero.

Cuckoo’s abilities provide more strategy against tougher enemies, particularly when relying on the same sword combo isn’t cutting it. Calling on him at the right moment stunned enemies and gave me some much-needed breathing room. Upgrading the Minutero with gadgets also keeps battles from becoming repetitive; firing a Chronoblast across the arena let me deal damage from a distance, making me feel far more in control of how I approached each fight.

*Platforming was a big part of the boss battles.*

Boss battles were where everything came together for me. I loved working out when to dodge, grapple or attack as the arena changed around me. One early boss flooded the room with lava, forcing me onto rocks or swinging bwteeen grapple, before I could leap back down and deliver a good old-fashioned walloping.

Clockwork Beauty

Duskfade’s art direction is reminiscent of a PlayStation 2-era adventure, with every area themed around clocks, light and time. The Celestial Kingdom was my favourite, its deep orange and purple skies making every leap across the clouds feel breathtaking. Shimmering lighting constantly drew my eyes towards the next path, while smooth PC performance ensured the platforming and combat kept pace.

*The Celestial Kingdom was breathtaking!*

The soundtrack also gives each location its own identity; from Tick Town’s haunting melodies, to the soaring sounds of the fiery regions. Strong voice performances also bring warmth to the adventure, particularly through Zirian and Cuckoo’s playful banter as their friendship grows.

A Timeless Throwback

Duskfade was an exhilarating journey from beginning to end, delivering the kind of action-platforming adventure I have sorely missed. Its movement, combat, and collectables constantly pulled me forward, while Zirian’s growth made him a hero worth rooting for.

Some lengthy levels and awkward platforming moments tested my patience, but they never stopped me from wanting to see what waited around the next corner. Duskfade understands what made the PlayStation 2 era special, then gives those ideas enough heart and polish to feel at home in 2026. Duskfade is an adventure worth making time for.