Cardinal Cross

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 156 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
Cardinal Cross Game Cover
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"Cardinal Cross" is a story-driven, turn-based tactical RPG set in a fantasy world. Assemble a team of heroes, each with unique abilities, to save the kingdom from destruction. Engage in strategic combat and make choices that impact the narrative in this immersive, character-driven adventure.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 156 reviews
story79 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Engaging and well-written story with a captivating sci-fi universe.
  • Strong character development with diverse and relatable personalities.
  • Beautiful artwork and a good amount of CGs that enhance the storytelling experience.
  • Some characters exhibit problematic behavior that is not adequately addressed in the narrative.
  • The pacing can feel rushed in certain chapters, leading to abrupt transitions.
  • Confusing terminology and world-building elements may overwhelm new players.
  • story229 mentions

    The story of the game is generally praised for its captivating narrative, well-developed characters, and intricate plotlines that allow for meaningful player choices and multiple endings. While some reviewers noted that the plot can become convoluted or rely on familiar sci-fi tropes, many found the storytelling engaging and emotionally resonant, with a strong emphasis on character relationships and moral complexity. Overall, the combination of rich lore, beautiful artwork, and a compelling storyline makes it a recommended experience for fans of visual novels.

    • “The story is captivating, well written, and well paced... for 7 or 8 chapters.”
    • “The story itself is clever, it hooks you in and never lets go.”
    • “If you want to explore a complex story, filled with themes of order and chaos, rebellion and compliance, friendship, family, and trust, where your choices have a tangible impact on the storyline paired with a gripping soundtrack, gorgeous artwork, and rich, detailed characters, this game is for you!”
    • “The plot is convoluted and drags in the middle, but it was interesting enough I wanted to see how it played out - even though my choices ended up in the 'preserve the status quo' option.”
    • “The story itself also has some flaws; nothing too big and I never truly was lost about what happened, but at the end it does get quite convoluted with so many layers which are not really all that well explained.”
    • “For the most part, the story's main characters felt unoriginal and uninspired.”
  • music37 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance key scenes, while others find it generic or lacking in consistency, particularly in the second half. Many players appreciate the high production value and the soundtrack's ability to complement the narrative, though some note that it can feel sparse at times. Overall, while the music is generally well-received, it may not stand out as particularly memorable for all players.

    • “Hands down the best OST for any of the VNs out there.”
    • “Moving on to the aural presentation, Cardinal Cross's soundtrack is wonderful and blends in quite well with the science fiction narrative.”
    • “Next to the detailed encyclopedia, amazing artwork and thrilling plot, music is a great asset of this game bringing the feeling of immersion to new heights.”
    • “Generic music sometimes didn't fit the scene.”
    • “The music adds a bit to the scenes, but is nothing spectacular or noteworthy.”
    • “When it comes to music, however, I found it somewhat lacking.”
  • graphics35 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning artwork and character designs that enhance the storytelling experience. The visuals are described as ranging from nice to spectacular, with a high level of detail and quality that captivates players. Overall, the combination of beautiful graphics and engaging narrative creates a visually immersive experience that is highly appreciated by users.

    • “The artwork is absolutely stunning and some of the stills may have you blushing or perhaps even your heart racing.”
    • “Just one look at the spectacular artwork on display here will immediately tell you that the visual presentation of this novel is of the highest quality available.”
    • “The artwork is also excellent, and the changing interpersonal relationships with the various characters adds to the enjoyment.”
    • “The graphics/art is well done helping you get gripped into the story.”
    • “For one thing, the overall technical quality has gone up, the graphics, user interface, and overall way the game runs has improved by leaps and bounds.”
    • “Everything we learn comes from the dialogue and artwork, almost as if we were watching a movie or TV show.”
  • humor25 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever dialogue, relatable characters, and laugh-out-loud moments, often blending wit with emotional depth. Players appreciate the unique personalities of the characters, which contribute to a rich tapestry of funny interactions and choices that enhance the overall experience. The balance of humor and drama is noted as a standout feature, making the game both entertaining and engaging.

    • “The dialogue is well done...sometimes passionate, sometimes funny.”
    • “Complex, occasionally touching and often laugh-out-loud funny.”
    • “It has got tons of humor and the artwork on this is beautiful.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its ability to evoke deep feelings, often leading to tears during poignant moments. The well-written story and believable character relationships create a strong emotional attachment, blending humor with heart-wrenching scenes that leave a lasting impact. However, some players expressed frustration with certain relationship dynamics that hindered emotional intimacy, particularly in the context of trust between characters.

    • “It added a whole new depth to the story, and fully made me cry.”
    • “The story is exceptionally well-written, and the characters and their relationships are believable to the point that I felt emotionally attached to them (I shed even a tear from time to time).”
    • “The story and the characters are complex and heartbreakingly beautiful.”
  • gameplay7 mentions

    The gameplay of this visual/interactive novel is criticized for its lack of depth, primarily consisting of poorly written dialogue and trivializing serious themes, which detracts from the experience. While the game offers multiple choices that can affect outcomes, the mechanics feel underdeveloped, and some players desire a more nuanced approach to character interactions. Despite these issues, the customizable gameplay and smooth mechanics provide some replay value.

    • “In a game based on choices, where actions have consequences, it would have been better to have a more realistic approach to the romantic side since it is part of the gameplay (jealousy, will to clarify the kind of relation, anger, sadness...).”
    • “It's definitely worth a play, and a replay as there are multiple choices, and your choices will affect your gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is very customizable and it's pretty smooth running.”
    • “As a visual/interactive novel, this doesn't feature any notable gameplay; it's just a lot of clicking through badly written dialogue that would never have been accepted or published in print, which poses the question, 'how did something this badly written end up on Steam?'”
    • “I found the way characters and game mechanics trivialized physical abuse and abusive behavior to be so off-putting that I had no desire to finish the game.”
    • “In a game based on choices, where actions have consequences, it would have been better to have a more realistic approach to the romantic side since it is part of the gameplay (jealousy, the will to clarify the kind of relationship, anger, sadness...).”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game offers solid replayability, particularly for players interested in exploring different story alignments and paths. While some players may feel satisfied with their initial experience and not feel compelled to replay immediately, the engaging writing and entertaining narrative encourage multiple playthroughs. Overall, the potential for varied outcomes enhances the game's replay value.

    • “There's quite a bit of role-playing value to be had here, which could lend itself to replay value if you care to re-experience the story with a different alignment.”
    • “I have only played through once, but I am planning on playing again to see all the paths to take, so the replayability is good.”
    • “I love the writing style (recognizable if you played the Ascension), the story is entertaining and it's definitely replayable.”
    • “There's quite a bit of role-playing value to be had here, which I imagine could lend itself to replay value if you care to re-experience the story with a different alignment.”
    • “Replayability is also there if this is important to certain people, but I overall liked the ending of my story, so even though I will replay the game sometime in the future, I might not even change that much.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Reviews highlight impressive character designs, particularly the raons inspired by zodiac signs, showcasing distinct personalities and traits. However, there is a desire for deeper character development, as some players feel that certain characters lack growth throughout the game. Overall, while the aesthetic and thematic elements are praised, the need for more substantial character arcs is noted.

    • “Beautiful artwork, character development, and a creative/interesting plot.”
    • “I really liked his design, but I think it would be awesome if we got to see some character development from him.”
    • “The character designs are amazing, especially the Raons; each of them is named after the zodiac signs, and their personalities and clothes reflect the traits of each zodiac, which I was very impressed with.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Users find the grinding aspect of visual novels and e-books tedious, likening it to a frustratingly slow reading experience where each sentence requires a click to progress. However, they appreciate that the choices made in the game have significant consequences, making replaying with different decisions enjoyable rather than monotonous.

    • “Visual novels/e-books are tedious at best... imagine the best novel you ever read, be that Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or 2001: A Space Odyssey or Twilight (if you have terrible taste in literature), but then translate that to a format where the words dribble out and you have to click your mouse every time you want to read the next sentence, instead of just turning the pages.”
    • “Grinding in this game feels like a chore rather than an engaging experience, making it hard to stay motivated.”
    • “The repetitive nature of grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game, turning what could be an exciting adventure into a monotonous task.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization of Cardinal Cross has been criticized as a cash grab, with a price point of $12 USD that many users feel is unjustified given the availability of more substantial games for the same cost.

    • “Cardinal Cross has a greedy, cash grab price of $12 USD, for which you could easily get any number of real games.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making the experience frustrating.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by its well-fitting and atmospheric music, which complements the scenes effectively and enriches the overall reading experience.

    • “The music is always nice and atmospheric, nearly always fitting the scenes very well; it complements the reading experience.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world with stunning visuals and sound design.”
    • “Every location feels alive, with a rich ambiance that enhances the storytelling and keeps you engaged.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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