Duskfade review: A heartfelt PS2-era homage on Nintendo Switch 2

Duskfade review: A heartfelt PS2-era homage on Nintendo Switch 2 Duskfade is a third-person action-adventure title for the Nintendo Switch 2 that leans heavily on the design language of early-2000s 3D console adventures. The indie effort centers on two unlikely heroes and their attempt to free a village from an encroaching darkness. The game combines platforming, exploration and combat across four distinct regions, and earned a 7.5/10 score from the reviewer. Story and characters Players assume the role of Zirian, a human from Tick Town, whose sister Allira is swallowed by a mysterious, monolithic tower that rises and casts the world into shadow. Zirian’s quest to unlock the four chains binding the tower sends him through four surrounding lands. He is joined by Cuckoo, a talkative flying robot created by Allira during the tower catastrophe. The game explores themes of grief and family — Zirian and Allira mourn their grandfather — mixing sincere flashbacks with lighter, sometimes abrasive banter from Cuckoo. In journalistic terms: the narrative functions as a clear homage to PS2-era 3D adventures and largely succeeds in delivering emotional beats alongside playful character interplay. Gameplay and design Platforming is the core loop: cliffs, caves and wooded expanses are populated with rotating platforms, laser traps, water-based puzzles and flipping panels that require timing and spatial reasoning. Each of the four regions is divided into 23 sections, each with a warp point for fast travel. Collectibles include music boxes, cogs, kittens and heart pieces, supported by an in-game checklist for completionists. Combat and boss encounters Combat is brisk, with a basic lock-on system and new combos unlocked as you progress. Standard enemies are straightforward and can feel repetitive, but boss fights stand out for their multi-phase design: arena exchanges give way to time-sensitive puzzle moments where players must activate external mechanisms or endure survival windows to reopen vulnerability. These sequences increase tension and reward situational awareness. Presentation: visuals and audio Duskfade’s art direction favors vibrant palettes and well-composed backdrops that show off the Nintendo Switch 2’s capabilities. Some areas can feel sparsely populated — a consequence of the story’s evacuation premise and low enemy density — and occasional camera issues can create awkward close-ups around corners. The soundtrack is dynamic and well-orchestrated, drawing favourable comparisons to the emotional, layered scores found in other acclaimed indie action titles. Verdict Duskfade is an earnest indie throwback that pays tribute to classics like Ratchet & Clank and Kingdom Hearts while leaning into its own platforming strengths. It’s not without flaws — enemy variety and navigation tools (notably the lack of an in-game map) limit its polish — but the platforming and inventive boss design make it an engaging experience. Overall, the reviewer concluded: “I enjoyed my time with Duskfade. It’s not perfect, but it’s engaging and, importantly, fun,” and assigned a final score of 7.5.