Greetings, friends, and welcome everyone to Mobile Game Monday, where we chat about games you can play on the go. If you like to game on a phone or tablet, this is the place for you. Join us every week as we go on all sorts of adventures.
To celebrate Women’s History Month, join me on a journey with a strong female lead. Dandara is inspired by the remarkable real-life of Dandara dos Palmares who fought against slavery in Brazil in the late 17th century. Erica Lorraine Williams tells us in the Dictionary of Caribbean and Afro-Latin American Biography that the people of Palmares were mostly Brazilian and African refugees. They used agricultural techniques to become a self-sufficient community.
When this self-sufficiency threatened the lucrative slave trade at the time, colonial authorities sought to resettle Palmares and enslave its people. Brave heroes such as Dandara fought off invasions from the Dutch and Portuguese for almost a century. Not much is known about Dandara of Palmares but some say when she was faced with capture, she chose to throw herself from the highest mountain rather than return to a life of slavery.
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Dandara
Dandara is a 2D Metroidvania-style platformer developed by Long Hat House and published by Raw Fury. The world of Salt falls apart at the hands of those who seek to oppress the once vibrant community. Play as Dandara, a heroine who awakens to free the citizens of Salt from isolation and desperation.
Rather than your typical run-and-jump style movement, Dandara can jump and hold onto any white surface. Point the cursor to where you want her to land and watch her soar. Because you can only move to white surfaces you must be strategic with your movements. Moving through each level is a puzzle in itself because your movement is limited and some of the maps are large and labyrinthian. Not being able to run and jump freely takes some getting used to.
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As if finding your way through the map isn’t difficult enough, you are surrounded by enemies that you can blast with Dandara’s spirit bomb. The weapon is controlled with the left hand and works much the same way as movement. Point in the direction of your target, charge it up and let it go. Mechanics wise that is pretty much it, move with your right hand and shoot with your left.
Throughout Salt, you will (hopefully) find upgrades that will give Dandara more health, new movement options or new ways to take out enemies. However, these power-ups are hidden throughout the map and are not necessary to complete the game though it sure makes things a little easier. If you are strong (and patient) enough to get to the end of a level, you are rewarded with an infuriatingly difficult boss fight.
The residents of Salt will help you through your journey. For example, Tarsila (named after a famous Brazilian painter) lights up her paintings which become platforms that move you through levels. Or Thommaz who is named after the game’s composer, ThommazK, who activates the music box buttons throughout the world. Everywhere Dandara travels, she is an inspiration to others and helps the residents of Salt once again find their voices.
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Our Adventure Ends Here
Dandara isn’t the type of game that you can run and gun your way through. You have to be calculating as well as reactionary. This is truly one of the most difficult games I have ever played. There is a lot of playing through an entire level only to die and start all over again which can really test one’s patience. I found myself rage quitting only to quickly go back for another try. As a Cuphead fan, I am a glutton for punishment so it was a somewhat enjoyable experience for me.
Difficulty aside, this game is a treat for the senses. Each level is a gorgeous multi-layered pixelated masterpiece. The music by ThommazK sounds like the soundtrack to your favorite old 8-bit game had a retro wave baby. The unique gameplay is a refreshing change, especially for this genre. I recommend Dandara for those in search of a challenge. While this game isn’t for everyone, I am certainly grateful that it led me to discover a historical heroine that I had never heard of.
RELATED: Read all of the Mobile Game Monday adventures here!
Take it easy and play it safe, gamers.
Do you like to play difficult games? Let us know in the comments below!
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