A Promising Start in a Dystopian America
Dustborn is a game that wears its politics on its sleeve, diving headfirst into its unapologetically leftist stance. Set in a near-future dystopian America fractured into territories following a second civil war, the game follows a group of outsiders on a road trip to fuel a better tomorrow. At first glance, this sounds like a dream scenario for fans of politically charged narratives. Its cel-shaded, comic-book art direction immediately grabs attention, and its world-building is intriguing, presenting an America reshaped by a series of historical "what ifs."
A World Built on Fascinating Ideas
The game plays with an alternate history where Jackie Kennedy was assassinated instead of JFK, leading to the creation of a national police force, "Justice," that slowly morphs the country into a fascist state. The concept of a post-truth society is cleverly woven into the game's world. Disinformation floats through the atmosphere like a virus, infecting people and turning them hostile. It's a world that mirrors today's real-life disinformation issues, and the game doesn't shy away from highlighting its leftist perspective, making it clear that it’s meant for those who share its political stance.
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Great Setup, Poor Execution
While Dustborn starts strong with its engaging world-building and political commentary, it soon falters due to monotonous combat and a lack of character depth. The combat is a hybrid of real-time third-person action and tactical abilities, like "triggering" allies to boost damage or using Pax's words to turn enemies against each other. Although these ideas are clever and align with the game's themes, the execution is poor. Combat feels stiff, and the camera struggles to keep up, making battles feel like a chore rather than a highlight.
An Engaging Story That Loses Steam
The narrative is also a mixed bag. Early on, the game does an excellent job of setting up its world, with an alternate history that feels both fresh and relevant. However, the story becomes chaotic and overly metaphorical in the latter half, losing the compelling focus it had in the beginning. The game’s attempt to be both a light-hearted adventure and a serious political drama leads to jarring tonal shifts that make it hard to stay invested in the characters' journeys.
Characters That Fail to Connect
Unfortunately, Dustborn struggles to make its cast of characters feel relatable or compelling. Despite spending time with each character, their personalities remain flat due to lifeless animations and a constant barrage of dialogue that never seems to pause. The game is so packed with banter that it becomes overwhelming, often cutting off one line to deliver another. This non-stop chatter makes the characters feel less like people you want to root for and more like noise you want to tune out.
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Missed Opportunities in Music and Combat
The game's use of a punk rock cover story is another area where it falls short. Players are promised original punk rock songs, but the music is more pop than punk, lacking the aggression and edge expected from a group rebelling against a fascist regime. Even when the band’s lyrics are incendiary, the consequences for their actions feel inconsequential, further highlighting the gap between the game's narrative setup and its execution.
Technical Issues and Gameplay Frustrations
Technical issues also plague Dustborn, with bugs and crashes marring the experience. While some of these issues have been patched, others, like awkward animations and camera problems, persist. Even outside of combat, the game suffers from lifeless animations that detract from the story and gameplay, making it feel stuck in the past compared to other narrative-driven games.
A Game with Good Intentions, but Flawed Execution
Dustborn is a game with a strong political message and an engaging concept, but its execution leaves much to be desired. While it tackles relevant themes with boldness and empathy, its monotonous combat, weak character development, and technical issues make it hard to recommend wholeheartedly. It’s a game that starts with promise but ultimately struggles to deliver a satisfying experience.
Final Words:
Dustborn is a brave attempt at blending politics with storytelling in a unique way, but it falls apart due to poor gameplay mechanics and underdeveloped characters. For players who value narrative over gameplay, it might still be worth exploring, but for most, it’s a missed opportunity that doesn’t quite hit the mark.