Andrew "Reviews" Dust: An Elysian Tail

Dust: An Elysian Tail was a game that I picked up on Steam after a friend said to me that I would like it. (At least I think that's what happened, I've had the game for a few months and never played it).  I decided to start playing it this last Saturday, and finished it the next day.  I probably spent around 13-14 hours from start to finish (I know, I can be a bit of an obsessive gamer).

Dust almost immediately pulled me in.  Normally, games take awhile to warm up, but Dust isn't like that.  It handed me some of the most powerful tools up front, and sent me racing on my way.  The game is an Action RPG, and feels like a mix between the Legend of Zelda, Metroid, a splash of Megaman, and Dragon Ball Z/Golden Axe.  Many times, I had energy bolts or fire pillars all over the screen and I had no idea what was going on, but at least I knew that I was winning!  Dust is basically an Action RPG.  There are combos that can be done with the sword (I honestly didn't play with those too much, I was too busy playing with the 'Dust Storm' ability), and the character can level up and become more powerful.  The game reminded me of Metroid because there are some secrets in the opening zone that can't be unlocked until later in the game.

The graphics of the game were equally compelling.  The entire game looks hand painted (maybe it was, I don't know) and is very beautiful.  It also has a scrolling background and foreground that added a lot to the beauty of the game.

I really liked the plot of the game too.  It was engaging and moving.  The way that Dust and his companions interact made me smile and laugh.  The game follows a man named Dust who is trying to remember who he is.  He is accompanied by a wise talking sword and a mischievous flying catlike creature.  The game isn't afraid to explore things like identity, purpose, choices, and death.  It even tackles a hard pill to swallow: even when we do everything right, when it's someone's time to die, they still die.

Overall, I'd highly recommend Dust: An Elysian Tail. Rated E 10+ for fantasy violence, mild blood, and mild swearing (I only remember one or two swear words).  Check it out if you see it on sale on the Steam store or on XBOX Live.