XBOX REVIEW | Twins Of The Sun

Twins of the Sun is a handcrafted action-adventure from indie studio COMMANDO PANDA, offering a vibrant journey through ancient temples, tangled jungles, and shimmering ruins. Built around the bond between twin siblings, the game invites players, either solo or in two-player local co-op, to explore a world rich in colour and mystery. Blending puzzle-solving, light platforming, and gentle combat, it’s a game that favours warmth over spectacle, with an art style and atmosphere that feel personal and quietly expressive.

With an adaptive orchestral soundtrack and a focus on shared discovery, Twins of the Sun reflects Commando Panda’s mission: to connect players through expressive art and imaginative, cooperative gameplay.

Things I liked!

• Graphics | Visually, Twins of the Sun doesn’t aim for technical spectacle, but its cartoonlike art style brings a gentle charm to the adventure. Presented in an isometric viewpoint, the environments, jungles, mines, temples, are painted with broad, expressive strokes that lend warmth and clarity to each stage. While the graphics aren’t groundbreaking by any measure, they serve the game’s tone well, adding personality and appeal without overwhelming the action. The animation is consistently smooth throughout, and I never encountered any visual bugs or glitches during my time with Twins of the Sun. It’s a style that feels handcrafted rather than high-budget, and that simplicity helps keep the focus on gameplay.

Mixed & disliked!

• Gameplay | The bright, inviting visuals immediately draw you in, but Twins of the Sun struggles to maintain that initial spark. Across 25 levels spread over five themed areas, the gameplay loop quickly becomes predictable: defeat waves of enemies until a progress bar fills, then move on. The twin-stick setup is simple, move with the left stick, swing your Stone Hammer with the right, and jump using A or the right trigger. Holding the right stick to attack slows your movement, adding a hint of strategy, though it’s not enough to counter the overall flat pacing. One of the most frustrating aspects is reaching the brink of completion, just pixels away from filling the bar, only to die and be sent back to the start. It’s a harsh reset that clashes with the game’s otherwise gentle tone. For those who do enjoy the combat, each level includes a three-star rating system based on performance, offering a reason to replay and refine your approach. Power-ups like shield orbs and temporary boosts provide brief moments of variety, while magical columns later in the game dispense health or buffs. However, the rewards are random, and I encountered several levels where no health dropped at all. Co-op play introduces a sense of shared momentum, with both players reviving at the start of the next level if one falls. It’s a generous mechanic, though it doesn’t fundamentally change how the game plays. The Wand of the Gods, a ranged magical weapon found on select levels, is the only alternative to the Stone Hammer. It’s a refreshing shift, but fleeting, and the absence of additional weapon options makes combat feel limited. Thankfully, a handful of puzzle segments help break up the action. Matching directional patterns across columns (e.g. left, left, right, left) adds a welcome change of pace, often appearing at the start or end of a level. These moments are simple but satisfying, and I genuinely enjoyed them. Boss battles are where Twins of the Sun shines brightest: more dynamic, better paced, and far more engaging than the standard encounters. I just wish the rest of the game carried that same energy.

• Sound | While the sound effects are solid, explosions land with satisfying impact, the Stone Hammer swings with weighty crunch, and ambient noises add texture to jungle and temple environments, the music itself feels less distinctive. The adaptive orchestral score is pleasant enough, but it tends to blur into the background, with little variation between stages. Aside from a few tempo shifts during boss battles or high-stakes moments, the soundtrack rarely evolves in a way that reflects the emotional or narrative beats of the game. It’s serviceable, but ultimately forgettable, missing the kind of melodic hooks or dynamic shifts that could have elevated key scenes.
  
  
• Story | There’s very little story to be found in Twins of the Sun. As you begin playing, a brief cutscene shows the twins’ other sister being taken by a mysterious figure into the jungle. The twins then set off to rescue her, unless you’re playing solo, in which case only one sister sets off. Upon completing the game, you’re met with a simple screen before being returned to the main title. I expected a little more here; it’s a very disappointing ending.

How long did I play the review before publishing? 4 Hours
How long to beat the story? 90 Minutes
How many Achievements did I earn before publishing? 14/16 OR 700/1000G
How long to achieve 1000G | 5 Hours+
You’ll love this game if you like these | Young Souls and Cat Quest 3

CONCLUSION

Score: 50/100

Twins of the Sun swings for charm, but its Stone Hammer gets stuck in a gameplay rut.

 Twins of the Sun is a visually charming and gently paced adventure that shines brightest in its co-op spirit and handcrafted aesthetic. While its expressive art style and occasional puzzle segments offer moments of delight, the repetitive combat loop and sparse storytelling leave the experience feeling underdeveloped. Despite flashes of creativity, especially in boss battles, the game struggles to sustain its initial warmth, ultimately delivering a journey that’s pleasant but forgettable.