Duskfade is a colourful 20-hour action-platforming adventure that blends the combat feel of Kingdom Hearts with the movement and exploration of Super Mario Odyssey. It does not reinvent the genre, but its attractive worlds, likeable characters and approachable challenge make it one of 2026’s most enjoyable action games.
A clock tower over Tick Town
Created by debut studio Weird Beluga, Duskfade follows Zirian, a young boy whose sister has been imprisoned inside a gigantic clock tower that has appeared in the middle of their home, Tick Town. The village is inhabited mostly by “cloudies”, adorable creatures formed from small clouds. Zirian’s family also includes his sister and their recently deceased grandfather.
Tick Town acts as the game’s central hub, with many cloudies offering amusing conversations. The story follows a familiar rescue adventure: one sibling must save another from danger while confronting a powerful villain. Its deliberately wholesome tone and dialogue can feel aimed at younger players, although a pair of cloudies in Lantern Port provide an unexpected reference to Lost.
Familiar combat with a few rough edges
The game’s action is strongly reminiscent of Kingdom Hearts. Zirian fills the role of an agile young hero, while the enemies known as inkies occupy a similar place to that series’ Heartless. The key difference is his weapon: a conventional sword rather than an oversized key.
Combat is less polished than its obvious inspiration. Lock-on targeting often gets in the way, and ordinary encounters can become crowded with projectiles and enemies. In many fights, the most reliable approach is simply to dodge, attack, dodge and attack again.
Boss encounters are more inventive. One creature repeatedly floods its arena with lava, while a robot can be stunned only by using its own energy beam to destroy its power sources. None of these battles is especially complicated, but each asks for more awareness than standard enemy encounters.
Movement makes exploration worthwhile
Duskfade is at its best when Zirian is moving through the environment. He can dodge in mid-air, double-jump and attack while airborne for a small extra boost. Combined with water jets, springy plants and careful timing, these abilities let him cross surprisingly large gaps and reach some of the game’s most demanding collectibles.
Later upgrades expand those possibilities. A grappling hook opens new routes, while a surprisingly practical sundial lets Zirian grind along rails. Each area contains items that remain inaccessible until the appropriate ability is unlocked, giving players a reason to revisit earlier locations.
Exploration rewards include currency for equipment upgrades, cosmetic items and playing cards. The cards become available for trading after the relevant merchant has been rescued and returned to Tick Town. Players who want to find everything should expect plenty of backtracking.
Small frustrations in a generous adventure
The basic currency has a limit of 9,999. Players who break objects and search thoroughly can reach that ceiling fairly quickly, after which chests cannot provide more until some has been spent. Returning to the hub is manageable when a portal is nearby, but inconvenient when it is not.
Checkpoints are plentiful, and falling from the world or into water usually places Zirian back where he was. Fast-travel portals, however, are relatively scarce. Revisiting a region with a newly acquired ability can therefore involve a long walk before reaching a portal back to Tick Town or another area.
Verdict
Those irritations do little to undermine the overall experience. Duskfade is funny, warm-hearted and occasionally demanding, while its collectibles give exploration a clear purpose. Its influences are obvious, but Weird Beluga’s first game still delivers a substantial and polished take on action-platforming.
Players waiting for Kingdom Hearts 4 may find Duskfade a particularly appealing stopgap, but it stands on its own as a pleasant adventure. Its combination of familiar combat, satisfying traversal and cheerful presentation makes it an easy recommendation for fans of modern platforming games.
For readers interested in bringing arcade-style play into an Australian games room, RETROCADE’s Arcade Blog covers more gaming news and ideas. Those planning a cabinet setup can also consult the Arcade Machine Buying Guide, browse upright arcade machines, or consider a space-saving bartop arcade.
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