DaRmaZat The Little Brave introduces players to a mystical forest plagued by a dark force known as the Warden Faer, who has vanquished the magical protectors, the First Wardens. Keely, a creature that could easily be the protagonist of an indie version of Biomutant, is chosen to restore peace and magic to the realm.
The premise is intriguing, and the adventure kicks off with a promising emotional hook: Keely’s younger sister, Weyka, is kidnapped by a giant bat named Shirak. However, as the game progresses, the storytelling remains shallow. The world-building never fully expands beyond its basic setup, and the narrative feels like an afterthought rather than a driving force.
Clawed Combat and Puzzling Paths
The Little Brave positions itself as a 2D action-adventure Metroidvania, but its mechanics feel clunky and unpolished. Combat is a blend of ranged and melee attacks—players can shoot stones with a slingshot, throw torches, or swing various weapons. Unfortunately, combat lacks fluidity. Enemy attack patterns are difficult to read, making encounters feel more like random luck than skill-based engagements. Button-mashing is often the only viable strategy, but it never feels satisfying.
Puzzles are another weak point. Some require throwing stones at objects, while others simply demand holding a button near an object. The inconsistency in puzzle design makes them feel more like chores than meaningful challenges. Additionally, certain mechanics feel outdated, such as having to repeatedly press a button to pick up individual stones instead of allowing a simple button-hold action.
One bright spot is the checkpoint system. Auto-saves are frequent and well-placed, preventing unnecessary frustration. However, even this positive aspect cannot offset the many frustrations that arise from poor combat balance and awkward puzzle design.
A Blurred Forest With Broken Echoes
At first glance, The Little Brave boasts a charming art style, but the technical execution falls short. The game suffers from ghosting effects, and with no resolution settings available, the visuals often appear blurry. After alt-tabbing, the screen becomes entirely unfocused until the game is paused. On top of that, frame skips occur regularly, making the already stiff gameplay feel even more jarring.
The game features a mix of AI-generated voiceovers and traditional sound design, but the results are mixed at best. Some voices are passable, while others feel unnecessary and detract from immersion. Keely himself has a soft, almost comedic voice that makes him come across as naïve, which may not be the intended effect.
The music is one of the few highlights—its medieval tunes wouldn’t feel out of place in a game like The Witcher. However, the sound effects are repetitive and can quickly become irritating. Worse, audio often cuts off abruptly when transitioning between areas or after defeating enemies. In some cases, sound effects continue playing even after death, adding to the game’s overall lack of polish.
Conclusion
Despite some promising ideas, The Little Brave feels unfinished. Its score, the ability to save anywhere and the solid checkpoint system are appreciated, but they don’t make up for the game’s fundamental flaws. Combat is clunky and unbalanced, puzzles feel tedious, and both visuals and sound design suffer from technical issues. In its current state, The Little Brave struggles to justify its existence in a genre filled with far superior alternatives. With major improvements, it could become a competent indie experience, but as it stands, it’s hard to recommend.
Additional Information
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Reviewed On: PC. Download code provided by developer and publisher.
Developer: Dmitrii Batov
Publisher: Dmitrii Batov
Official Website: https://www.thelittlebrave.games
Relevant links: The Little Brave on STEAM
