- The time-reversing journey of a boy named Zirian to save a world trapped in eternal night
- Eye-catching clockwork-crafted clockpunk world and fast-paced platforming action
- Platforming action reminiscent of ‘Jak and Daxter’ and ‘Kingdom Hearts’ receives ‘Very Positive’ rating on Steam
Spanish indie developer Weird Beluga and publisher Fireshine Games officially released the 3D action platformer ‘Duskfade’ on August 13.
The new title ‘Dusk Fade’ is set in a clockpunk world inspired by intricate clockwork mechanisms, featuring vibrant visuals and platforming action that traverses diverse terrain.
It has been released on various platforms including PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, and the Steam price is 29.99 euros (approximately $29.99). To celebrate the launch, a limited 20% discount is also currently underway on Steam.
A world trapped in eternal night… The adventure of a boy and a mechanical bird
The story begins as the world is plunged into eternal night and the protagonist Zirian’s sister is trapped in a mysterious clock tower by an unknown entity named ‘Despair’.
Zirian wields the clockwork sword ‘Minutero’ and embarks on a journey to reverse the flow of time itself. In the process of uncovering the ancient secrets left by the great clockmakers, he explores regions with diverse atmospheres—such as the mystical forest, the sunken kingdom, and the sun-drenched sand dunes—alongside his mechanical companion, ‘Cuckoo’.
In each stage, you must overcome obstacles by utilizing various movement abilities such as jumping, grinding, and hanging. Exploration elements, such as venturing off the main path to discover hidden secrets, also add considerable fun.
Rusty clockwork and surreal architecture… a unique clockpunk aesthetic
One of the biggest features of ‘Dusk Fade’ is its clockpunk world inspired by clockwork mechanisms.
A unique world was created by adding vibrant colors to a distinctive background that combines rusty machinery, ticking clocks, and surreal architecture.
The protagonist’s sword, ‘Minutero,’ features a design reminiscent of clock hands, which some overseas media outlets have noted as an element reminiscent of the Keyblades from ‘Kingdom Hearts.’
The captivating soundtrack is also highly polished. While dynamically pulsating synth sounds and intricate mechanical beats are arranged according to regional concepts, rich orchestral colors are added to further enhance the classic nostalgia and immersion of the clockpunk worldview.
However, some reviews pointed out that the bloom effect applied across the screen felt a bit excessive.
The reunion of the ‘Clid the Snail’ development team and Fireshine Games
Weird Beluga is a small indie development team based in Spain.
The debut title ‘Clid the Snail’ won Game of the Year and Best Graphics at PlayStation Talents in 2019, and was subsequently released on PC and PlayStation in 2021 in collaboration with Koch Media.
‘Dusk Fade’ is Weird Beluga’s second project, combining fragrance with new ideas based on the experience of their previous work.
Fireshine Games, the publisher, is a London-based global publisher that has released various indie games such as ‘Core Keeper’, ‘Shadows of Doubt’, ‘Len’s Island’, and ‘Popucom’. It is currently operating under the EG7 Group.
Steam ‘Very Positive’… Platforming Praised, Combat Disappointing
‘Dusk Fade’ is receiving a generally positive response on Steam immediately after its official release. On Steam, 89% of the 299 total user reviews were positive, resulting in a ‘Very Positive’ rating.
The free demo released prior to launch also received positive reviews from 91% of the 574 reviews. At the time of the demo’s release, GameSpot even described it as a title comparable to the spiritual successor to ‘Jak and Daxter,’ a game that had long awaited a sequel.
Since its official release, reactions from overseas media have also been generally favorable. The Outerhaven described it as a title reminiscent of the gameplay of ‘Kingdom Hearts’, while TheSixthAxis praised the movement system, which expands with grappling hooks and grinds.
On the other hand, opinions that the combat felt somewhat bland, along with stiff movement and an inconsistent lock-on system, were pointed out as drawbacks.
Adding fast-paced platforming to a unique clockpunk world crafted with clockwork mechanisms, ‘Dusk Fade’ is a title that simultaneously presents visuals evoking classic nostalgia and fresh action.
While there are some criticisms regarding the somewhat lacking combat and movement systems, given the positive reception currently on Steam, attention is focused on how user evaluations will unfold in the future.
Information regarding ‘ Duskfade ‘
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Weird Beluga |
| Publisher | Fireshine Games |
| Genre | 3D Action Platformer, Adventure |
| platform | PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Release date | August 13, 2026 |
| price | 29.99 Euros (Limited 20% discount to celebrate Steam launch) |
| Playtime | Approximately 15~16 hours (based on clearing) |
| Reactions/Evaluations | Steam ‘Very Positive’ (89% positive out of 299 reviews), 91% positive out of 574 demo reviews |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
