Xanadu Next Reviews

Xanadu Next is ranked in the 86th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10.0
Dec 2, 2016

Xanadu Next is an excellent action RPG which will undoubtedly keep players coming back for more for the duration of its 15 hours long adventure. Nihon Falcom has expertly crafted an engaging mix of exploration, puzzle solving and combat that can stand proudly beside other classics in the genre.

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4 / 5.0
Nov 3, 2016

Xanadu Next may be a little dated in today’s terms, but that didn’t stop it from being an enjoyable experience for me in the slightest. Despite already having over 10 years on its track record, Xanadu Next still managed to provide a very engaging and entertaining experience that never once let me down.

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Nov 17, 2016

Xanadu Next is a very surprising game in that it holds up extremely well. Some old games simply don’t work or just feel rough in comparison to games today. Xanadu Next really seems to avoid most of those troublesome elements even though it’s not shy of a few issues here and there.

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6.8 / 10.0
Nov 22, 2016

On a whole I loved playing Xanadu Next. It does have controller interface issues if you are using a real controller and the key system that was put into place could be annoying but that’s all it was. A minor annoyance compared to the rest. The skill system is a lot of fun to use especially when passive abilities are discovered such as adding fire to your weapon or being able to do more damage from behind. All of these little features add up to a fun Action Adventure RPG that takes place in an interesting interconnected environment.

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Nov 30, 2016

The dungeon design is very strong and the structure makes the game light on backtracking. Unless you run out of keys, you'll always be pushing through new areas, uncovering new loot, fighting challenging new foes and gradually growing stronger. Xanadu Next isn't a perfect experience, but those willing to master the controls will find a satisfying title that's absolutely worth playing through.

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9 / 10
Nov 3, 2016

For fans of Falcom’s works, dungeon crawlers, action RPGs, or just anyone looking for a new addiction, I can’t recommend Xanadu Next highly enough.

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GameSpew
Top Critic
8 / 10
Nov 11, 2016

Xanadu Next is a charming RPG title that seems to have sprung out of the past for new life. It reminds us of the old-school principles of gaming, with labyrinthine levels, a vast array of enemies… and an off-beat lore centred around an epic English poem.

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Cubed3
Top Critic
9 / 10
Nov 16, 2016

It's not uncommon for a video game to borrow ideas from other titles. However, it is very rare to see something like Xanadu Next. It takes full advantage of every influence to deliver an absolutely terrific adventure. The engaging combat is bolstered by a variety of sub-systems. These ideas are seemingly disparate in their inclusion yet harmonious in their execution, which is exactly why they work together to create something very unique and impressive. Despite being released in 2005 by a developer that didn't have a lot of experience with 3D graphics, the game has aged quite gracefully. Falcom's sound team delivers an atmospheric soundtrack that is simply stunning. Altogether, this makes for a classic game that genre enthusiasts should pick up immediately.

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7.5 / 10.0
Jan 16, 2017

Xanadu Next is the kind of throwback action-RPG that we don't see much of anymore. It lets the story trickle out slowly while all of the needed mechanics are presented early, leaving the player without a guide much sooner than contemporary JRPGs. It helps that the gameplay is strong, and the difficulty can be appreciated more now that the public seems to dig games that punish the player. It's not a game for everyone, and some won't like the older presentation, but genre fans will appreciate that this title has an official translation and can play on more modern machines.

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GameGrin
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Dec 26, 2016

One of those games that can be appreciated regardless of how long it’s been around – Xanadu Next makes some brilliant use of videogame elements that we have all come to love, and although the player often lacks meaningful choice the game is never truly restrictive.

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7.5 / 10.0
Dec 7, 2016

Xanadu Next is a game from a different time, but lovers of older titles and RPG fans will find something to love here.

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4 / 5.0
Nov 28, 2016

While Xanadu Next is buggy and its menus just plain busted for controller use, the rest of the game is a wonderful trip through a classic JRPG world.

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9.5 / 10.0
Nov 14, 2016

Xanadu Next encapsulates the design philosophies of the early-to-mid 2000's Falcom, culminating in one of the best PC games I've played in years. You owe it to yourself to give this game a shot.

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RPG Site
Top Critic
9 / 10
Nov 5, 2016

More than ten years after its original Japanese release, Xanadu Next is compact and addictive action RPG that was easily worth the wait.

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Nov 12, 2016

Xanadu Next is a fun romp and a nice eye opener to games that were created years or even decades ago. It shows that they can still stand the test of time and remain enjoyable. I was hard pressed to put down the game until I finished it and while I wished it was a bit easier on the eyes, there's no denying the charm that Xanadu Next generates.

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87%
Dec 8, 2016

Xanadu Next is short, sweet and satisfying; an immensely addictive dungeon crawler that manages to be textbook Falcom with refreshingly quiet aesthetics.

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3.5 / 5.0
Nov 3, 2016

Xanadu Next is definitely a game that feels dated by many standards with its lack of a detailed map, frustrating menus, and simple combat. Even despite all this, there was an immense draw to the game with its gameplay loop that proved to be incredibly fun, and really made me want to keep going.

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PCMag
Top Critic
Jan 24, 2017

The classic RPG series returns with numerous labyrinths, brutal challenges, and plenty of old-school charm. Its visuals are dated, but don't let that deter you from experiencing one of the finest action-RPGs on PC.

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8 / 10.0
Nov 7, 2016

Despite looking a bit dated and not quite as good as Xseed’s recent Ys games, Xanadu Next is still an enjoyable dungeon crawler.  It’s not without its faults such as some known bugs and the constant increase in key prices, but once you get around those quirks you’ll find a fun game that’ll keep you coming back to the ruins to explore some more.

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Drew Leachman
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Nov 11, 2016

Xanadu Next is a pretty decently made RPG. I had no idea it existed, but after playing it, I think a lot of fans of the dungeon crawler genre will have a decent time with it. There are a few issues here and there which I mainly chalk up to it being an 11 year old game at this point, but for the most part, players looking for a decent action RPG with a little bit of loot thrown in will find a fun time with this Japanese dungeon crawler.

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