Duskfade Is a Love Letter to Classic 3D Platformers—with a Clockpunk Twist

Indie Action Platformer Duskfade just released their debut trailer, and I gotta say—it immediately gave me Kingdom Hearts vibes, in the best way. The floaty mid-air combos, magical finishers, and dramatic platforming all feel like a throwback, but with some fresh clockpunk flavor.

You play as Zirian, a sword-wielding hero accompanied by his mechanical bird sidekick, Cuckoo. The goal? Rescue his sister and uncover the secrets of a world stuck in eternal night. Structurally, it’s classic: five regions branching from a central hub, each ending in a boss fight. But what makes Duskfade feel different is the way it leans into time as both a theme and mechanic.

Zirian’s sword is shaped like a clock hand and shifts forms on the fly—from a pendulum for overhead smashes to magical long-range attacks and a grappling hook for traversal. That, paired with fast rail segments and stylish acrobatics, makes the movement look really smooth. It’s got that flow you want in a game like this—go fast, look cool, keep moving.

Visually, it’s not going for ultra-realism. It leans more into that dreamy, slightly surreal aesthetic you’d see in PS2-era platformers, with glowing architecture and soft lighting. Again, very Kingdom Hearts, especially in the way the environments feel designed to guide your eye and encourage movement.

Whether the final game lives up to the promise is still a question—but I’m definitely keeping an eye on it. If you’re into action platformers with big swings (literally and metaphorically), Duskfade might be one to watch.

The announcement trailer is out now. Duskfade is slated for a 2026 release on PC and console.

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