Video Game Review: CrossCode

CrossCode

Radical Fish Games & Deck 13

RPG

Nintendo Switch

At a glance, CrossCode might look like just another 2D role-playing game with SNES era sprites. A deeper look will reveal that this is a game with a ton of heart, a great aesthetic, and some stellar gameplay. Developer Radical Fish Games has created an action-roleplaying game that utilizes the best of the games that came before it. Then, it adds even more elements to put it a step above the rest of the genre.

CrossCode features a mute protagonist named Lea, who also suffers from amnesia. She is also an avatar who happens to exist without a player in an MMORPG. The story initially feels like it lacks creativity, but eventually, the 50+ hour journey heads into some unexpected twists and turns. The story is surprisingly compelling, utilizing fun and relatable characters, charming locations, and strong dialogue. The pacing is a bit rocky at times, but this doesn’t prevent CrossCode from being one of the better stories in the genre.

The solid story isn’t even the best part of CrossCode. The action is fluid, with a combat system that utilizes melee, long-ranged and dodging mechanics. The controls are tight, allowing players to easily aim their projectiles and quickly switch between types of attack. Projectiles utilize twin-stick shooting while slashing it just simply button presses. It’s all simple yet satisfying, and no encounter will be lost due to poor controls. Eventually, players will have access to various elements to infuse into their attacks to exploit enemy weaknesses. Players will obtain these gradually throughout the game, giving the game a nice sense of progression. It feels a lot like obtaining new gear and equipment in the Legend of Zelda series.

Speaking of The Legend of Zelda, it’s clear that CrossCode has been heavily influenced by the popular series. The elements and new abilities that I mentioned earlier are obtained via dungeons that are full of puzzles for players to solve. The puzzles are fairly simple, but there are certainly a few throughout the game that will require thought. The dungeons themselves are full of memorable battles, with thoroughly entertaining bosses at the end of each one. Each of CrossCode‘s eight dungeons is heavily themed, further giving the game Zelda vibes.

The sense of progression is further realized by allowing players to spec into the elements and moves of their choice. The RPG progression allows players to play how they like and with satisfying results. What starts off as a simple skill tree soon branched out into multiple trees, giving players tons of options.

Despite all of the praises I have for CrossCode, it does fall short in a few areas. Like most games in the genre, the beginning is painfully slow as the player is thrown into fetch quest after fetch quest. The depth and beauty of the game are hidden by a largely mediocre first act. CrossCode greatly rewards players who stick with it, but this might not be enough for every type of gamer. There are also a few small chunks of the game that drag on a bit with poor pacing. Fortunately, none of the game’s slumps are as long as the intro. Still, despite the pacing, players will love their many hours with CrossCode.

The memorable experience is made even better by the gorgeous pixel art, and whimsical character designs. The environments are gorgeous, with tons of life that will bring players back to the SNES era. Fans of games like Chrono Trigger will love the aesthetic. The music is solid too, with catchy tunes that are sure to stick with players long after they turn their console off.

It’s impressive just how much is in this game. There are many tunes that all feel unique and bring life to the stages. There is a great diversity in enemy types as well, with over 120 enemies and plenty of bosses. There are tons of side quests, though quite a few of them do feel like filler. Still, there are a few gems of quests in CrossCode too that stand out.

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.