Kingdom Hearts New Replacement Is the Best Mario Game of the Year

Key Points:

• Duskfade, developed by Weird Beluga, is a 20-hour platforming adventure blending inspirations from Kingdom Hearts, Super Mario Odyssey, and classic Disney narratives, featuring a young boy named Zirian on a quest to rescue his sister trapped inside a giant clock tower in their village, Tick Town.
• The game combines charming characters, a whimsical cloud-based population, and a hub world filled with amusing dialogue, though its plot and writing may feel clichéd and more suited to younger audiences.
• Combat resembles Kingdom Hearts with Zirian fighting "inkies" akin to Heartless, featuring straightforward but sometimes repetitive battles, while boss fights introduce more unique and strategic mechanics.
• Movement mechanics are a highlight, offering satisfying aerial dodges, double jumps, and midair attacks, enhanced by unlockable abilities like a grappling hook and sundial rail grinding, encouraging exploration and backtracking for collectibles.
• Minor drawbacks include a capped currency system that can slow progression and sparse portals for fast travel, leading to potentially long walks when backtracking across regions.