Does a sentient durian belong in a Norse roguelite? Surprisingly — yes.

Duriano is one of those rare indie games that catches your eye with its concept, but keeps you playing with its execution. A roguelite set in a fractured mythological world where fruit-shaped heroes channel divine powers sounds bizarre on paper — and it is — but behind the quirky exterior lies a fast, polished, and addictive experience worth your time.

Here’s our full breakdown of Duriano, covering graphics, gameplay, and overall value.

Graphics – Stylized, Expressive, and Consistently Surprising

Duriano doesn’t chase realism — it builds a world that’s cohesive, creative, and full of personality. The characters, especially the playable heroes, are bold and distinct, blending cartoon absurdity with mythic gravitas. From spectral archers and flame beasts to ancient god-like artifacts, everything feels purposeful and full of flair.

The environments vary from volcanic chambers and haunted crypts to divine altars laced with glowing runes. Visual effects, like slow-motion dodges and explosive spell bursts, are both satisfying and readable — critical for a fast-paced action game.

Animations are fluid, and attack feedback is tight, which keeps the action feeling punchy. While the visuals don’t push technical boundaries, they carry a strong and consistent style that supports gameplay clarity and thematic immersion.

Verdict:

• Strong artistic direction
• Excellent readability during combat
• A perfect mix of charm and atmosphere
  
  

Gameplay – Deep Systems with High Replay Value

At its core, Duriano is a roguelite that respects your decisions. Every run is shaped by a mix of Gods’ Trails, Fate’s Flavors, weapons, and hero choice — and nearly every choice has meaningful synergy potential.

What Makes It Stand Out:

• Gods’ Trails: Passive paths inspired by Norse gods that reward focused builds with powerful resonance abilities. Each trail feels distinct and evolves with you during a run.
• Heroes: With different stats and passive effects, the heroes aren’t just cosmetic — they push you toward unique playstyles, whether it’s stacking evasion, maximizing HP, or scaling through magic.
• Combat: Fast, dodge-heavy, and satisfying. Timing matters, and perfect dodges are rewarded with stylish slow-motion windows.
• Progression: Like the best roguelites, it’s about learning and improving — not grinding stats. Death resets your run but teaches you something.
  
  

Each run encourages experimentation. There’s room to master the mechanics, but also enough randomness to stay fresh without feeling punishingly chaotic.

Verdict:

• Well-balanced systems
• High replayability
• Skill-based progression and satisfying pacing
  
  

Value – A Lot of Game for a Low Entry Price

Duriano is still in Early Access, but it already offers:

• 7 distinct heroes
• Dozens of augments, fates, and blessings
• Procedurally generated chambers and varied boss encounters
• Fully functional builds with real depth

Frequent updates and an active dev team (Adisoft) mean new content is coming regularly. What’s already here feels polished and well-thought-out, and the early access pricing makes this a low-risk investment for fans of the genre.

And yes — despite the fruit theme, this is no joke game. It’s a real roguelite with strategic depth.

Verdict:

• Affordable
• Actively supported
• Surprising amount of polish for early access
  
  

Final Thoughts – It’s Weird, It’s Smart, It’s Worth Playing

Duriano might catch your attention with its quirky concept — but it keeps you coming back with its mechanics. It manages to blend Norse mythology, fast-paced roguelite combat, and a truly unique identity into something that’s both fun and surprisingly deep.

Whether you’re looking for your next roguelite obsession or just want to see what happens when a fruit becomes a god-slayer, Duriano is absolutely worth trying.

Available now in Early Access on Steam.

📥 Download Duriano now on Steam!