Demon Tides Review – The New Pinnacle Of Platforming

Demon Tides is a joyous sandbox to get lost in thanks to its freedom of movement. Welcome to the new pinnacle of platforming.

The year is 1996. My excitement cannot be contained. Mario is making the jump to 3D. Never-before-seen platforming feels like a momentous occasion that will be forever ingrained in me. Wall-jumping, dashing, sliding. I can do it all. The year is 2001. Sonic Adventure 2 sets a new bar in what flow can be conceived of in video games as a whole. Running as fast as the speed of light is a memory I will always take with me. The year is 2026. Demon Tides blows away all my expectations of what the genre can achieve, making me reconsider what was ever possible with the previous movesets I came to know. The new pinnacle of platforming is here.

Demon Tides is a sequel to Demon Turf—a game you need not play to get in on the action—made by developer Fabraz, who is also currently working on Bubsy 4D. This entry, which I am sure will enter the collective consciousness of platformers instantly, is one that needs to be played to truly believe how smooth it feels. Spearheading a subgenre called expressive platforming, it is based on an easy-to-pick-up-and-play ethos with deep mechanics to master. The many combos possible with a few well-timed clicks seem like extremely fertile ground for enthusiasts and casual players alike.

Wearing the pointy boots of young demon Beebz, this feisty girl can shapeshift at her will into several swift forms to aid in every sort of situation. Her base moveset is a jump and dash, but the mixing and matching with her otherworldly abilities is astounding to learn. While jumping, she can transform into a bat, effectively turning it into a double jump to reach higher areas. Paired with the dash, even more so. That’s not all. A spin form can extend the time airborne, and if you already grab momentum from the ground with the snake form, there is virtually no area you cannot get to. The freedom on display reminds of where three-dimensional video games excel.

The story serves as an excuse for Beebz to flex her skills in this platforming paradise. Her father, who is the almighty king of the oppressive masses in this realm, sent her a letter requesting her presence. 35 golden gears must be collected across three massive archipelagos to get to him. Each area features an impressive amount of creative biomes, from strangely formed islands to suspiciously useful roads and oil rig-type structures.

Clearing each segment unlocks a challenge mode to compete in the leaderboards with other players. To have Fabraz himself standing there and already beaten by other fearsome challengers proves how it is already picking up fans, even when the game hadn’t even been released to the public yet. The replayability found in these levels is infinite when you consider the subtle changes that can tweak your playstyle.

Some zones hide the gears needed; others reward your tenacity with trinkets that improve your abilities. Such trinkets entice custom builds that can be changed on the fly to adapt to any situation presented. The sheer variety of improvements is not to be understated. With 69 trinkets to choose from, the sky is the limit. Some may allow you to jump twice as a bat, swim faster as a snake, or extend your airborne spinning. That infused with ambitious build changes with the click of a button simply gives a rich playground to wholly make your own.

Special challenges called Mr. Mint’s Trials found scattered across the island are not to be trifled with. While Demon Tides itself is quite lenient, giving you the option to spawn a checkpoint flag almost anywhere on the map to not lose progress if you fall, the trials are anything but. Long, precise stages that require your full attention and no room for mistakes are made for those craving to test their mettle. Because there are no such things as checkpoints in these levels, that means one wrong move and it’s over. The reward is even more unique trinkets, at least giving an appropriate upgrade for the effort put into them.

Beebz is not alone in this journey. Luci, DK, and Midgi are her quirky sidekicks, usually hanging out close by on a ship. DK particularly stands out for his Gen Z vernacular that goes to extremes, bringing home the silliness of the adventure. These characters are not only there to make you cringe, though, as the boat offers two stores, one to buy cool new options for her hair and outfits and even more trinkets. They will even spawn at times in certain areas where you are doing the main quest to fight certain henchmen from Beebz’ father, making her quest feel lively.

I would be remiss to not mention the groovy soundtrack that accompanies Demon Tides. Each song is carefully selected; if it’s a thrilling race to the finish line, a more laid-back explorable islet, or a bombastic boss fight, it’s all perfectly attuned to the moment. Jazz, rock, and electronic beats help reach that coveted flow state effortlessly. The extensive variety in music in this 35+ hour experience means there is never a dull moment.

Not a perfect adventure but close to it, Demon Tides gives you the freedom to explore to your heart’s content. Its expressive platforming is the alpha and the omega. Every level provides an opportunity to try out different ways to show off your increasing mastery of Beebz’s skills. In the end, that is what it is all about. A joyous sandbox to get lost in, movement has never felt so graceful.