Current games are pretty straightforward when it comes to protagonists: you're usually some manner of gritty hardass. Older games weren't quite like that--for every Hagane or Lords of Thunder or Bad Dudes, there were games like Chuck Rock and Fantasy Zone and Ecco the Dolphin, and the ratio was pretty even across the board. Dustforce is a refreshing return to form for games, casting you as part of an elite team of unusually acrobatic janitors, cleaning up a world that's overrun with filth that turns everyday objects dangerous.
Dustforce is a platformer with action and puzzle elements by Hitbox Team that gives you a very simple-sounding goal--run through as quickly and efficiently as possible, cleaning up dust (and leaves, and trash, and toxic goop), fighting possessed enemies, and basically not dying (good luck with that one, by the way). Originally released on PC, Mac, and Linux in 2012, Dustforce is now available on PS3 and Vita (360 version's on its way) with an additional 150 specially-selected user-generated levels.
Giving options for different playstyles, there are four selectable characters who each have their own unique quirks--Dustworth has greater attack range with his vacuum and a slower, floatier jump, while Dustkid has next to no attack range with her feather dusters and is lightning-fast. You can take on the missions in single-player mode (some of which will take some work to reach and/or unlock) to try and earn scores for Finesse (overall platforming skill and maintaining your combo) and Completion (cleaning up every bit of dirt in a level and defeating as many enemies as possible). Those in a more competitive mood can play in a hectic multiplayer mode, with one team working to coat the level in filth, and the opposition busting their asses to clean it all up.
Don't let the game's gorgeous art fool you--it's not an easygoing experience. Dustforce is demanding as hell, very rarely letting you cruise through it. Sometimes, you'll find yourself playing and replaying from one checkpoint over and over again until you get it right, and quitting a level means you'll have to replay it from the start. While I found the challenge rewarding, some people will (understandably) find it really frustrating. The platforming is very intuitive (for example, to wall run, just hold up when you reach a wall to continue running), but it's also rather finicky. Jumps aren't entirely accurate, so expect a few "how the hell did that happen" falls until you get lucky and land that tricky platforming section.
The elegant chiptune soundtrack is a real high point of the game, with dreamy and relaxing melodies. There's something about the music that really hits the spot for this type of game, putting you in the right mindset to parkour through double-jumping, air-dashing, ceiling-running, spike-dodging obstacle courses and ending in a multi-opponent slow-mo mid-air finisher. That was a lot of hyphens, but you catch my drift.
Dustforce's console release packs a lot into its ten-dollar package, with a challenging and lengthy main mode (with 50+ levels), as well as 150 fan-made maps. Each level keeps things fresh, giving you a mix of platforming and combat, and occasionally just dumping you into white-knuckle levels that are solely platforming or combat. For me, the best video games always tell me "you can do better," and Dustforce rewards patience and mastery, even with a few small problems that wash away after you've become more comfortable with the game's physics. If you've never tried Dustforce, now's the time to start, and early adopters of the game will still find something fresh and fun in this console re-release.
REVIEW ROUNDUP
+ Demanding and fast-paced platforming action rewards players who put time into the game
+ Standout soundtrack really contributes to the game and puts you in just the right mindset
+ Beautiful visuals, designed well enough that you have to try to lose your (admittedly small) character onscreen while playing
+ Lots of content: 50+ main levels and 150 special user-generated maps, with lots of variety, along with hilarious multiplayer
+/- The game really expects perfection, even if that means replaying one section again and again until you say "f**k it"
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