You'd think Dustforce would explain to you that the four characters play slightly differently from one another, with varying hit boxes for their attacks, speed, etc., but I had to do additional research to make sure. The replays also show you which character has the best chance at getting the perfect rating. They're not only awesome and humbling to watch, but great instructional videos that show ideas you may not have thought of, or ways to combine moves that open up new options. To this end Dustforce lets you watch the replays of the current top 10 players in the world.

Levels often offer up multiple paths, so deciding when to use your charged up ultra attack (which clears an area immediately), or what's the best way to circle through the environment in a whirlwind of feather dusters or brooms is paramount. With the exception of the occasional straight-forward level, the key to cleaning like a pro comes down to figuring out the best route. A misstep only moments away from the end of a level is infuriating, but the platforming is just so much fun, the levels created in such a way that they feel like a playground, that I can't help but come back for more. I want that endorphin release so badly that I willingly play a level over and over, failing and restarting until, sweating and anxious, I force myself to take a break. Sure, I may have almost smashed something while playing Dustforce, but the moment where everything comes together and I nail the level pushes my buttons in ways I have a hard time explaining. I don't know what it says about me, but I like the punishment. I know, I know, it's a PC game, but trust me, Dustforce works and feels like it was designed for a gamepad. The keyboard controls just don't allow the same fluidity of motion as an analog stick. You'll be seeing a lot of lower grades if you don't suck it up and plug in a control pad. Dustforce demands perfection, and will kick your ego in the face with bad letter grades until you master a stage. Earning a coveted S rating for both Completion and Finesse is the only way to open the many locked stages, so, if you want to play more than the first few levels of any area, failure isn't really an option. You live to do two things: maintain your combo score by constantly cleaning and avoiding damage, as well as get through the levels as fast as possible. You play as one of four badass cleaners, using their ninja-like agility to pounce around the environment and save it from dirt and grime. Dustforce essentially shows what would happen if a Jedi Academy washout decided to be janitor.

Dustforce art