Another Crusade
- September 14, 2023
- Dragon Vein Studios
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Get on Xbox Games StoreDiscover a 3d wooden puppet style world while exploring as a platformer, and taking battles in a turn-based combat as an old school RPG where timing and strategy is all! Play as Rai Reysend and his companions through a series of comical events and epic battles to reveal the mystery of the cosmic barriers that were created after a meteor shower. Will you be able to save the land and uncover the …
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Reviews
- The game offers a solid core gameplay loop reminiscent of Super Mario RPG, with engaging combat mechanics and a charming aesthetic.
- There is a good balance of challenge and accessibility, with an Easy mode that allows players to enjoy the game at a more leisurely pace while still providing a satisfying experience.
- The characters are well-designed and entertaining, and the game features numerous nods and references to classic RPGs, enhancing the nostalgic experience.
- The difficulty curve can be unforgiving, especially in the early stages, with tight timing windows for attacks and defenses that may frustrate players.
- Maps are often unnecessarily large and can feel confusing to navigate, leading to potential backtracking and a lack of clear direction.
- Some aspects of the game, such as sound design and dialogue, feel underdeveloped, detracting from the overall experience.
- story36 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its depth and humor, particularly when experienced in Spanish, while others find it lacking in substance and engaging elements. The narrative evolves from a lighthearted beginning to a more serious tone, with characters gradually piecing together the plot, but some critics argue that it fails to deliver a compelling RPG experience. Overall, the storytelling is seen as charming and fun by some, but underwhelming and shallow by others, leading to divided opinions on its effectiveness.
“The plot actually becomes more serious than you'd expect once you get deeper into the game.”
“Another Crusade has its charm and an interesting story that unfolds over time.”
“The story, while simple, is good and a lot more interesting than other long-winded indie RPGs.”
“None of this would be a problem if the story had more meat to it than bad humor, but it doesn’t.”
“I've seen people saying there's no story and they don't understand what's going on.”
“The story is all its own and the item mechanics and quest mechanics are more shallow than Mario RPG.”
- gameplay34 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is built around a solid core loop reminiscent of classic RPGs like Super Mario RPG, featuring a timed hits system that adds a nostalgic touch. While the mechanics are well-implemented and the game offers a fair challenge, some players find the combat repetitive and the overall content unpolished, leading to mixed experiences. Despite its difficulties, the game is recommended for those who appreciate traditional RPG mechanics and are looking for a casual yet engaging experience.
“The gameplay is very much similar to the classic Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, especially with the battles featuring its timed hits system.”
“The gameplay is challenging, but in a way that’s fair.”
“Thank you for sticking to tried and true core RPG mechanics.”
“After a few hours and multiple bosses in, the gameplay of this game has not gone past 'attack, heal, repeat' no matter what type of enemy you're facing.”
“The story is all its own and the item mechanics and quest mechanics are more shallow than Mario RPG was.”
“Maybe things get easier as you go, but the enemies in the opening hours of the game posed more challenge than I was hoping for as I was getting used to the mechanics of the game, and that ultimately resulted in a negative gaming experience.”
- music14 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its energetic and Yoko Shimomura-inspired soundtrack, which complements the game's playful characters and storytelling. However, others find the overall composition to be simple and lacking in memorability, with only a few standout tracks. Overall, while the music enhances the experience, it may not leave a lasting impression.
“The music is very good as well and is very Yoko Shimomura inspired, which is a big bonus for me.”
“The music is simple yet effective.”
“A great RPG that revives the fresh style of Mario RPG, with its comical dialogues, energetic music, fun storytelling, and honest playful characters.”
“The music, writing, and maps feel bland, though.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a charming puppetlike aesthetic that evokes nostalgia for SNES titles, particularly Mario RPG, while incorporating modern design elements. Although some aspects of the art style are rough around the edges, the overall visual appeal and creativity in enemy designs contribute to a successful and engaging experience. Players appreciate the beautiful artwork and the anticipation of seeing new enemies in the unique wooden doll style.
“Gets that nostalgia feel of SNES games, but with a more modern touch of graphics and mechanics.”
“This game's art style clearly took inspiration from the SNES Mario RPG and in all the platforming ways and looks, it nailed it.”
“The art style has a few rough parts, but when I look forward to new enemies just to see how they will look in the wooden doll art style, it’s a success.”
“The puppetlike aesthetic is neat, and I appreciate the devs adding in an easy mode, because hoo boy those timing windows are brutal.”
“This game's art style clearly took inspiration from the SNES Mario RPG and in all the platforming ways and looks it nailed it.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's grinding mechanics are described as somewhat tedious, with players often camping near checkpoints to level up by defeating nearby enemies. While some players report progressing without the need for grinding, the overall sentiment suggests that grinding feels slow and less rewarding compared to modern RPG trends that favor more dynamic combat experiences.
“That basic mechanic has been fun for decades, but nowadays, particularly this year, it seems as though the new maxims in RPGs are 'no forced grinding' and 'fight enemies on the map,' which has led to a slew of terrifically boring RPGs.”
“Grinding doesn't feel like it's a great option either as it seems very slow on the weaker enemies.”
“The game's also a bit grindy as you'll find yourself camping near the checkpoint for a quick recovery as you mow down nearby enemies and level up.”
- humor8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's humor is heavily reliant on self-awareness and cultural references, which resonates more with players familiar with Mexican culture, particularly when played in Spanish. However, many reviewers feel that the humor often falls flat due to overused clichés and a lack of depth in the story, making it less effective overall. While some moments, like the inclusion of 'la llorona' as a secret boss, are appreciated, the overall comedic execution leaves much to be desired.
“The story is kinda there, the hook was the characters making jokes all the time and the moment I discovered that this game was Mexican (as I am) I decided to change the language to Spanish and I will admit that the humor hit a lot more after that... though I will admit that what made me laugh the most was the fact that 'la llorona' is a secret boss in this game.”
“It's not funny to do a cliché thing, then point out its cliché, but this game does it way too often.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report excellent optimization on the Steam Deck, with no performance issues encountered during gameplay.
“I've only played on the deck, but I've had zero performance issues so far.”
- stability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is considered stable, with minimal bugs reported, though some users noted minor collision issues that do not significantly impact gameplay.
“Aside from collision issues that don’t harm the game, this game is pretty much bug-free from what I've played.”
