Roguelite fans with Xbox Game Pass are in luck, as the colorful Dandy Ace is now part of the service. Even those without an affinity towards the genre can enjoy the whimsy and fun embedded in Dandy Ace. The game's combat is card-based and involves a lot more spellcasting and range attacks rather than melee. Dandy Ace promises bizarre creatues, outrageous bosses, unconvential allies, and more.
There is a great deal of roguelites on the market right now, but there is good reason for that. The replayability of the genre, in addition to the unique challenges they pose, keeps players coming back. However, to stand out a roguelite, a game has got to have some sort of hook. The game boasts a unique aesthetic, and although Dandy Ace has had inevitable comparisons to other roguelites like Hades, its atmosphere and the fabulous Dandy Ace himself help set it apart.
Plot and Gameplay
The game's aesthetic suitably matches it's narrative, one full of glamour and mystique that the stylishly dressed Dandy Ace explores. Ace, and his assisstants Jenny Jenny and Jolly Jolly, are trapped inside a mirror by Ace's nemesis, Lele the Green Eyed Magician. The simple storyline becomes much more whimsical in proper playthroughs, as Ace must battle legions of Lele's monsters using magical cards and trinkets. Throughout, Ace recieves help from his assistants and other allies, making for a memorable adventure.
Developed by Mad Mimic, an indie studio from Brazil, Dandy Ace has been praised by critics for having a well-rounded combat system. The game's combat is based on magical cards and trinkets, with over a thousand unique abilities that will influence its playstyle. As a roguelite, players should expect some trial and error in finding a playstyle, and the cards that most suit it. The game also features a specific mode for Twitch streamers, which lets the stream audience influence events in the game. Generally, gameplay elements like this are well-recieved, as they help acknowledge the current symbiotic relationship between gaming and streaming in a welcoming manner.
Ultimately, unlike a game like Hades, Dandy Ace is designed to be a light and fun experience. The aesthetic is bright and colorful and the combat is essentially based on card tricks and illusions. For a 2D isometric game, Dandy Ace manages to bring a great deal of flash and glmaour in its animations, and the magician theme largely defines the game's look and feel. Multiple difficulty levels and a new game plus mode are also included in Dandy Ace for those who want some additional challenge in their roguelites.
Dandy Ace may not redefine the roguelite genre, but it is a well-conceieved and well executed example of one. The story may not capture everyone, but it is once again worth noting that it was designed to be more fun and less emotionally taxing. Dandy Ace has a self-awareness, both visually and ludically, that help to achieve the whimiscal, fun experience of the game. While roguelite fans will certainly want to check this game out, Dandy Ace stands to attract a wider variety of players, especially while it's included in \Xbox Game Pass. The punishing nature of roguelite's certainly isn't for everyone, but Dandy Ace doesn't take itself too seriously, and at the very least it's nice to look at. As such, Game Pass subscribers should consider trying it out.
Dandy Ace is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.