Dustborn

The game is primarily built around player versus environment (PvE) combat involving the player using the power of their language and voices to combat enemies.{{Cite web |title=Dustborn on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/721180/Dustborn/ |access-date=September 3, 2024 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903184715/https://store.steampowered.com/app/721180/Dustborn/ |url-status=live }}{{Failed verification|date=November 2024|reason=The source does not say that the game is primarily built around combat.}} The game also features Guitar Hero-style rhythm minigames.{{Cite web |last=Loveridge |first=Sam |date=June 24, 2024 |title=Dustborn took me on a roadtrip where I fought with words, played Guitar Hero-like rhythm games, and made Telltale-style choices |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/adventure/dustborn-took-me-on-a-roadtrip-where-i-fought-with-words-played-guitar-hero-like-rhythm-games-and-made-telltale-style-choices/ |access-date=August 9, 2024 |website=gamesradar |language=en |archive-date=August 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809200906/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/adventure/dustborn-took-me-on-a-roadtrip-where-i-fought-with-words-played-guitar-hero-like-rhythm-games-and-made-telltale-style-choices/ |url-status=live }}

File:Dustborn characters.png

In the game's alternate reality, John F. Kennedy survived his assassination and established the militarized police force, Justice, to protect the United States from domestic threats. Decades later, Samuel Ward became president and twisted Justice's original purpose to consolidate his power, allowing him to enact draconian laws on the United States, now known as the American Republic. In the year 2000, an event known as the Broadcast spread mind-altering "Echoes" throughout the country and turned a small percentage of the population into Anomals, Protolanguage-wielding people who can use unique powers known as Vocals to influence people and reality. The government enacted martial law and suspended presidential elections while Justice rounded up anyone discovered to be an Anomal.

In the year 2030, the protagonist Pax (Dominique Tipper) is an Anomal living in Pacifica, a country that was once the state of California before seceding from the Republic. Although she sustains herself with minimum wage work and small cons, she seeks to escape to a place where Anomals have rights. A scientist from the Weave resistance, Jacob, recruits Pax for a job to deliver Puritan Protolanguage data to the Weave in exchange for safe haven in Nova Scotia. Pax and her Anomal friends, Noam and Sai, team up with the Weave operative Theo in order to steal data from the Puritans. The crew breaks into the Puritan headquarters, fights against the organization's cyborgs, and copies the data onto a datakey. The crew then drives to La Torre in order to dispose of their getaway car and obtain a tour bus, which is part of the crew's cover story as a punk rock band. The crew also recruits a robot, later known as Caretaker, to drive the bus. Throughout the journey, Pax encounters a Puritan, Axiom, in her dreams, who condemns the negative effect of language on human civilization and beckons her to bring him the ultimate Vocal.

Once the crew enters the American Republic, they recruit various Anomals to their cause while trying to evade Justice and the Puritans. The new recruits include Ziggy in Oregon, Eli in Nevada, Girl and Sol in Colorado, Ophelia in the remains of Kansas, and Nainai in Michigan. The crew also discovers that Justice is secretly kidnapping children to turn into Anomals and that Justice caused the Broadcast for their Protolanguage experiments. The mission faces several setbacks, such as encounters with Justice, the Puritans' constant pursuit, and Sai unexpectedly leaving the crew. In an encounter with Justice in Rotown, Pax receives a near-fatal injury from Prefect Kim, Caretaker sacrifices themself to save Pax, and the datakey is lost. Kim and Praetor Walker confine Pax to a Justice-affiliated hospital, where they interrogate her and are surprised to learn of their superiors' Anomal experiments. When the Puritans attack the hospital, Walker releases Pax, who is then rescued by Sai, Ziggy, and Eli. Once they reunite with the rest of the crew, Sai reveals that Justice blackmailed her to give them the datakey, but she instead gives the crew a secret copy of the datakey before leaving to oppose the government in her own way.

At Schoodic Point, the crew gets into a three-way battle against Justice and the Puritans. At the pier, the Puritan Overseer takes the non-combatants of the crew hostage in order to force Pax to give up the datakey. Pax realizes that her usual brute-force approach to Protolanguage cannot resolve this situation, so she instead uses the empathy she developed throughout the journey to affirm her friends' paths in life. This results in a Vocal that encourages her friends, giving Theo the bravery to defeat most of the Puritans with an EMP device. Axiom kills Theo and attempts to steal Pax's powers, but Girl concentrates a multitude of Echoes into Pax's womb. This allows Pax and her unborn child to unleash a powerful Vocal to defeat Axiom, allowing the crew to mourn Theo, complete the mission, and find their paths in life. After the credits, a robot faction in Rotown reactivates Caretaker's head in order to recruit them.{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Dustborn's politically charged action is a breath of fresh air |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/dustborn-pax-east-2024-hands-on/ |access-date=August 7, 2024 |website=Digital Trends |archive-date=August 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807123457/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/dustborn-pax-east-2024-hands-on/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |first=Autumn |last=Wright |date=June 24, 2024 |title=Dustborn let me smash fascists and flirt with my situationship on a road trip across America |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/adventure/dustborn-let-me-smash-fascists-and-flirt-with-my-situationship-on-a-road-trip-across-america/ |access-date=August 7, 2024 |work=PC Gamer |language=en |archive-date=August 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807123457/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/adventure/dustborn-let-me-smash-fascists-and-flirt-with-my-situationship-on-a-road-trip-across-america/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Handley |first=Zoey |date=July 8, 2024 |title=Dustborn might not be something you want to take on a road trip |url=https://www.destructoid.com/dustborn-might-not-be-something-you-want-to-take-on-a-road-trip/ |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US |archive-date=August 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810130231/https://www.destructoid.com/dustborn-might-not-be-something-you-want-to-take-on-a-road-trip/ |url-status=live }}

File:Dominique Tipper -8- (37339353094).jpg stars as Pax.]]

Red Thread Games and Quantic Dream privately funded most of the game budget, with the developer also receiving over 13.6 million NOK from the Norwegian Film Institute under the scheme "development of games after artistic assessment" (Utvikling av spill etter kunstnerisk vurdering).{{cite web |author1=Red Thread Games |title=Dustborn FAQ :: Dustborn General Discussions |url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/721180/discussions/0/599642275953321087/ |website=steamcommunity.com |publisher=Steam |access-date=12 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206063450/https://steamcommunity.com/app/721180/discussions/0/599642275953321087/ |archive-date=6 February 2025 |language=en}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfi.no/tildelinger-old/utvikling-og-produksjon/dustborn |title=Dustborn |access-date=August 17, 2024 |website=Norwegian Film Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817141701/https://www.nfi.no/tildelinger-old/utvikling-og-produksjon/dustborn |archive-date=August 17, 2024 |url-status=live |language=no}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nfi.no/en/allocations?query=dustborn&year=&program=&grant=&format=&page=1|title=Post-2020 NFI}} Additionally, the game received a grant of €150,000 from the EU's Creative Europe project, and 300,000 NOK from Viken Filmsenter.{{Cite web |title=Dustborn |url=https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe/projects/search/details/612346-CREA-1-2019-1-NO-MED-DEVVG |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=European Commission for Culture and Creativity}}{{cite web |title=Stort spillfokus i årets siste tildelingsrunde |trans-title=Great game focus in the year's last award round |url=https://vikenfilmsenter.no/stort-spillfokus-i-arets-siste-tildelingsrunde/ |access-date=5 September 2024 |website=Viken filmsenter |language=nb-NO |archive-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304011602/https://vikenfilmsenter.no/stort-spillfokus-i-arets-siste-tildelingsrunde/ |url-status=live }}

The game was developed using the Unity engine and the team wrote their custom shaders to accomplish the comic book-inspired look.{{cite interview |date=August 27, 2024 |first=Shubhankar |last=Parijat |title=Dustborn Interview – Setting, Art Style, Choices, and More |url=https://gamingbolt.com/dustborn-interview-setting-art-style-choices-and-more |website=GamingBolt |access-date=September 2, 2024 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828194133/https://gamingbolt.com/dustborn-interview-setting-art-style-choices-and-more |url-status=live }} Due to its character designs, the game was noted by the BBC as experiencing online backlash from those who believe developers are being forced to make their games more diverse, though creative director Ragnar Tørnquist denied the cast's diversity was due to outside pressure, stating that they were targeting a "wider and more diverse audience" than typical games.{{Cite web |first=Tom |last=Richardson |date=25 June 2024 |title=Dustborn: 'No-one forced us to make a game with a diverse cast' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4nnn69l483o |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=BBC |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905041143/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4nnn69l483o |url-status=live }}

In August 2024, the developer released a statement condemning the "tidal wave of hate and abuse" aimed towards them and the game. The publisher released a similar statement affirming their support for the developer and their "zero-tolerance policy for threats, hate speech, or harassment" on their social media platforms.{{cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andy |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/adventure/dustborn-devs-call-out-the-tidal-wave-of-hate-and-abuse-thats-engulfed-the-game-those-who-engage-in-such-behavior-will-be-removed-from-our-community/ |title=Dustborn devs call out the 'tidal wave of hate and abuse' that's engulfed the game: 'Those who engage in such behavior will be removed from our community' |work=PC Gamer |publisher= |date=30 August 2024 |accessdate=2024-09-09 |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912000011/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/adventure/dustborn-devs-call-out-the-tidal-wave-of-hate-and-abuse-thats-engulfed-the-game-those-who-engage-in-such-behavior-will-be-removed-from-our-community/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Shepard |first=Kenneth |url=https://kotaku.com/dustborn-red-thread-games-harassment-abuse-review-woke-1851636977 |title=Dustborn Developers Condemn 'Tidal Wave Of Hate And Abuse' Directed At The Team |work=Kotaku |publisher= |date=August 30, 2024 |accessdate=2024-09-09 |quote=Dustborn publisher Quantic Dream put out its own statement in support of Red Thread Games, saying it stands with the developer against “hate in all its forms.” |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909034327/https://kotaku.com/dustborn-red-thread-games-harassment-abuse-review-woke-1851636977 |url-status=live }}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = (PS5) 69/100{{cite web |title=PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dustborn/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |website=Metacritic |access-date=September 28, 2024 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828194116/https://www.metacritic.com/game/dustborn/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |url-status=live }}
(XSXS) 68/100{{cite web |title=Dustborn Xbox Series X Critic Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dustborn/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |website=Metacritic |access-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824225432/https://www.metacritic.com/game/dustborn/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |url-status=live }}
(PC) 67/100{{cite web |title=Dustborn PC Critic Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dustborn/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |website=Metacritic |access-date=September 28, 2024 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828194119/https://www.metacritic.com/game/dustborn/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live }}

| OC = 48% recommend

| Fam = 32/40{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=August 28, 2024|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/08/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1863|title=Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1863|website=Gematsu|access-date=May 20, 2025}}

| GSpot = 5/10

| IGN = 7/10

| TG = 3/5

}}

Dustborn received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic,{{cite web |title=Dustborn |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dustborn/ |website=Metacritic |access-date=September 4, 2024 |archive-date=September 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902130759/https://www.metacritic.com/game/dustborn/ |url-status=live }} and 48% of critics recommended the game, according to OpenCritic.{{cite web |url=https://opencritic.com/game/17057/dustborn |title=Dustborn |website=OpenCritic |date=August 16, 2024 |access-date=September 4, 2024 |archive-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824063618/https://opencritic.com/game/17057/dustborn |url-status=live }} In Japan, four critics from Famitsu gave the game a total score of 32 out of 40.

Malindy Hetfeld, writing for The Guardian, rated it 3 out of 5. Hetfeld noted the difficult balance as the game attempts "to alternate between fun moments, activism and drama – a balance it ultimately can't hit." Hetfeld enjoyed the game most when it "leans into the silliness of its supernatural storyline" calling it "the equivalent of an interactive Marvel movie, and that is OK."{{cite news |date=August 15, 2024 |last=Hetfeld |first=Malindy |title=Dustborn review – supernatural road trip across an alternative America |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/article/2024/aug/15/dustborn-review-supernatural-road-trip-across-an-alternative-america |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912000121/https://www.theguardian.com/games/article/2024/aug/15/dustborn-review-supernatural-road-trip-across-an-alternative-america |url-status=live }} Rachel Weber of IGN rated it 7 out of 10: "Dustborn brings angst to a comic book caper about an alternate-reality America, and you'll get an emotional ride with a few exciting punk performances if you stick with it through a slow start".{{Cite news |date=August 14, 2024 |last=Weber |first=Rachel |title=Dustborn Review: Have some patience and this punk comic book caper will win you over with its weirdos. |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/dustborn-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814202347/https://www.ign.com/articles/dustborn-review |archive-date=August 14, 2024 |work=IGN |access-date=August 23, 2024 }}

GameSpot reviewer Mark Delaney, rating the game 5 out of 10, called Dustborn "one of the most overtly political and, more specifically, unapologetically leftist games I've ever played", which he felt "makes its early hours very interesting, but it falls apart in the second half due to monotonous combat and a final few chapters that undo the stronger first half".{{Cite web |last=Delaney |first=Mark |date=August 14, 2024 |title=Dustborn Review - Words Hurt |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dustborn-review-words-hurt/1900-6418267/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=GameSpot |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905011720/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dustborn-review-words-hurt/1900-6418267/ |url-status=live }} GameRant commented in its 2 out of 5 review, that while "the diverse cast's goal of fighting back is noble", the "dialogue is irritating and never lets up" and that the "bloated narrative is full of poor or meaningless beats".{{cite web |last=Leri |first=Michael |date=August 14, 2024 |title=Dustborn Review |url=https://gamerant.com/dustborn-review/ |website=GameRant |access-date=September 4, 2024 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828043157/https://gamerant.com/dustborn-review/ |url-status=live }}

PC Gamer{{'}}s Andy Chalk described Dustborn{{'}}s launch sales as "apparently modest". Eurogamer.pt reported the game appeared to launch poorly on Steam with a peak of 83 concurrent players.{{Cite web |last=Salgo |first=Jorge |date=August 22, 2024 |title=Dustborn com lançamento desastroso no Steam |url=https://www.eurogamer.pt/dustborn-com-lancamento-desastroso-no-steam |access-date=September 4, 2024 |website=Eurogamer.pt |language=pt |archive-date=September 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904054948/https://www.eurogamer.pt/dustborn-com-lancamento-desastroso-no-steam |url-status=live }} In an interview with Gamer.no, director Ragnar Tørnquist said that the game sales have significantly exceeded those reported online but fallen below the studio's internal short-term expectations.{{Cite web |last=Lønning |first=Mikkjell |date=October 16, 2024 |title=Dustborn dev opens up after brutal launch: "Caught us completely off guard" |url=https://www.gamer.no/artikler/dustborn-dev-opens-up-after-brutal-launch-caught-us-completely-off-guard/517905 |website=Gamer.no}}

{{Clear}}

Dustborn was nominated in the Outstanding Video Game category at the 36th GLAAD Media Awards.{{cite web |last1=Nightingale |first1=Ed |title=Nintendo nominated for GLAAD award for trans representation in Paper Mario |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-nominated-for-glaad-award-for-trans-representation-in-paper-mario |publisher=Eurogamer |access-date=9 June 2025 |language=en |date=22 January 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Blake |first1=Vikki |title=Nintendo, BioWare amongst nominees for outstanding video game at 36th GLAAD Media Awards |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-bioware-amongst-nominees-for-outstanding-video-game-at-36th-glaad-media-awards |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=9 June 2025 |language=en |date=22 January 2025}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{Official website|https://www.wearethedustborn.com/|name=Official website}}
• {{Official website|https://www.redthreadgames.com/dustborn|name=Developer's website}}

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Category:2024 video games

Category:Action-adventure games

Category:Cultural depictions of John F. Kennedy

Category:Dystopian video games

Category:PlayStation 4 games

Category:PlayStation 5 games

Category:Red Thread Games

Category:Science fiction video games

Category:Single-player video games

Category:Totalitarianism in fiction

Category:Video games developed in Norway

Category:Video games featuring black protagonists

Category:Video games featuring female protagonists

Category:Video games set in 2030

Category:Video games set in fictional countries

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Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games

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Category:Quantic Dream