The PlayStation 5 now has a brand-new action platformer called Duskfade, which is inspired by classic PS2 games like Jak and Daxter, and it has quickly become a sensation among fans of the genre. Duskfade has received incredibly positive reviews from both PlayStation 5 gamers and critics, with some even calling it a spiritual successor to classic platformer franchises that are no longer around.
While many believe the PS2 era was the golden age of 3D platformer games, the success of new-gen titles like Astro Bot on the PS5 has proven that there’s still considerable demand for the genre. That said, the number of choices available to players hasn’t been particularly extensive in recent years. Duskfade now seems to be breaking this pattern and causing excitement among platformer-thirsty fans on the PS5.
Duskfade Has 89% Positive Reviews on the PlayStation Store
Released on August 13, Duskfade is a brand-new indie platformer that has quickly amassed over 1,000 reviews on the PS Store, with 89% of them being four- or five-star ratings at the time of writing. More precisely, Duskfade currently has an average user score of 4.56 out of 5 on the platform, which is impressive for a game from a small studio. Reviewers have also shown love for Duskfade, with the review aggregator site OpenCritic revealing that it has received a score of 81 out of 100 from top critics.
Scratch & Peek
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Developer Weird Beluga has openly discussed its sources of inspiration for Duskfade. Narrative designer Ricardo Chorques Mesa said, “We like to talk proudly about our main references, which would be Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank in terms of gameplay, and Kingdom Hearts as a reference for art and mood (via Gamereactor).” These aren’t the only classic games that have shaped Duskfade, either. Mesa also added that the team at Weird Beluga has taken pages out of Super Mario Odyssey‘s book, as well as some Soulslike titles.
Duskfade Has a Free Demo on the PS5
Lucky for PlayStation 5 users, Duskfade offers a free demo on the platform that provides a glimpse of what the game has to offer. The demo features one to two hours of content, enough to familiarize gamers with its vivid world and PS2-era-inspired gameplay style. Early estimates also suggest that Duskfade offers 15 to 20 hours of gameplay in the full version, with some replayable aspects that can add to the overall experience. Those looking to grab Duskfade on the PS5 should also note that it is currently priced at $29.99 USD, while the Steam version is slightly cheaper at around $13, thanks to a limited-time discount.
Weird Beluga recently said, “The response to Duskfade has been so amazing,” while thanking players for the support they have shown for the game. According to Weird Beluga, Duskfade is “a love letter to classic 3D action platformers,” and based on the current reviews, it appears to have struck all the right chords with fans of the genre, especially on the PlayStation 5, where it has received hundreds of positive user reviews.
- Released
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August 13, 2026
- Developer(s)
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Weird Beluga
- Publisher(s)
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Fireshine Games
- Number of Players
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Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Unknown
