Kandria

Good game. Surprised it's this obscure. The vibe most reminds me of Nier:Automata, when you're exploring the city at the beginning and just vibing, doing sidequests, fishing and so on. Then mix in a bit of Cave Story and Celeste. It's a good combo. It can be very tough in certain places, but there are some tricks to it which make it easier. For instance, don't forget you can move through the air in a long straight line just by attacking, any time. There's some really cool metroidvania features. You can see the path you've taken on the map, all at once or drawn out gradually. The places you've died are marked too, and you can add your own markers. There's no autosave, but you can save+quit any time, as well as manually save at phone boxes in key areas. The saving system is kinda strange because you can't die by platforming, only in combat. And combat is only a minor part of the game. (So far anyway). Some polish issues: - Input buffering could be slightly better in places given the demanding platforming some places have. - Ending(s?) are very abrupt, when they should slow down with some epilogue for a moment. - Music breaks at some rare times. - Menus with controller are slightly awkward (fine once you get the hang of it tho)

Kandria is a distinctive 2D action RPG that blends open-world exploration, precision platforming, combat, quests, and quieter side activities within a post-apocalyptic setting. Developed and published by Shirakumo Games, the game places players in control of an android who awakens in the remains of a civilization that has largely disappeared. Instead of presenting the ruined world as little more than a backdrop for constant fighting, Kandria builds its adventure around discovering what remains, interacting with survivors, uncovering forgotten history, and deciding how to become involved in the conflicts of the people who now inhabit the valley. One of the game's strongest design choices is its approach to exploration. Kandria avoids conventional ability-based progression in which certain locations remain inaccessible until a specific movement upgrade is acquired. The protagonist already possesses the necessary mobility to explore the world, so reaching difficult places depends more heavily on the player's ability to use those movement mechanics effectively. This creates an unusually liberating structure. Discovering an intimidating route does not necessarily mean returning several hours later with another upgrade. Instead, the challenge becomes figuring out how to traverse it successfully. The world itself is extensive and interconnected, consisting of hundreds of handcrafted rooms spread across underground settlements, caverns, industrial remnants, abandoned structures, and dangerous passages. These locations are not simply empty spaces separating objectives. Many are constructed around deliberate platforming challenges that demand accurate movement and patience. Kandria can consequently become demanding when environmental hazards and complicated traversal sequences appear. Players who enjoy precision platformers should find considerable satisfaction in mastering these sections, although those approaching the game primarily for its RPG elements may occasionally find the tougher platforming sequences more demanding than expected. Combat introduces another layer to the experience. The android is capable of confronting hostile creatures and other threats with direct hack-and-slash action, making battles a regular part of exploring the wasteland. However, Kandria does not treat violence as the universal solution to every situation. The protagonist's exceptional physical capabilities contrast with her uncertain position among the surviving communities. She may be powerful enough to overcome dangerous enemies, but establishing trust requires communication, completing tasks, and becoming involved in problems that cannot simply be solved with a weapon. This becomes particularly important in the story involving the surviving factions of the valley. The protagonist becomes caught between groups with their own interests and tensions, giving the narrative a social dimension beyond the mystery of the ruined civilization. Around 50 quests provide opportunities to learn about these people while performing jobs such as scavenging, repairing equipment, patrolling dangerous areas, and assisting with other practical concerns. Dialogue choices accompany these interactions and help reinforce the sense that the android is gradually establishing her place within a society that existed before her awakening. The quest system also provides useful structure without completely undermining the freedom of exploration. Players can pursue objectives while continuing to investigate distant areas, search for hidden locations, or uncover information about the old world. Environmental discoveries gradually reveal more about the civilization that preceded the current survivors. This gives exploration narrative value because entering an obscure section of the map can produce more than material rewards. It may also provide another fragment of information about how this devastated world came to exist. Kandria balances its dangerous environments with severa…

The game might be fine, but I experienced numerous controller related issues on the Steam Deck. The character keeps walking after I let go of the stick, sometimes she doesn't move and have to let go and move again, remapping an action made a mess in the menu, etc. The issues are frequent enough to not make the game enjoyable.