The Siege and the Sandfox

Released

Release Date: May 20, 2025

The Siege and the Sandfox is a 2D platformer with sneaking elements, reminiscent of the Metroid and Castlevania series. In a lonely desert city, the hero is wrongly accused of murdering the king. Unlawfully sentenced to imprisonment in dungeons, he must find his way to the surface and clear his name. Only truth can prevent the collapse of the kingdom.

7.0

Steam

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Story
Mechanics
Technical aspects

The Siege and the Sandfox is a combination of a classic two-dimensional metroidvania with a stealth game. The small independent studio Cardboard Sword, whose have previously worked on titles such as Forza Horizon 3 or Not a Hero, is responsible for its development.

Story

The story focuses on the character of a murderer roaming a huge city - a true Persian gem, located deep in the sands of the desert. Now the metropolis is besieged by an enemy army, and the hero was unlucky enough to witness the assassination of its ruler. Worse still, he was framed for the assassination. When thrown into the dungeon, the villain must get out of the labyrinth of underground corridors and reveal the truth to the world. The future of the city depends on the success of his mission.

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Mechanics

The game uses the basic mechanics of classic 2D platform games like Metroid or Castlevania series. The rogue is also a good acrobat - he can climb, jumping from wall to wall, overcome gaps with accurately measured jumps and grab onto elements protruding from the walls.

The hero is a character holding on to the shadows, so you can easily notice the focus on stealth mechanics, reminiscent of Mark of the Ninja. The rogue uses dark nooks and crannies to avoid the enemy forces, secretly opens locks, kills only as a last resort and prefers to stun victims with a wooden club. He also has to worry about the noise generated by his steps, e.g. the sand under his feet enables him to run noiselessly, while the clattering of shoes on a stone floor will draw the attention of every guard in the area. The anxious opponents don't spare their resources to find the hero if they only discover something suspicious in the area. As the game progresses, the thief also unlocks further skills and equipment that enable him to return to the areas he's already visited to explore previously inaccessible corridors.

Technical aspects

The Siege and the Sandfox is based on a technologically advanced Unreal Engine 4 technology, more precisely its 2D Paper module for 2D visuals. In the game, the technology has resulted in an eye-catching system of light and shadow, which complements the very detailed pixelart graphics. Also noteworthy is the music reminiscent of oriental arrangements, which are the hallmark of the Prince of Persia series.

Platforms:

PC Windows

Developer: Cardboard Sword

Publisher: Deep Silver / Plaion

Age restrictions: 12+

Similar Games:

Shank 2

Mark of the Ninja

Wildfire

Features

System Requirements

System Requirements for The Siege and the Sandfox Video Game:

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i3-7100, 8 GB RAM, graphic card Intel UHD 630, 1.2 GB HDD, Windows 11.

Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-10400, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 1650, 1.2 GB HDD, Windows 11.

Ratings

Game Ratings for The Siege and the Sandfox Video Game.

70%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Mostly Positive (47)

STEAM

Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Visuals and Art Style: The pixel art is widely praised for its beauty and detail, creating an immersive atmosphere.
Narration and Sound Design: The voice acting, particularly by Amelia Tyler, adds a captivating layer to the gameplay. The sound design complements the visuals well, enhancing the overall experience.
Stealth Mechanics: Many players appreciate the stealth-focused gameplay, which allows for creative problem-solving and exploration without direct combat.
Movement and Platforming: The parkour mechanics are generally well-received, providing fluid movement that aligns with the stealth theme.
Atmosphere: The game captures a unique Arabian Nights aesthetic, and players enjoy the ambiance it creates.

The main cons of the game

Bugs and Technical Issues: A significant number of players report various bugs, including issues with enemy AI, rendering problems, and game crashes. These bugs often disrupt gameplay and can lead to frustration.
Inconsistent Controls: Some players find the controls to be unresponsive or finicky, leading to missed jumps and other gameplay issues. This is particularly noted in platforming sections.
Checkpoint System: The automatic checkpoint system is criticized for being inconvenient, as players often have to replay large sections of the game after dying or encountering bugs.
Lack of Combat Mechanics: While some enjoy the focus on stealth, others feel the absence of combat options limits gameplay variety and depth.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to s

Improved Enemy AI: Players desire more sophisticated enemy behavior and detection systems to enhance the stealth experience.
Combat Options: Many players express a wish for additional combat mechanics or tools to provide more gameplay variety and engagement.
Quality of Life Improvements: Suggestions include better quest tracking, clearer map indicators, and the ability to save manually.
Exploration Rewards: s mention a lack of meaningful rewards for exploration, such as collectibles that provide more than just lore or aesthetic value.

Summary

Overall, while The Siege and the Sandfox has garnered praise for its artistic presentation and innovative stealth mechanics, it is hindered by technical issues and a lack of depth in gameplay features, leading to mixed reviews from players.

Summary generated on: June 2, 2025

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