A retro-inspired 2D Action RPG set in the distant future. CrossCode combines 16-bit SNES-style graphics with butter-smooth physics, a fast-paced combat system, and engaging puzzle mechanics, served with a gripping sci-fi story.
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Another game I've gotta just sit down and put 15 hours into. something about its first few hrs isn't clicking
Crosscode, a game which dares to ask the question: What if Sword Art Online was good? Overall, a great game that is packed with content - took me over 30 hours finishing the main story.
+ Good puzzles, mechanics are well introduced and then ramped in difficulty
+Fun combat, enemies and bosses are all unique and require you to learn their patterns
+Provides a good but fair challenge for the vast majority of the game
+Great art, likable characters
-Some of the boss fights feel like they need an extra checkpoint.
-The interesting parts of the story slow to a crawl in the midgame.
-Most build decisions are pretty uninteresting - usually one of the two combat arts are strictly superior because of the break mechanics.
+ Good puzzles, mechanics are well introduced and then ramped in difficulty
+Fun combat, enemies and bosses are all unique and require you to learn their patterns
+Provides a good but fair challenge for the vast majority of the game
+Great art, likable characters
-Some of the boss fights feel like they need an extra checkpoint.
-The interesting parts of the story slow to a crawl in the midgame.
-Most build decisions are pretty uninteresting - usually one of the two combat arts are strictly superior because of the break mechanics.
CrossCode was an amazing game that manages to somewhat accurately portray the feelings of playing an older style MMORPG while also being a single player experience. From the fun and fast paced combat that provides depth and challenge, to the puzzles that can leave you completely stunned and scratching your brain for tens of minutes, to a story that has lots of great beats, so many things in this game is not only fun but also extremely satisfying to discover, explore, and achieve. This is one of the few games where I would say that having things being so spread out and somewhat obtuse feels like a positive, as searching for the answers online really did remind me of scouring endless forums looks for monster or plant drops to craft new items, or finding clues to solve a quest but needing guidance on where to go next, or stumbling upon questlines that were hidden that gave an interesting reward in ACTUAL MMORPGs and gave me that feeling of community while being offline for my full 37 hours of playtime. The world being populated w/ characters all over just running around, even if they're only a few models, really does help feel like there are so many others playing and experiencing this game with you. And while the story didn't necessarily grip me very early on, and I think the ending for the base game does come up a bit lacking (even the good ending), I think it's still a serviceable story and it leads into the DLC that I'm certain will tie everything up very nicely and add lots of extra content to an already very beefy experience. HIGHLY recommend this game to anyone looking for a good game that will last you a good few weekends but will still respect your time and not make you feel like you need to sell your soul to it.
For fans of: MMORPG Vibes, Twin-stick shooters, Dexterity/Logic Puzzles, RPGs, Collecting.
Story/World:
As someone who grew up playing a lot of World of Warcraft and other such MMOs, I have some nostalgia for playing those games, unfortunately these days I just don't have the time to go back to one. CrossCode does an amazing job of recreating a world that makes you actually believe you are playing an MMO, but in a completely single player game. The dialogue is well crafted to help you forget you are playing by yourself. There are even NPCs running around acting like other players that help with that feeling.
Somehow the way the main character is written, who has only a few lines intentionally, is able to make me feel like she has a personality. The characters you meet along the way have very fun and unique personalities that you can't help but liking. To go with these characters, the story is engaging as well with some mystery to unravel along the way. It's not a totally predictable story either which I always enjoy since it keeps me wanting to see what is next.
Gameplay:
The main structure of the game is focused on a twin-stick style of control. You can throw projectiles or use a melee weapon for hitting things around and use a dodge or shield to protect yourself. Not only do you use these in combat, but they are heavily required in the puzzles throughout the game.
There isn't too much to say about combat other than it offers a good challenge, and each enemy typically has a way that makes it easier to defeat it. You just need to figure out what that is, sometimes it's as easy as being weak to an element, sometimes it's a little more complex like bouncing an attack to hit it's back to stun it.
The puzzles can be quite difficult with timing of actions. Later in the game there are some that require you to do about 15 actions in a row and if you mess up you need to go back and try again. There are no penalties for failing otherwise which is nice, so you can take your time to plan everything out.
While all of this can be quite challenging, the game offers some nice accessibility options such as reducing puzzle speed or reduce incoming damage.
Music:
The music is just fantastic! It brings you back to those classic JRPGs of yester-year. The songs meld into the world, and I found myself never growing tired of hearing them despite constantly hearing them while playing. I can't forget to mention the song that plays when you get an S-Rank Combo, it goes hard and gets you pumped up for the S-Rank farming.
Art:
The game uses the tried and true pixel art and it is quite well done. There are so many different characters and enemies, and besides some colour swaps, they all have very unique designs. Some of the world can be difficult to navigate though with different elevations blending together.
Every new environment stands out from the previous areas, so it's a nice thing to look forward to.
Closing Thoughts:
Overall the game as a package is amazing, it all fits together very well. The collecting of items gives me some of those MMO grinding vibes without overstaying it's welcome. There are some other fun, unique side quests to experience such as a tower defense mini game, as well as some environmental navigating puzzles that reward you with some items.
If you enjoy the random pop culture reference, there are definitely plenty of those strewn about the game, thankfully it isn't hammering you over the head with them.
CrossCode is easily one of my favourite games ever, it just brings me so much nostalgia and happiness when playing, while also giving my brain that tingly feeling of solving or overcoming a difficult challenge.
Story/World:
As someone who grew up playing a lot of World of Warcraft and other such MMOs, I have some nostalgia for playing those games, unfortunately these days I just don't have the time to go back to one. CrossCode does an amazing job of recreating a world that makes you actually believe you are playing an MMO, but in a completely single player game. The dialogue is well crafted to help you forget you are playing by yourself. There are even NPCs running around acting like other players that help with that feeling.
Somehow the way the main character is written, who has only a few lines intentionally, is able to make me feel like she has a personality. The characters you meet along the way have very fun and unique personalities that you can't help but liking. To go with these characters, the story is engaging as well with some mystery to unravel along the way. It's not a totally predictable story either which I always enjoy since it keeps me wanting to see what is next.
Gameplay:
The main structure of the game is focused on a twin-stick style of control. You can throw projectiles or use a melee weapon for hitting things around and use a dodge or shield to protect yourself. Not only do you use these in combat, but they are heavily required in the puzzles throughout the game.
There isn't too much to say about combat other than it offers a good challenge, and each enemy typically has a way that makes it easier to defeat it. You just need to figure out what that is, sometimes it's as easy as being weak to an element, sometimes it's a little more complex like bouncing an attack to hit it's back to stun it.
The puzzles can be quite difficult with timing of actions. Later in the game there are some that require you to do about 15 actions in a row and if you mess up you need to go back and try again. There are no penalties for failing otherwise which is nice, so you can take your time to plan everything out.
While all of this can be quite challenging, the game offers some nice accessibility options such as reducing puzzle speed or reduce incoming damage.
Music:
The music is just fantastic! It brings you back to those classic JRPGs of yester-year. The songs meld into the world, and I found myself never growing tired of hearing them despite constantly hearing them while playing. I can't forget to mention the song that plays when you get an S-Rank Combo, it goes hard and gets you pumped up for the S-Rank farming.
Art:
The game uses the tried and true pixel art and it is quite well done. There are so many different characters and enemies, and besides some colour swaps, they all have very unique designs. Some of the world can be difficult to navigate though with different elevations blending together.
Every new environment stands out from the previous areas, so it's a nice thing to look forward to.
Closing Thoughts:
Overall the game as a package is amazing, it all fits together very well. The collecting of items gives me some of those MMO grinding vibes without overstaying it's welcome. There are some other fun, unique side quests to experience such as a tower defense mini game, as well as some environmental navigating puzzles that reward you with some items.
If you enjoy the random pop culture reference, there are definitely plenty of those strewn about the game, thankfully it isn't hammering you over the head with them.
CrossCode is easily one of my favourite games ever, it just brings me so much nostalgia and happiness when playing, while also giving my brain that tingly feeling of solving or overcoming a difficult challenge.
One of my favourite games of all time, a very engaging (if occasionally anime trope-y) sci fi story, excellent combat and some engaging puzzles, a competent difficulty curve that balances intrinsic and extrinsic gameplay advancement, stellar visual design and a delightful soundtrack. A few of the characters are a little too silly for their own good, but most of the main cast is also fairly well developed. DLC isn't amazing, though -- the original ending is perfectly satisfactory, as well it might be after a metric yonk on Early Access. It's not a game that does anything hugely mindblowing, but Bergen Village is more of a comfort zone for me than the actual bed in which I sleep.
third-person action rpg stuck in a fixed viewpoint