Apost-apocalyptic road trip adventure with a narrative focus, stylish visuals, and a unique combat system that promised to mix things up. Unfortunately, after spending several hours with the game, it became clear that Dustborne falls far short of its potential. If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be this: boring.
The game starts off promising enough, setting up a desolate, dystopian world full of intrigue and mystery. However, the momentum fizzles out almost immediately. The narrative, which is supposed to be one of the game's strongest aspects, quickly loses steam. The dialogue is overly drawn out, and the pacing is glacial at best. While I expected the story to develop and unfold in interesting ways, it became a tedious slog of predictable plot points and uninspired character development. The characters, who at first glance seemed quirky and compelling, never really evolve beyond their initial stereotypes, leaving little room for emotional investment.
A large part of what makes Dustborne so boring is its gameplay. The rpg system, which revolves around "blocking" and "being triggered," feels absurdly underwhelming and, frankly, silly. Blocking attacks, while sounding like it could add a strategic layer to battles, is mind-numbingly repetitive and lacks any real challenge or variety. Each encounter feels the same as the last, and you quickly realize that there's little incentive to think on your feet or come up with clever tactics. It feels more like an exercise in going through the motions than a dynamic, engaging system.
As for the "triggering" mechanic, where you supposedly act triggered to gain health and get enemies into certain behaviors or reactions, it's poorly implemented and downright ridiculous in execution. The concept had potential, but the way it plays out in the game feels cartoonish and juvenile. Rather than adding depth or nuance, it comes across as a gimmick that quickly wears thin. Not only does it fail to make combat more interesting, but it also shatters any immersion the game tries to build. You're left wondering how something this silly made it through development without someone realizing how out of place it feels.
Beyond the combat, the game's exploration and world-building also fail to engage. The world of Dustborne is visually appealing (because it's a copy of borderlands), sure, but it lacks any real sense of life or interactivity. The environments, while atmospheric, feel static and empty, as if they're just backdrops rather than living, breathing parts of the game world. Walking from point A to point B quickly becomes monotonous, with little to do in between other than endure yet more uninspired dialogue or slog through another repetitive encounter.
In the end, Dustborne is a frustratingly dull experience. It had all the ingredients to be a fresh and exciting game, but it falls flat in almost every respect. From its slow and predictable narrative to its shallow and silly combat mechanics, the game simply fails to deliver on its promises. If you're looking for a gripping adventure or a deep, meaningful combat system, Dustborne is not the game for you. Save yourself the time and look elsewhere and play bloodborne or cyberpunk.
