is an ambitious title that seeks to cater to the unique niche within the beloved Metroidvania genre. The game is developed by Cardboard Sword and published by PLAION. This 2D stealthy metroidvania game incorporates parkour platforming which makes the game more immersive. The game also maintains the genre of Stealthvania which basically blends metroidvania with stealth. So, if you are into Assassin Creed and Metroidvania games then you know you will love this game.
Features of the Game
According to their steam page the features of the games are:
- 2D Stealth Metroidvania with parkour exploration
- Rich 16bit art with modern effects
- Immersive and dynamic audio builds tension and highlights danger
- An eclectic range of characters to discover and aid
- Avoid enemies, evade capture and find other ways to deal with threats
- Master moves and find tools to help access new areas previously unexplored
A Tale of Sand, Shadows, and Siege
The game is set in the scorching and sprawling sands of a besieged desert kingdom. The game follows the famous sandbox who is a legendary guardian. Sandfox was falsely accused of regicide and was thrown into the dangerous depths of the royal dungeons. You guessed it right! The purpose of the game is to escape the dungeons.
You will explore the royal dungeons which are sprawling with some formidable threats. You will need to take on the guards using your stealthy skills and befriend new potential allies. Moreover, you will encounter unique enemies in different area to test your combat skills.
“Explore the palace and cavernous depths below an ancient desert city, under siege by its neighbouring kingdom.”
The Legendary Sandfox
According to the lore the Sandfox is also known as Kasha’i who is famed across the land as one of the most legendary protectors and servants to the crown. Don is the current holder of the mantle and his miserable fate leads him to be falsely accused of being a traitor to the crown.
Due to the accusations the Sandfox was thrown into the deep pit which leads to the underground prisons. The Sandfox was betrayed by the queen so she can hide her own regicide and now it’s up to the Sandfox to save the kingdom.
“Save the kingdom from the Queen’s evil plot and reap revenge with the iconic weapon of the Kasha’i: the glass dagger.”
Stealth as the Core Pillar
Most Metroidvania games are combat focused where mostly hack and slash is used. However, The Siege and the Sandfox takes the risk of removing combat entirely and implementing stealthy combat. You need to bring out your inner assassin and use your environment to hide, sneak and run. You can sneak in tall grass or distract guards with broken bottles. Moreover, each encounter becomes a puzzle as it demands timing, patience and observation.
“As dusk becomes night, and night becomes dawn, you will need to rely on the aid of new allies, make your way back into the palace, and end the treachery of the wicked Queen.”
Visuals: Retro Beauty with a Modern Glow
One of the very first things you will notice is how beautiful the game is. The game embraces a 16-bit SNES-inspired pixel style so this artstyle will induce the nostalgia inside you. Thanks to the modern technology and unreal engine the game also features dynamic lighting to make the game more immersive. The depth-of-field effect and subtle particle system makes each frame of the game more alive.
Conclusion
“In your journey through the dark caves, dusty mausoleums, dangerous prisons, and crumbling ancient architecture, you will need to avoid the nastier inhabitants of this underground world and aid those friendlier to a new face.”
If you are looking for something different then you should definitely look into The Siege and the Sandfox. The game is a thoughtful blend of both stealth and metroidvania games. If you are looking for something like Assassin Creed but as a platformer then this game will be an amazing choice for you. The game will respect your intelligence,
