The Siege and the Sandfox

It’s a rare Metroidvania that feels different, that knows what it wants to be and manages to pull it off without feeling overly indebted to the games that inspired it. I enjoyed it, but most importantly, I felt like I was playing something with its own identity. Like the Sandfox themself, it could not be here without what came before it. But like the Sandfox, it charts its own path forward.

What should have been an 8.5/10 experience is, for now, a 7/10. The Siege and the Sandfox has charm, style, and stealthy substance—but it’s held back by just a few technical hiccups and a lack of post-launch support. Still, I had a blast sneaking through its world. This game has bags of character and gameplay worth sinking your snout into.

The Siege and the Sandfox delivers a unique mix of tight stealth gameplay and metroidvania exploration, all wrapped in gorgeous pixel art and a rich, Middle Eastern-inspired world. Movement feels sharp and responsive, and the map design constantly rewards players who seek out alternate routes. It’s a challenging but deeply rewarding experience for anyone who enjoys hardcore stealth and smart level design.

To appreciate The Siege and the Sandfox, you need to keep in mind that almost everything in it is focused on building atmosphere and narrative and stealth gameplay. The “stealthvania” approach is legitimate, but the simple mechanics and laborious navigation through the levels do not contribute to making its execution worthwhile. I recommend it to those who want to appreciate beautiful aesthetics and immerse themselves in a fantasy from the Arabian Nights while listening to a lovely narrator who accompanies each step of the journey.

The Siege and the Sandfox is a great parkour metroidvania to add to the small library of games with the same idea. With no way to kill anyone and having to be the best agent of stealth, is a fun time in my books. Although the bugs I encountered may out some people off, I persevered. The characters in the dungeon and their little stories always kept me going. Curious on what kept them ticking or what life down here is like. So, if you like a metriodvania that is all parkour all the time, pick up the Siege and the Sandfox today. I give The Siege and the Sandfox the Thumb Culture Gold Award.

The Siege and the Sandfox is a unique combination of metroidvania and stealth, boasting some great ideas, but the poor execution of several of its elements results in a rather gritty mix.

The Siege and the Sandfox is a beautifully realized Metroidvania that succeeds in every artistic aspect, from its pixel-perfect visuals and soundtrack to its intricate worldbuilding. While it stumbles somewhat in its necessary backtracking and stiff controls, the overall experience is both compelling and memorable. For fans of stealth, fantasy, and classic Metroidvania exploration, this game serves as a rewarding adventure.

Although The Siege of the Sandfox excels in many areas, such as sound design, biome diversity, voice acting, and pixel art, it is hindered by issues like poorly programmed AI, occasional glitches, and crashes; however, fans of the Metroidvania genre should still check it out for its challenging gameplay and unique blend of stealth and parkour, introducing the new "stealthvania" genre.

A old-skool minded metroidvania, unhampered by combat, The Siege and the Sandfox excels in its stealthy confines, creating a dark and masterful labyrinth to explore to your heart's content, but often because you are frustratingly lost.

A beautifully crafted stealth Metroidvania offering rewarding exploration and engaging mechanics, though some players may find the stealth elements require patience.