The Siege and the Sandfox is a 2D platformer that requires you to navigate an ancient city in order to make it to the palace. This action game from Cardboard Sword mixes in stealth and parkour elements to provide a thrilling gameplay experience.

The Siege and the Sandfox is quite similar to games like Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania, where players must battle a number of enemies and collect items that they can use to equip their characters with. You’ll also have to find new weapons that can help you defeat stronger boss enemies.

An immersive Metroidvania game

Players can look forward to a vast world in The Siege and the Sandfox. With a sizable map and numerous areas that you can unlock as you progress through the game, there is a wide variety of sights and sounds for you to explore. All of this is presented in a stunning 16-bit format that takes you back to your original arcade games. 

The various areas of the available maps each have unique enemies and treasures, which you will have to scour for by either battling opponents or evading their sight. In addition to this, you also have the freedom to choose from a number of different characters, each with their own strengths and abilities. You can also build them however you’d like by supplying them with your chosen weapons.

This platformer also presents a gripping storyline that’s packed with lore and other easter eggs that add substance to its plot. However, players should also keep in mind that the game can present a challenge, especially for new players who have no experience playing similar titles within the genre. No worries, though, since you can easily respawn and continue playing without losing all of the progress you’ve made.

Post-launch patch smooths out early hiccups

Following its initial release, The Siege and the Sandfox received a patch that addressed several technical and gameplay issues, helping to smooth out rough edges in both performance and immersion. The update fixed common complaints like quirky enemy behaviors, such as sliding through doors or getting stuck on ladders.

Several immersion-breaking bugs tied to Dogs have been resolved. Dogs no longer detect the Sandfox while asleep, and their smell-based sensing now deactivates correctly when out of range. Their behavior around ladders has also been improved. Additionally, quality-of-life tweaks include a faster walk speed for the Dead Hand Boneways patrol.

Combat received slight but impactful upgrades. Ranged attack projectiles now display collision particle effects, adding visual clarity. These tweaks, while subtle, make the game feel more fluid without changing the overall balance or pace. Altogether, the update reflects thoughtful developer attention, reinforcing confidence in future updates and long-term community support.

Tricky but entertaining

Although The Siege and the Sandfox does have a bit of a steep learning curve, players can still greatly enjoy the unique gameplay it presents alongside the stunning in-game world that it has built. With numerous playable characters that you can equip with various items, there’s no single way to play the game, especially with different monsters and enemies lurking around.