Cross of the Dutchman

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 83 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Cross of the Dutchman Game Cover
Based on a true story, Cross of the Dutchman is a historical action-adventure game recently released on PC via Steam, Humble and other distribution platforms. While the gameplay mechanics may not be looking to cause a revolution, the charm of this little game comes from its creative exploration of the life of a Frisian folk hero.
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"Cross of the Dutchman" is an action-adventure game set in medieval Frisia, where players step into the role of Pier Gerlofs Donia. As Pier, you'll lead a resistance against Saxon oppressors who have invaded nearby villages, with your actions shaping Pier's transformation into the famous folk legend. This game is inspired by true events, offering a compelling blend of historical context and fictional storytelling.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 83 reviews
story28 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a captivating story that draws players in and keeps them engaged throughout.
  • The art style is colorful and well-designed, contributing to an enjoyable visual experience.
  • It's a short but fun game, making it a great option for players looking for a quick and entertaining experience.
  • The combat mechanics are simplistic and can feel repetitive, lacking depth and variety.
  • There are frustrating stealth sections that disrupt the flow of gameplay and can lead to unnecessary backtracking.
  • The game is quite short, with many players feeling it lacks replay value and depth.
  • story85 mentions

    The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and emotionally resonant, while others criticize it for being simplistic, cliché, or poorly executed. Many appreciate the unique themes and art style, but feel that the characters lack depth and the narrative is often linear and forgettable. Overall, while the game offers a short and enjoyable story experience, it may not satisfy those seeking a more complex or immersive narrative.

    • “The story is captivating and kept me playing; the graphic style is nice.”
    • “I identified with them, feared for them, and felt rage and sorrow as the story beckoned me to follow them and share their fate.”
    • “The game is not that long (about 3 hours), but the devs have done a great job with the story.”
    • “Ultimately, I didn't even care about the characters or story since everything is so simple and forgettable.”
    • “The characters are mostly forgettable (why introduce 12 characters in 2 hours if only 2 of them are interesting?) The cutscenes are almost laughable as they tell the same story that you just saw happen a second ago in-game.”
    • “The story is pretty cliché and most of the time I was left feeling like there is something missing.”
  • gameplay30 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its simplicity and lack of depth, particularly in combat mechanics, which can become repetitive and dull. While some appreciate the relaxing nature and ease of learning, others express disappointment in the absence of more complex features or engaging stealth mechanics. Overall, the gameplay serves primarily as a means to support the storytelling rather than standing out on its own.

    • “The gameplay is fairly simple, so is the storyline, but the theme is unique and the art style is lovely.”
    • “The game mechanics are simple and easy to learn.”
    • “I definitely suggest this game if you want to spend some good time with nice humor and chill gameplay.”
    • “You could also judge it by its bad art, terrible gameplay and complete lack of any redeeming qualities.”
    • “Gameplay-wise it falls short in a few ways in combat, and I experienced 2 bugs where I got stuck once and another time an animation didn't play, leading me to have to close and reopen the game.”
    • “The story seems fairly interesting but the gameplay is just too repetitive and simplistic.”
  • graphics19 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful art style and immersive environments, contributing positively to the overall experience. While some users note that the visuals are a highlight, others feel the graphics are merely decent and overshadowed by gameplay and story issues. Overall, the game's aesthetic is appreciated, with many finding it a strong point despite some criticisms of its execution.

    • “The gameplay is fairly simple, so is the storyline, but the theme is unique and the art style is lovely.”
    • “The visuals complete the immersive setting, with music that matches but never intrudes.”
    • “Graphics are colorful and beautiful, they really portray the medieval Frisia in a good way.”
    • “The graphics are mediocre (not bad), the fighting system is awful and weird, and the story is weak.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The game's humor is generally well-received, characterized as funny and lighthearted, complementing its appealing art style. While some players feel it occasionally tries too hard, leading to mixed results, the overall consensus is that it provides enjoyable and chill gameplay with a good dose of humor.

    • “It was funny and lighthearted, even though it did not shy away from the serious consequences of war.”
    • “The art style was very nice and the humor of this game was great.”
    • “Lovely art and fun humor.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is generally regarded as good and atmospheric, effectively complementing the visuals and enhancing the immersive experience without being intrusive. However, some players find it to be forgettable. Overall, it contributes positively to the game's ambiance.

    • “The visuals complete the immersive setting, with music that matches but never intrudes.”
    • “+ atmospheric music and sound effects”
    • “The music is forgettable.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, the game suffers from low replayability, with players noting that the experience remains largely unchanged across multiple playthroughs. Many have completed the game in a single run, citing a lack of side quests and minimal variation in gameplay as key factors contributing to its limited replay value.

    • “There's no real replayability; everything is exactly the same every time.”
    • “Limited replay value.”
    • “I got almost all my achievements on the first run, and with the lack of side quests, this results in little replay value.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its well-written story, which fosters a strong connection with the main character, making the experience touching and impactful for players.

    • “It was a bit touching, especially knowing where it came from.”
    • “It allowed me to form an emotional connection with the main character.”
    • “The story was very well written and allowed for an emotional connection with the character.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent freezes and bugs that detract from the overall experience. Players also criticize the lack of depth in combat and story, leading to a short and unengaging gameplay experience with minimal replay value.

    • “Freezes at times; combat is pathetic, nothing special about the story, you can end the game in one run and there is no replay value.”
    • “Short, boring, buggy, and badly balanced.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a relaxed vibe that encourages lightheartedness, complemented by atmospheric music and sound effects that enhance the overall experience.

    • “The game creates a relaxed atmosphere with the occasional giggle.”
    • “The atmospheric music and sound effects enhance the overall experience.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players appreciate the grinding aspect as a refreshing change from the often tedious progression found in longer games, providing a more enjoyable and manageable experience.

    • “It was a pleasant break from the sometimes grinding slog of longer games.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Players appreciate the character development in the game, noting that it enhances the action RPG experience through engaging progression and customization options.

    • “The character development in this game is incredibly engaging, allowing players to truly shape their heroes as they progress.”
    • “I love how the game offers deep character customization options, making each character feel unique and personal.”
    • “The growth of the characters throughout the story is compelling, with meaningful choices that impact their development.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression.”
    • “I was disappointed by how little the characters evolved throughout the game.”
    • “The choices I made didn't seem to impact the character development at all.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

53% average critic score

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Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
4-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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