Grim Tides

"Demon Tides is a triumph—an ambitious 3D platformer that not only meets but exceeds the high bar set by genre legends. The movement mechanics are mechanically satisfying in a way that rewards skill and creativity, the level design stays fresh across dozens of hours, and the surprisingly dark narrative unfolds through well-written dialogue and memorable characters. The soundtrack perfectly captures the tropical adventure vibe while delivering genuinely hype moments. Features like Talismans add insane depth to the gameplay, the speedrunning integration is seamless and offers near-infinite replayability, and additions like graffiti tagging and photo mode add community and personalization that fit right in. It lacks polish in some areas, such as performance in certain areas and sporadic voice acting, but that’s a trade-off I’ll gladly accept for a game this mechanically deep and content-rich. This is Fabraz’s magnum opus, a game that legitimately pushes the genre forward and establishes the studio as a serious force in the indie space. This is now my frontrunner for 2026’s Game of the Year and could give a potential next-gen 3D Mario a run for its money. For fans of 3D platformers hungry for the freedom and creativity that defined Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Odyssey, Demon Tides is an essential experience. This is the new Queen of 3D platformers, and her reign has only just begun."

Lords Of Gaming 95 Read full review →