Dandara is a Creation of uniquely swift movement mechanics, quick decision making, and mindfully managing health and energy. But it is so much more than that. It is a gorgeous orchestral Journey into the thoughts of a Human who has begun to doubt their Purpose in Life. It is an inspiring Battle through One's own Inner Struggle to be Accepted by Society. It is a lightning-quick pixelated romp through the Darkness that can fester in One's Mind. Dandara is a game left up to interpretation. I believe that the world Dandara is set in, "The Salt," is a Human Mindscape. From the raw and instinctual emotions trapped in the trees of the Primal Woods, to the buried memories lost in sand in the Desert of Remembrance, each area covers a different part of the Human Mind. Creative thoughts are housed in the Village of Artists, where joy gathers. Ideas of Innovation are settled in the Intention Capital, always striving for improvement. But there is a sickness invading The Salt. seated at the Crib of Intention. A Golden Idea of Humanity: Shallow Perfection. Eldar. Golden, Shiny, pleasing at first sight, the Golden Idea incepts the Hidden Realms of the Mind. It promises recognition. It promises fame. It promises fortune. All you must do is succumb to its Will. Give up Creativity. Abandon Individuality. Change Intention to Selfishness. Be beautiful on the outside, while festering the terrible Torment of the Relentless Choir from the inside. This is where Dandara comes into Existence. Born from the Crib of Creation out of thoughts of pure Freedom, she sets off to traverse the Mindscape. Her weapon being the Arrows of Freedom, her tools means of cleansing the Mind, she journeys to face Eldar and destroy the Golden Idea. To let Creativity be born once again. The way the Music, Movement, Level Design, and Deep Symbolic Meaning come together in Dandara is something I will never part ways with. Something that will inspire me to never give up. Dandara will not be Forgotten.
This is my first review for any game on GOG. I enjoy unique gaming experiences, full of depth and filled with immersion. Over the years, I have experienced far too many titles too keep count of, but the true gems have always been found when digging through the dirt. Beautiful titles that invoke deeper feelings, whatever direction they may take, such as Rain World, Hyper Light Drifter, Noita, Fez, Transistor, Outward, and Hollow Knight. Reviews that came out for Biomutant are shocking. The level of critical words used against this title feels shortsighted. After spending some time reading other player experiences with Biomutant and finally giving it a chance myself, I cannot disagree with reviewers more. Biomutant can only be described as full of Heart. You can feel the passion that this group of individuals has put into every part of this beautiful world. Some have described the atmosphere as childish, which is reaching, in my opinion. The feeling the world gives is much more akin to the original Fable, mixing humor with undertones of despair. From near the very start, a village is destroyed, littered with the bodies of the recently deceased. This is on top of a bright and cheery world with uplifting ambient music. The feeling of division between a happy fairy tale world and war-torn country are meshed perfectly. Many complaints mentioned the combat, which I found confusing. I am playing Biomutant on hard mode, as a melee-focused Psy Freak. Combat has been enjoyable and challenging against larger foes. Mixing Psy Powers, Melee, Wung Fu Special Moves, and Guns during combat leads to varied combat encounters. Mixed with the huge amount of crafting available, the possibilities are massive. I have only just begun my adventure into Biomutant's large, beautiful world, but I can already feel the Love and Devotion oozing from each hazard filled inch its map, and every wind-swept hair on the furry mutants surviving within it. Don't Trust Scores, Try it for Yourself.
