Crosscode is an inspired game with a retro feel that looks like a typical 2D RPG on the cover but there is so much more to it. Unfortunately,Crosscode is an inspired game with a retro feel that looks like a typical 2D RPG on the cover but there is so much more to it. Unfortunately, that 'so much more' is what I really don't like.
CC's graphics make no secret about harking back to the 16-bit era of SNES games. I find these style of graphics to be generally welcome but it seems far too many indie developers are going for this style in recent years, making me a bit tired of seeing them. The difficulty with CC in particular is that there is a lot of platforming and simplistic graphics make it harder to differentiate between the latitudes. Having said that, I appreciate that it's also a clever way of working around the lower budgets indies have.
The big problem I have with CC's graphics is that I experienced some serious framerate and screen tearing issues early in the game that left an early bad impression. I had to search online and turn off many of the video settings just to get it to run decently, ironic given the 16-bit graphics. The fact that both PS4 and PS5 versions of this game exist also makes it less acceptable to find these issues.
The RPG elements of CC's gameplay are very good, mostly. What I really didn't like was having to collect so much materials to allow me to buy equipment rather than just use cash or get them from enemies.
This brings me to another big issue I had with CC. 90% of the few hours I played were just gather and fetch quests. I don't mind some of these as they help you learn the mechanics and story of a game, but they really were used to excess here. Apparently this improves as you venture further into the game but the idea of a game is to compel you, not hold up promises that things will get better.
I did not expect puzzles to play as much of a role as they do in CC. Again, I like some puzzle elements, but CC really took this to excess for me. The first dungeon was just room after room of puzzles. Just when I think I got to the end there were even more and I lost my patience with the game. I do like the creativity in some of the puzzles but the shooting feels very slippery and imprecise for how often it's needed in puzzles.
The story of CC was what captivated me most and I'll be most sorry to miss out on that. The character being a largely silent protagonist is always a divisive approach, in this case for the better as there is enough dialogue already. The story felt very meta as it reminded me of Assassins' Creed where you are in the Animus, which felt a lot more original than standard fare RPGs. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to keep me going in the game.
Overall, Crosscode seems to be another critically-acclaimed indie darling that leaves me very sceptical of the overwhelmingly positive praise. I accept that it may just not be my cup of tea but it left me remorseful that Sony do not allow refunds, so lesson learned for me to do more research or buy on Steam.… Expand
