Dan the Man: Action Platformer

Review by eFreeware

The headline addition to Dan the Man is online co-op: a beat-up-the-horde mode where two players share the screen, either with a friend or through a quick match search that pairs you with a stranger. That is the most distinctive thing about the game, and it shapes everything else, because a retro brawler built around two Dans fighting side by side plays differently from one built around a lone hero.

It comes from Halfbrick Studios, it is free to download, and it has been out since October 2016. The install numbers are large, over 100 million, and the average sits at 4.7 from more than two million ratings. If you like arcade platformers with pixel art, short bursts of combat and a bit of character progression between runs, this is squarely in your lane.

Retro looks, modern arcade pacing

The presentation is deliberately old-school: pixel art in the style of classic arcade cabinets, with platforming, fighting and a steady stream of enemies. The developer describes it as an indie-flavored take on the genre, and the story is pitched as a funny one that runs alongside the action rather than interrupting it. I like that combination on principle, because a brawler lives or dies on how quickly it gets you into the fight.

A web series precedes the game. That is an unusual bit of world-building for a mobile arcade title, and it tells you the tone is meant to be light rather than grim. It explains why the characters have a bit more personality than the average pixel sprite.

Four ways to play, one upgrade loop

The game is organized into modes rather than a single progression path. Campaign Mode follows Dan through a new stage in the series, Endless Survival keeps throwing enemies at you while you chase a spot on the rankings, Adventure Mode bundles challenges and unlocks exclusive skins and prizes, and Multiplayer Mode covers the co-op side. All of them are free to play, according to the developer.

Between modes you spend time on your characters. Upgrading a favorite unlocks new abilities and longer combos, which is the kind of progression that rewards repeat sessions without demanding them. I would expect the upgrade curve to be the main reason to keep returning, since a brawler with more moves at your disposal is a different game from one where you only have a basic attack.

The modes cover different moods well. Campaign is for following the story, Endless Survival is for score chasing, Adventure Mode is for bite-sized objectives, and co-op is for playing with someone else. Having all four in one free download is a generous structure, and it means you are not forced into one style of play to make progress.

Combat, coins and the enemies in your way

Fights are built around clearing out crowds. The developer lists soldiers, robots, bats and epic bosses among the enemies you will face, and the co-op mode is framed around taking them down together. Coins matter too, and the advice to grab them all suggests they are worth collecting rather than being pure decoration.

The arsenal is described as epic and varied, with weapons that would make a heroic hero envious. I would read that as a combat system with more than one approach rather than a strict loadout screen, since the emphasis throughout is on fighting skills and combos. The pitch is aimed at hardcore action platformer fans and indie game lovers, which sets expectations for a certain amount of challenge.

Boss fights are called out specifically, and that is usually where a game like this shows whether its combat has depth. A crowd of ordinary enemies can be handled with repeated attacks; a boss forces you to learn timing and use the abilities you have unlocked. Whether the bosses live up to that is the thing I would want to find out first.

Building a hero of your own

Beyond upgrading the existing cast, you can customize your own character with skins and clothing, which add extra advantages in combat. That is a meaningful distinction: it is a way to tune your fighter toward the way you like to play.

Customization plus upgrades gives the game two layers of progression, one for the roster and one for your own creation. If you enjoy tinkering with builds, that is likely to be the most interesting part of the package. If you would rather just fight, the modes are there without requiring you to engage with the customization system first.

Playing with a friend, or a stranger

The co-op mode is the most requested feature of all time, and it is a classic split-screen brawler brought online. You can invite a friend or use quick match to be paired with another player for an instant fight. Two players working together against the same army is the core idea.

What appeals to me about this is the flexibility. Not everyone has someone available to play with at the moment they want to, and a quick match option removes that obstacle. The developer's framing is that two Dans are better than one, and the mode is built around that premise rather than around competition.

Co-op also changes how the upgrade system reads. Combos and abilities that feel like personal tools in single-player become team tools when someone else is on screen with you. That is a different kind of satisfaction, and it is the main reason the multiplayer update is worth paying attention to even if you have played the campaign before.

Costs, ads and the fine print

The game is free to download and contains ads. Optional in-app purchases can be turned off in your device's settings menu.

One permission is explained as covering network and Wi-Fi checks, which the developer ties to keeping the game updated, cloud saves and serving ads where applicable. The same note says the game can be played offline. That matters if you often play somewhere without a reliable connection.

The content rating is Teen, which is consistent with an arcade brawler full of punching and kicking. Push notifications cover events and features, so you may want to decide early whether you want those enabled.

Recent updates and platform support

The most recent update adds physical keyboard controls for gameplay and menus, along with Google Play Games on PC support. Twelve languages are supported for those controls, and that setup needs no touchscreen or Wi-Fi. Achievements now sync with Google Play too. For anyone who prefers a keyboard to a touchscreen, this is a substantial addition.

The same update also brings continued bug fixes. Taken together, the changes suggest a game that is still being worked on rather than left as-is, which is reassuring for something that has been available for years and carries a large install base.

If you are coming to Dan the Man now, you are arriving at a version with more ways to play than it launched with. Campaign, Endless Survival, Adventure Mode, co-op, customization and keyboard support are all part of the current package, and that is a lot of ground for a free download.

A brawler for players who like a crowd to punch

Dan the Man is a good fit if you want arcade action with pixel art, a story that does not take itself seriously, and combat that rewards upgrading your fighter. The four modes give you reasons to return, and the co-op option adds a social layer. The 4.7 average from over two million ratings suggests a lot of players have found something here worth staying for.

It is less suited to someone looking for a slow, tactical platformer. The emphasis is on fighting crowds, chasing rankings and building up characters, and the game is upfront about being an action-first arcade title. If that sounds like your kind of thing, the free download makes it an easy one to try.

What's new in version 1.14.05

Yet another update with yet more awesomeness coming your way! Here’s the details: - Physical keyboard and Google Play Games on PC: Keyboard controls in gameplay and menus, Input SDK 1.1.1-beta, controls localized into 12 languages, and no touchscreen or Wi-Fi required. - Achievements: Achievements now stay in sync with Google Play. - More fixes: Still swatting them bugs!