CrossCode Reviews
For an indie pixelart RPG, there’s a lot going on, and Crosscode is polished, ambitious and charming. Combat is a treat, although it can get very challenging with the tactical demands of some enemy types. The puzzles are up there with the classics of the genre, but there are so many of them that the temples can become a marathon slog, only to find an unbeatable boss that’s so hard it’s no longer fun.
A fantastic retro-styled action role-player that honours the past but is in no way beholden to it, with great combat, an intriguing storyline, and a massive game world.
Motivating mixture of twin stick shooter, 16-bit role-playing game and puzzles with a huge scope and self-deprecating setting.
Review in German | Read full review
There’s a lot to love about CrossCode, from it’s fast and frantic combat, through to it’s tough but satisfying puzzles. The MMO setting is incredibly well done and manages to mimic the online experience whilst also taking time out to make fun of itself. This is an absolutely charming RPG where it feels like there's always something new to experience.
CrossCode is one of the best indie games out there. Its blend of old-school and contemporary gameplay elements is phenomenal and the wonderful cast of characters and distinct story are the icing on the cake. I highly recommend it.
There are a few annoyances, but CrossCode is a fantastically crafted action RPG that is full of charm and crisp gameplay. Fans of The Legend of Zelda and those who just like retro RPGs will find plenty to love. Don't sleep on this special experience.
The music is reminiscent of all the 1990s SNES games I loved as a kid, the pixelated art style is well-done and great to look at, and the game feels exactly how I want a 2D top-down RPG to feel in 2020. It takes cues from games like A Link to the Past while updating the gameplay for modern audiences and controllers, all without losing its artistic charm and still paying tribute to beloved retro titles.
A hidden indie gem that will surely entice RPG fans with its nostalgic look, excellent presentation and unique blend of puzzle and RPG mechanics.
While CrossCode is a superlatively excellent game, the Switch version is an astoundingly rough port.
An incredible adventure from start to finish, CrossCode is a fictional MMO where the charm is anything but. With enthralling combat, intriguing puzzles and hours of enjoyable content, I cannot recommend this game enough.
CrossCode is probably the most fun that I’ve ever had with being frustrated with a game. This game knows it’s good and wants to make absolutely sure that players know just how much time and painstaking effort went into creating it so that they know how good it is, too. Is it a bit gatekeep-y at times? Eh, sure, I guess. But it’s a gate that’s an absolute joy to climb over. And, if you still aren’t convinced, maybe you should just try logging into CrossWorlds yourself.
Two years ago, I fell in love with CrossCode. Playing this brand new port on the Switch just reminded me of why I loved that game so much back in the day, and to be fair, this might even be the superior version of this already pristine game.
Despite some monotonous grinding and areas that can be a bit overburdened with lore, CrossCode (from @RadicalFishGame) should not be missed by those who haven't had the pleasure of experiencing it before.
Radical Fish Games has taken eight years to craft one of the best indie titles of the year. With an interesting story, great combat, exciting and rewarding exploration CrossCode not only pays homage to some of the best retro action-RPGs it also proves that a small studio with love and passion for their project can rival the million-dollar blockbusters we've grown so used to. Trust me, you won't want to miss out on this future classic.
Last year was such an amazing year for indie games that it felt like CrossCode got a little lost in the shuffle. I would strongly suggest people who missed out on the game initially check it out now. The 1.1 update added some free content including a major arena mode that adds even more longevity to the game. Casually it can run you between 10-20 hours depending on how much of the sidequests you want to engage in. While the NMG (No Major Glitches) records are currently hovering just above two hours, it’s also a fun game to just take your time with like you would in a real MMORPG, and for $19.99 that is frankly a steal. While there are obvious comparisons to be made (story-wise) to the massively popular Sword Art Online, the gameplay was a whole lot tighter. As a result, with a whole lot of practice, Lea feels much more like a real badass who responds exactly to how good you are at the game itself.
CrossCode shows that the size of a developer and its overall budget doesn't determine the quality of the game. AAA developers can sink all the money in the world into a title, and it may still lack that "special something." That isn't the case here. Radical Fish Games' CrossCode is a masterpiece action RPG by a small-scale studio, and it's damn-near perfect in nearly every way.
Despite a grueling second half and an incomplete ending, the overall experience is enjoyable; everything it does right more than makes up for a few missteps.
Despite its shortcomings, I think CrossCode is a must play game for fans of RPGs. Its homage to MMOs is too faithful causing CrossCode to inherit negative qualities associated with the genre such as an abundance of fetch quests, and repetitive enemies. However, this same authenticity to MMOs also creates a believable meta-world. The combat, puzzles, aesthetic, and especially the characters all combine to make CrossCode a deeply satisfying game to play, which compelled me to stay with it for over fifty hours. If you haven't already played CrossCode, it is well worth your time to do so.
CrossCode is an outstanding title that is completely worth your time investment. It is beautiful, compelling and a ton of fun.