Demon Tides Review – A Stylish 3D Platformer Packed with Depth, Even If It Won’t Convert Everyone

Introduction

I’ve always had an appreciation for 3D platformers, but I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard fan of the genre. In fact, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found myself bouncing off them more often than not. Still, every now and then, a game comes along that makes me want to give the genre another shot.

That’s where Demon Tides comes in.

Developed by Fabraz, this sequel to Demon Turf delivers a colorful, expressive platforming experience packed with mechanics, customization, and a surprising focus on story. Even though I didn’t play the original, Demon Tides does a solid job getting newcomers up to speed.

While it didn’t completely convert me into a 3D platformer enthusiast, there’s no denying that this game does a lot right.

Narrative

One of the biggest surprises in Demon Tides is how much emphasis it places on its story.

You play as Luci—alongside returning protagonist Beebz, the newly crowned Queen of the Underworld—as the crew sets sail to meet Ragnar, a mysterious figure claiming to be Beebz’s father. What follows is a story that explores identity, consequence, and reflection on past actions.

This isn’t your typical “get from point A to point B” platformer narrative. Beebz actually has a character arc. She questions her past decisions, especially her brutal takeover of the Underworld, and you see real growth throughout the journey.

That level of character development is rare for the genre, and it adds a layer of emotional depth that helps Demon Tides stand out.

Gameplay

At its core, Demon Tides is a high-mobility 3D platformer that emphasizes freedom and player expression.

Movement feels fluid and versatile, with mechanics that will feel familiar to anyone who’s played something like Super Mario Odyssey. You’ve got your standard jumps, triple jumps, wall jumps, and flips—but the real star here is the transformation system.

Beebz can shift into multiple forms:

• A bat for double jumping
  
• A spin form for gliding
  
• A snake for high-speed ground traversal
  

Each transformation adds a new layer to traversal, and when combined, they create a movement system that’s both flexible and expressive.

Then there are Talismans, which are easily one of the best features in the game. These modifiers allow you to customize your abilities—adding extra jumps, glide mechanics, or even completely changing how your moves behave. For players who struggle (like me), certain talismans can make a huge difference in accessibility.

The world itself is structured around open-ended exploration, with islands full of challenges like races, platforming trials, collectibles, and hidden secrets. There’s always something to do, and completionists will find plenty to sink their teeth into.

However, not everything lands perfectly.

The camera can be inconsistent, especially in tighter environments. There were moments where it actively worked against me—something that’s especially frustrating in a precision platformer. The manual checkpoint system, which requires planting flags, also adds an extra layer of friction that didn’t always feel necessary.

Pros

Demon Tides excels in giving players a sense of freedom and creativity through its movement system. The combination of transformations and talismans allows for a wide range of playstyles, making traversal feel dynamic and rewarding. On top of that, the game’s open-ended structure encourages exploration in a way that feels natural rather than forced.

Another standout is the unexpected depth of its narrative. Seeing actual character growth in a 3D platformer is rare, and it gives the experience more weight than most games in the genre.

Visually, the game is vibrant and charming, with a nostalgic early-2000s aesthetic that feels both modern and classic at the same time. There’s also a surprising amount of content here, with tons of collectibles, challenges, and customization options that give the game strong replay value.

Cons

Despite its strengths, Demon Tides is held back by a few notable issues. The camera can be unreliable, particularly in tighter sections where precision matters most. For players who already struggle with 3D platformers, this can turn challenging moments into frustrating ones.

The checkpoint system, while interesting in concept, can feel like an unnecessary burden. Forgetting to plant a flag can result in lost progress, which disrupts the flow of gameplay.

Performance is another mixed bag, especially on Steam Deck. While the game is playable and even enjoyable at 40 FPS, it doesn’t always maintain consistency on higher settings, which may be disappointing for players expecting smoother performance.

Lastly, while the game is packed with features and mechanics, it may not be enough to win over players who simply aren’t fans of the genre. In my case, I appreciated what it was doing—but it didn’t fully pull me in.

Overall / Should You Play

Demon Tides is a feature-rich and creatively designed 3D platformer that clearly understands what makes the genre fun.

It offers deep movement mechanics, meaningful customization, and a surprisingly thoughtful story—all wrapped in a vibrant and nostalgic presentation. For fans of 3D platformers, this is an easy recommendation.

For others, like myself, it’s a bit more complicated.

I had a good time with Demon Tides, and I can absolutely recognize its quality. But it didn’t completely change how I feel about the genre. This feels less like a flaw of the game and more like a mismatch in taste.

Still, if you’re even remotely into 3D platformers, this is one you should check out.