Cross of the Dutchman

61%
Game Brain Score Based on 174 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

61%
Audience ScoreBased on 174 reviews
story57 positive mentions
replayability4 negative mentions
  • The game features a captivating story based on the historical figure Pier Gerlofs Donia, which keeps players engaged.
  • The art style is colorful and appealing, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
  • It's a short game that offers a fun and straightforward gameplay experience, making it easy to complete in one sitting.
  • The combat mechanics are clunky and repetitive, leading to a lack of excitement during battles.
  • The stealth sections are poorly designed and frustrating, often resulting in unnecessary backtracking.
  • The game is very short, with many players feeling it lacks depth and replay value.
  • story174 mentions

    The story of "Cross of the Dutchman" is a mixed bag, with some players finding it engaging and emotionally resonant, while others criticize it for being simplistic, cliché, and poorly executed. Many appreciate its historical basis and unique 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 focused storyline, it leaves some players wanting more complexity and depth in both character development and plot progression.

    • “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.”
    • “Cross of the Dutchman is short, but effective, with a fast-paced story and enough new techniques to avoid the grind.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay63 mentions

    The gameplay has been described as simplistic and repetitive, with basic combat mechanics that quickly become dull. While some players appreciate the ease of learning and the unique thematic elements, many express disappointment over the lack of depth and complexity, citing issues like bugs and ineffective stealth mechanics. Overall, the gameplay serves primarily as a means to support the storytelling rather than offering a robust gaming experience.

    • “The gameplay is fairly simple, so is the storyline, but the theme is unique and the art style is lovely.”
    • “Learning and gameplay are seamlessly woven to give you mastery of combat by the end.”
    • “I definitely suggest this game if you want to spend some good time with nice humor and chill gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it falls short in a few ways in combat, and I experienced two bugs where I got stuck once and another time an animation didn't play, leading me to have to close and reopen the game.”
    • “Since there is no more to the fighting mechanics, it really gets dull and bland very hastily.”
    • “Cross of the Dutchman holds true lore-wise, explaining the tale of Pier Gerlofs Donia, but as a video game, the hero falls flat on his face with crippled combat mechanics, bland gameplay progression, poor animation, and an overall lack of content and excitement.”
  • graphics40 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and unique art style, which enhances the immersive experience and complements the captivating storyline. While some reviews note that the visuals are colorful and effectively portray the medieval setting, others mention that the overall graphical quality can feel mediocre or unfinished in certain aspects, such as cutscenes. Overall, the art style is a standout feature that many players appreciate, despite some criticisms regarding other game elements.

    • “The art style is beautiful and I love the environment; however, the game as a whole just feels unfinished and more like it should be a part of something more.”
    • “Graphics are colorful and beautiful; they really portray the medieval Frisia in a good way.”
    • “The visuals complete the immersive setting, with music that matches but never intrudes.”
    • “The graphics are mediocre (not bad), the fighting system is awful and weird, and the story is weak.”
    • “The graphics are mediocre (not bad), the fighting system is awful and weird, and the story is weak.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as funny and lighthearted, effectively balancing comedic elements with the serious themes of war. While some reviewers feel it occasionally tries too hard to be funny, leading to mixed results, the overall sentiment is positive, highlighting the game's enjoyable humor and appealing art style.

    • “It was funny and lighthearted, even though it did not shy away from the serious consequences of war.”
    • “I definitely suggest this game if you want to spend some good time with nice humor and chill gameplay.”
    • “If this game was a sword, it would be a blacksmith's worst nightmare, or a laughingstock of poor craftsmanship.”
  • music8 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 users find it forgettable, suggesting it may not leave a lasting impression.

    • “The visuals complete the immersive setting, with music that matches but never intrudes.”
    • “+ atmospheric music and sound effects”
    • “The music is forgettable.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    Overall, the game suffers from very low replayability, with players noting that it can be completed in a single run and lacks meaningful variations or side quests. Many users report achieving most accomplishments on their first playthrough, leading to a repetitive experience with little incentive to replay.

    • “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 makes for little replay value.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    The game effectively fosters an emotional connection with the main character, enhanced by a well-written story that resonates with players. Many users found the experience touching, particularly in light of the character's background.

    • “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.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent freezes and bugs that detract from the overall experience. Players have noted that the combat is poorly designed and the game lacks replay value, contributing to a sense of imbalance and frustration.

    • “Freezes at times, combat is pathetic, nothing special about the story, you can end the game in one run and no replay value.”
    • “Short, boring, buggy, and badly balanced.”
    • “Freezes at times, combat is pathetic, nothing special about the story, you can end the game in one run and no replay value.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a relaxed vibe, enhanced by atmospheric music and sound effects that contribute to an enjoyable and occasionally humorous experience.

    • “The game features atmospheric music and sound effects that enhance the overall experience.”
    • “The relaxed atmosphere contributes to moments of joy and laughter.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players appreciate the grinding aspect as a refreshing change from the often tedious nature of longer games, providing a welcome break in gameplay.

    • “It was a pleasant break from the sometimes grinding slog of longer games.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The game is characterized as an action RPG (ARPG) that features significant character development alongside its hack-and-slash gameplay elements. Players appreciate the depth of character progression, which enhances the overall gaming experience.

    • “The game is an ARPG because it features action and hack-and-slash gameplay alongside impressive character development.”
    • “The character development in this game is truly engaging, allowing players to grow and evolve their characters in meaningful ways.”
    • “I love how the character development system adds depth to the gameplay, making each choice feel impactful.”
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 2 analyzed playthroughs

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