Dandara is an experiment that converges unique gameplay, spectacular soundtracks (reminded me of studio Ghibli for some reason) and its pixel art.
However, as a metroidvania I didn't enjoy fully its content : too short and ''lacking'' something, a feeling that I kept for all my playthrough.
However, I'm still giving 4 stars for the overall artistic value and experience that the game alone, provides in its visual, audio and a surprisingly deep story about freedom.
And as an experience, I think it should be try at least once in your life as a gamer, even if you are not a fan of metroidvania genre, and fly through the walls and whatnot in search of freedom.
I played *Dandara* and found its default controller and mouse-and-keyboard control schemes to be a pain, literally. If more ergonomic control schemes which account for its demand for precision are not going to be designed, then it would at least be good to have remappable controls to see if a player-made scheme can be put together.
There's a bunch of games that "recommend using a controller" (e.g. Dead Cells, Guacamelee), but I never had any problems just using a keyboard, or mouse + keyboard, so I figured I'd be the same here.
I found Dandara genuinely unplayable with a mouse though. The way the game works is that you can only jump from platform to platform, and you use the mouse (or gamepad) to indicate the direction to jump. I found the mouse control for this to be so awkward and difficult to use to the point of unplayable. You don't actually see your mouse cursor and it's "guided" in a way that's a bit hard to describe, but I found it odd, weird, and hard to use, even after half an hour of trying. I don't think it has to be like this (just a plain ol' mouse cursor would probably work fine) and a future update could potentially solve it, but this is how it works today.
I found it so unplayable that for the first time in 492 games on gog.com I've asked for a refund. If this issue were fixed, I'd probably enjoy the game; but right now I would consider it "too broken to play", and I don't really want to buy a gamepad just for this game. Sorry :-(
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.
