Developed and Published by Duckosaurous Games, Dino-Duck Dash is a 2d- runner with ducks and a focus on fast-paced platforming.
A game does not need to have a lot on offer to be considered a good game. It just needs to be fun, good at least. That is what I get from Dino-Duck Dash: a fast-paced, somewhat challenging, good at least.
Good Quak
On the gameplay front, I don’t have many complaints. It is a simple yet enjoyable ride that keeps you engaged with its easy-to-understand mechanics.
You start by selecting the type of duck you want to play with. Each duck comes with its unique perk, allowing for a variety of playstyles (More on that in a bit).
Once you’ve made your selection, you are placed on a constantly moving 2D plane. Your goal is to travel to the right while eliminating enemies that appear in your path, racking up points as you go. The enemies are not overly difficult, but the challenge lies in how quickly you can dispatch them while avoiding obstacles and staying alive. At a certain point, you will face off against a large boss that’s meant to add a bit of excitement and variety to the usual gameplay loop. Ultimately, you get to fight a large boss but that is rarely the focus of the game.
It’s simple, yes, but it’s also quite satisfying.
Every step you take equals 1 point, every enemy you kill gets anywhere between dozens to hundreds of points, and collectable items on the field give you extra points as well. After each round, you are shown your total points and a live leaderboard showing points of other people playing this game.
It may seem simple but it is quite engaging. Especially with the types of characters and other pickups at your disposal.
Quack on
My biggest complaint with Dino-Duck Dash is more of a pet peeve. At the end of the character selection screen, it says more coming soon. Gives everything a very shovelware-android game feel and I don’t like it.
But I digress, let’s talk about what we do have and not dwell on what could be.
Each duck possesses a unique ability that can significantly impact your playstyle, such as faster running speed, double jump, super dash, and even the ability to dash in mid-air. While these abilities may seem simple, they offer a considerable influence on how you approach the game.
In addition to points, you can collect pickups throughout the game via the giant falling acorn, which grants you a weapon, such as an axe, saw, hammer, and more. Each weapon has its distinct function, providing you with a powerful way to plough through enemies and clear obstacles with ease.
Time to Quack Out!
Dino-Duck Dash. A game that’s… well, decent at best. Let’s be clear: it’s not a disaster, but it’s certainly not a standout title either. The core mechanics are simple and, admittedly, somewhat enjoyable. The gameplay is smooth, but there’s little here to captivate you beyond the first few rounds.
And then there’s the “more coming soon” message in the character selection menu, which doesn’t do the game any favours. It gives off the distinct impression of a rushed product, a hint that what you’re playing is unfinished and incomplete, which is hardly inspiring.
And with that, we wrap things up. Dino-Duck Dash may keep you entertained for a brief moment but don’t expect it to be a game you’ll be talking about next week.
If you’re looking for something more than just a simple, point-grabbing experience, you might want to look elsewhere. But hey, if you’re into ducks, dashes, and collecting points just for the sake of it, then, by all means, have at it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go review the next game. QUACK!!!
