Dustborn review

Dustborn review

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that Dustborn has left me with a peculiar mix of emotions. On one hand, I appreciate its bold narrative and the messages it attempts to convey about the power of words, friendship, and resistance against oppressive regimes. However, on the other, I found myself yearning for a bit more subtlety in its execution.


Dustborn offers a mix of genres and concepts, often delivering messages that are clear rather than nuanced as you delve deeper into the gameplay. Underneath its layers, though, it’s about forging connections and fostering friendships, and the choices you make throughout your adventure. You’ll encounter Quick Time Events, dialogue options to choose from, music rhythm sections, and some combative sequences too, but at its peak, it shines when you witness how your decisions influence the narrative in diverse ways. While it’s far from flawless, I found our collective journey through the game incredibly engaging.

In this tale, the setting is a post-second civil war dystopia within America. Here, an unusual sequence of events unfolds, revealing Jackie Kennedy as the one assassinated instead of JFK. Her demise leads to the creation of Justice, a policing division that spreads terror throughout the new Republic of America under Presidential rule. You, along with your companions, are known as Pax, and you’re on a mission to counter this oppression. Your objective is to transport a crucial package from RA to Canada.

Dustborn review

At first, I found some of the characters off-putting because their opinions came across as too forceful and repetitive. It seemed like they were trying too hard to convey their beliefs, making it feel less authentic and more like a constant stream of preaching. However, as the story progressed, these characters began to interact more naturally, especially when the dialogue wasn’t interrupted by frequent exposition.

In its prime, Dustborn thrives when given an opportunity to express itself. Your discussions among you flow effortlessly. The decision on how to react, whether to interject or stay silent, and determining the ideal course of action in each situation rests with you. These choices shape not only your interactions but also how your companions perceive you throughout the game. This dynamic can lead to intriguing situations as the story unfolds. Initially, I found Pax to be a determined character, but over time, she grew on me.

Dustborn review

The story reflects what is wrong with society today, specifically in America. It’s an important story to tell, one where fascists are getting in power and the importance of those who oppose having their voices heard. Those voices in Dustborn are called Vox, a special ability wielded by Anomals who can use their voice to change minds. Pax can negatively affect others by what she says, while others can gaslight and even trigger those around them. It’s on the nose but it makes sense with the way the game is played. Pax’s Vox abilities can also be used in combat situations, but I often found fighting to be the least exciting element of it.

1. Pax will wield her baseball bat to attack adversaries or even hurl it like a boomerang; however, I’ve always found those parts to lack coherence. The game Dustborn excels when it focuses on dialogue and character development, shedding light on the characters and their stories. In certain segments, you’ll play music where timing is crucial and you must press the right button at the right moment; yet, these segments seem added merely for variety. They’re not detrimental in any way, they just don’t deliver as much enjoyment as I anticipated.

Dustborn review

In a captivating comic book art style, reminiscent of cel-shading, Dustborn delivers an enjoyable gaming experience. Every dialogue exchange and cutscene is visually stunning, making it hard to look away and appreciate the environment. The music complements this beautifully, with original tunes that perfectly fit the storyline and the makeshift band. What truly stands out in Dustborn is its character development, as the group of punk rock activists evolves into a collection of characters I grew attached to over time. This transformation is handled thoughtfully and intentionally for the most part.

Dustborn explores the impact of truth and deceit in today’s world, emphasizing that words have immense power. The spread of misinformation has significantly increased over the past decade, particularly through social media platforms. While Dustborn conveys an essential message, it sometimes feels too forceful and over-reliant on symbolism. It would be more effective if it toned down its subtle hints and allowed the story to unfold naturally. Regardless, I found my adventure alongside Pax and her companions through a shattered America to be engaging and thought-provoking.

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2024-08-19 21:16