Dustborn

The main pros of the game

• Compelling Dialogue System: The game features a unique and engaging dialogue system where choices impact character relationships and the story's direction.
• Interesting World and Concept: Set in an alternate history of North America, the game presents a captivating world with a dystopian backdrop and social commentary, which many players found intriguing.
• Diverse and Growing Cast of Characters: The characters are noted for their distinct personalities and development over the course of the game, creating a sense of investment in their journeys.
• Visual Style: The comic book aesthetic and art style received praise for being vibrant and visually appealing.
• Smooth Performance: Many players reported minimal bugs and smooth gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.
• Unique Mechanics: The incorporation of rhythm-based mini-games and the use of "Vox" powers in conversations and combat added variety to the gameplay.

The main cons of the game

• Rushed Final Chapters: Many users felt that the last two chapters of the game were poorly executed, feeling rushed and lacking the depth and pacing of earlier sections.
• Unlikable Characters: Some players found the main character and other cast members to be insufferable or overly stereotypical, which detracted from their enjoyment.
• Combat System Issues: The combat was criticized for being simplistic and unengaging, with some players opting to skip it entirely.
• Inconsistent Character Interactions: Players noted that character reactions could feel random or inconsistent, leading to confusion in relationship dynamics.
• Overly Political Messaging: Some reviews mentioned that the social commentary felt heavy-handed or on-the-nose, which could detract from the narrative experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Deeper Exploration of the World: Many players felt that the game did not adequately explore its intriguing world or background lore, leaving many questions unanswered.
• Character Development for New Additions: New characters introduced late in the game lacked sufficient development, making their presence feel unnecessary or forced.
• More Engaging Combat Mechanics: Players expressed a desire for a more robust combat system that would offer real challenges and variety instead of simplistic mechanics.
• Better Pacing and Structure: Users wished for a more balanced pacing throughout the game, particularly in the latter chapters, to allow for a more satisfying conclusion to the story.

Summary

• In summary, Dustborn presents an interesting narrative-driven experience with a strong emphasis on dialogue and character relationships, but it suffers from pacing issues, unlikable characters, and a simplistic combat system, leading to mixed reviews from players.

Summary generated on: October 30, 2025