New PS5 Platformer Duskfade Wins Over Players With Classic PS2 Style

AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·

New PS5 Platformer Duskfade Wins Over Players With Classic PS2 Style

Indie platformer Duskfade is winning over PlayStation 5 players with strong reviews, classic PS2 inspiration, and a free playable demo.

Classic style platformers are having a serious moment right now, and the latest proof comes from indie developer Weird Beluga. Their new game, Duskfade, launched on August 13 and is already turning heads on the PlayStation 5. According to data covered by GameRant, the game has pulled in an impressive 89 percent positive rating from over one thousand user reviews on the PlayStation Store, alongside a solid 81 on OpenCritic.

For a mid-budget indie title fighting for attention in a crowded market, those numbers speak volumes. Weird Beluga has been open about their influences, citing giants like Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank for gameplay mechanics, Kingdom Hearts for the general art and mood, and even nodding toward Super Mario Odyssey and modern Soulslike titles for extra depth. It is a potent mix of nostalgia and fresh design that hits right in the sweet spot for players who grew up on the PlayStation 2.

The resurgence of games like Astro Bot proved that demand for polished 3D platformers never actually disappeared, it was just waiting for the right projects to fill the gap. What makes Duskfade an easy recommendation for hesitant buyers is the presence of a generous free demo on the PlayStation Store, giving players up to two hours of gameplay to test the waters before dropping money. The full experience runs roughly fifteen to twenty hours, and the pricing sits at a reasonable 29.

99 dollars on console, with PC players enjoying a lower entry point on Steam. In an ecosystem often dominated by live service grinds and massive open world time sinks, finding a tight, focused single-player adventure that honors gaming history is always worth celebrating. You can read the original reporting over at GameRant.

Tags: PS5, Platformer, Indie Games, PlayStation

Original article: Game Rant