Cross Channel
- March 27, 2018
- MoeNovel
Get on SteamIn Cross Channel, players navigate a visual novel centering around a group of students with communication disorders at the Angelic Channel Academy. The story unfolds as the protagonist, Misato, tries to uncover the truth behind the academy's mysterious happenings and the students' unique conditions. Gameplay involves making decisions that affect Misato's relationships with other characters, ultimately leading to one of multiple endings.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Cross†Channel features a deeply philosophical narrative that explores complex themes of humanity and interpersonal relationships, making it a unique experience in the visual novel genre.
- The character development is well-crafted, with each character having distinct personalities and backstories that contribute to the overall story.
- Despite its flaws, including translation issues, many players found the emotional depth and twists in the story to be rewarding, especially if they are patient and willing to engage with the narrative.
- The protagonist is often portrayed as a highly unlikeable character, engaging in inappropriate and perverted behavior that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the story.
- The English translation is criticized for being poorly executed, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward phrasing that can make the reading experience frustrating.
- Many players found the pacing to be slow and repetitive, particularly in the early parts of the game, which can lead to confusion and a lack of engagement with the plot.
- story84 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a complex and intricately woven narrative that explores themes of mental illness, trauma, and the human condition, often requiring significant effort from players to fully appreciate its depth. While some reviewers found the translation lacking and the protagonist's behavior off-putting, many praised the emotional resonance and character development, particularly in the latter half of the game. Overall, the narrative is seen as both challenging and rewarding, with a mix of humor and poignant moments, though opinions vary on its memorability and execution.
“One thing that I can really praise the visual novel for is how it portrays mental illness through the story and characters, especially in the latter half of the visual novel. There are specific scenes which I thought were actually very good.”
“It's a gripping story of the human condition and our indomitable spirits. It showcases mental illness and trauma in their raw, nasty, and toxic forms, but it also shows growth and the ability to overcome your nature, desires, and trauma.”
“Every little detail ties together; the emotional core and message to the reader resonate and ripple throughout every facet of the story.”
“I do not want to call the story here bad in terms of writing because after finishing it, I feel like I understand what the writer was trying to communicate. However, it is such a crazily woven story that it requires way too much understanding, perseverance, and overall effort from the reader to be able to enjoy it without criticizing it after every other sentence.”
“The story isn't whole in this translation; there's a lot of context, story beats, jokes, and deeper meanings that either could not be properly extrapolated or were just missed by amateur translators.”
“There is a ton of useless jibber-jabber that does not serve much purpose and does not propel the story.”
- music11 mentions
- 82 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its chill, relaxing, and diverse soundtrack that effectively complements the story and enhances the emotional experience. Many players appreciate the quality of the tracks, with some even owning the soundtrack for personal enjoyment. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and appeal.
“The game has an airy and diverse soundtrack that sets well the tone of the story.”
“The soundtrack is very nice, with a fairly broad range of tracks (and those are also good).”
“I actually own the soundtrack and I listen to it on long drives.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally well-received, with many appreciating the softer artistic approach and the overall visual appeal, though some users express mixed feelings about the artwork's execution. The visuals complement the well-written story and believable characters, creating a pleasant aesthetic experience, despite a few mentions of graphic scenes that may not resonate with all players.
“The graphics are nice and the soundtrack is chill and relaxing. I don't usually play this kind of game, but the visual novel games are really great!”
“The story is well written, with believable characters. The artwork is pretty and very easy to look at.”
“I appreciate the devs went for a softer approach; the artwork is visually appealing.”
“I appreciate the devs went for a softer approach; however, I just can't push myself to like the way the artworks turned out.”
“I don't know how to feel about the artworks.”
“Twisted, graphic scenes and pictures.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of laugh-out-loud moments and darker twists, contributing to an overall fun experience, though opinions vary widely. While some players found the humor engaging and appreciated character development, others criticized it as cheap or lacking depth, leading to a polarized reception.
“Overall, the story is well written, if not particularly super memorable, with a tone that is mostly funny, featuring quite a few laugh-out-loud moments, along with some rather sad and shocking twists along the way.”
“Generally a fun and interesting visual novel; I've seen many people complain about the humor, but I thought it was fairly funny.”
“I loved Miki and Kiri's character development, and Sakuraba was hilarious.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is deeply resonant, with a rich narrative that intricately weaves sorrow and heartfelt moments throughout the story. While some players found the protagonist's quirks off-putting, many connected with him and appreciated the poignant dialogue and impactful twists, even if it didn't reach the emotional intensity of other titles. Overall, the game offers a compelling emotional journey that can be completed in a short time, making it a worthwhile experience for those seeking a mix of humor and heartache.
“It's the manifestation of his sorrow and of his deep emotional world.”
“Every little detail ties together; the emotional core and message to the reader resonate and ripple throughout every facet of the story.”
“Very good plot and message, and the twist at the end broke my heart. Even though most people hated the protagonist, I actually loved him despite his weird behaviors every now and then. It resonated with me, and a lot of the dialogue was really good and heartwarming towards the end. I would recommend it if you want to finish a short visual novel in two days or more; it took me 12 hours.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the standout character designs and express a strong appreciation for the character development of Miki and Kiri, noting their growth throughout the game. Additionally, the humor of the character Sakuraba adds to the overall enjoyment of the narrative.
“The character designs immediately stood out to me, and I was hooked; having intentionally avoided the plot synopsis aside from a brief description, I bought the game and decided to give it a shot.”
“I loved Miki and Kiri's character development, and Sakuraba was hilarious.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is dreamlike and surreal, often blurring the lines between reality and illusion, creating an oniric experience for players.
“The game immerses you in a hauntingly beautiful world that feels alive and full of mystery.”
“Every corner of the environment is filled with intricate details that enhance the overall mood and tone.”
“The atmosphere is dreamlike; sometimes it's unclear if the reality Taichi sees is a dream or not.”
“The game lacks a cohesive atmosphere, making it difficult to immerse myself in the world.”
“The overall ambiance feels flat and uninspired, failing to evoke any real emotion or connection.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is characterized by tedious repetition and a lack of meaningful choices, leading to a frustrating experience for players. The protagonist's comments are seen as excessive and irrelevant, further contributing to the overall sense of monotony. Additionally, the narrative twists are viewed as underwhelming, culminating in a disappointing conclusion.
“The protagonist's persistent asides seem overwrought, tedious, ignorant, and irrelevant; the twists in characterization feel relatively tame by today's standards; the effective lack of meaningful choices is constraining; the repeated text is tedious; and the conclusion is disappointing, if not outright infuriating.”
