Cross Tails
- July 19, 2023
- Rideon,Inc.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Cross Tails" is a tactical strategy RPG set in a war-torn world, where you delve into a story-driven plot playable from both canine and feline sides. Engage in turn-based battles, utilizing terrain and character orientation, and experience character development through class changes, skill trees, and faith selection. With over 30 classes, various weapons, and armor strengthening, shape the fate of two nations in this immersive game.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Epic Games
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Engaging tactical gameplay with a deep class and customization system, reminiscent of classic titles like Final Fantasy Tactics.
- Offers a variety of difficulty settings and a flexible job system that allows for diverse strategies and character builds.
- Cute art style and enjoyable music that enhance the overall experience.
- Poor English localization with numerous translation errors that detract from the story and character interactions.
- Controls are frustrating, lacking mouse support and having clunky keyboard controls, making gameplay less intuitive.
- The story is generic and lacks depth, with characters feeling one-dimensional and the narrative failing to engage players.
- story83 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 83 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it generic and poorly written, often likening it to a simplistic "cats versus dogs" narrative. Repetitive mission structures and a lack of engaging characters detract from the experience, while translation issues further hinder the storytelling. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciate the gameplay mechanics and find the story sufficient enough to maintain interest, especially for those focused on strategy rather than narrative depth.
“Its also interesting enough that, although I'm not too far in, I actually want to start a second playthrough on the other side of the story.”
“I thought I was just getting a cute play on chibi cats vs dogs, but the artwork and character designs belie a serious story.”
“If you're looking for a simple turn-based strategy game with a good enough story, I recommend this game.”
“The story is really generic and either poorly written or poorly translated (likely both) to the point where you're better off skipping the scenes entirely.”
“Most of the characters feel rather one-note and annoying, the writing has consistent errors, and the story is pretty much the exact cut & dry kind of war story that most games of this nature present you with.”
“Since the story branch for the true ending doesn't happen until around halfway in the campaign, it's a whole lot of droning mindless clobberfest as you replay that part of the game for no good reason or enjoyment.”
- gameplay20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its tactical depth and flexibility, allowing players to customize characters and strategies without the burden of heavy grinding. While the mechanics are competent and offer a variety of options, some players found the tutorial lacking, making it challenging to grasp the numerous features. Overall, the gameplay is engaging and reminiscent of previous titles from Rideon, appealing to fans of the genre.
“The game mechanics are competent enough, character customization is in depth, and there are plenty of ways to spice up gameplay with variety.”
“As a lot of reviewers have said thus far, the story and dialog leave much to be desired, but the gameplay is very flexible and robust, allowing the player to come up with whatever strategy and challenge they want, at whichever difficulty they want, with the option to completely break the game open and without making grinding too much of a chore since it is automated and sped up unlike other games.”
“Having to learn the deluge of extra mechanics by trying to decipher whatever English they used in their so-called 'manual' rather than a properly paced tutorial mission completely put me off.”
“The gameplay is overall simple and doesn't demand heavy grinding to get the setup you need.”
“It shares a lot of similarities with the Mercenaries Saga games (acronyms, abbreviations, combat mechanics, etc.), which makes sense because those were developed by Rideon Inc.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming and cute art style that draws players in, reminiscent of chibi designs and classic tactical RPG aesthetics. While it doesn't break new ground, the visuals effectively complement the game's lighthearted yet slightly political narrative, making for a comfortable and engaging experience. Overall, the artwork and character designs enhance the game's appeal, inviting players to invest hours into its multiple routes.
“The art style is definitely charming.”
“I thought I was just getting a cute play on chibi cats vs dogs, but the artwork and character designs belie a serious story.”
“It reminds me of an aesthetic cross between FFT WOTL and the Mercenaries Saga games.”
“Its doesn't do anything new but what I would describe it as is a comfy turn-based tactics; it has a slightly political story but doesn't get too dark or deep, it has a fun class system to mess around with and a cute looking art style, so yeah, comfy.”
- music9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally considered acceptable, with some tracks effectively immersing players in the world, including hints of Egyptian-inspired themes. However, opinions are mixed, as some find certain pieces annoying and feel the overall quality varies.
“Music draws you into the world.”
“I could hear a bit of Egyptian-inspired music in one of the stories.”
“The music is a bit of a mixed bag.”
“There's no voice acting and the music is a bit of a mixed bag.”
“Some of the music is kind of annoying.”
“I could hear a bit of Egyptian-ish music in one of the stories.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding in this game to be enjoyable and not overly demanding, as it is automated and sped up, allowing for a flexible and robust gameplay experience. Many appreciate the ability to grind for skill points and class levels without it feeling like a chore, despite some criticism of the story and dialogue. Overall, the grinding aspect contributes positively to the game's strategy and challenge.
“As a lot of reviewers have said thus far, the story and dialog leave much to be desired, but the gameplay is very flexible and robust, allowing the player to come up with whatever strategy and challenge they want, at whichever difficulty they want, with the option to completely break the game open and without making grinding too much of a chore since it is automated and sped up unlike other games.”
“I've finished one of the routes to the end and probably far longer than required grinding out classes to see what they are like, and I happily say that this is an enjoyable experience.”
“The gameplay is overall simple and doesn't demand heavy grinding to get the setup you need.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The Steam Deck version is widely regarded as superior in terms of optimization compared to the Switch, particularly for players who prioritize performance.
“The Steam Deck version is preferred over the Switch if performance matters to you.”
“Obviously, the Steam Deck version is preferred over the Switch if performance matters to you.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability, primarily through diverse character selection and the ability to unlock "true" endings, encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes.
“The game has great replay value thanks to the diverse character selection and the ability to unlock 'true' endings.”
“With multiple character choices and the option to discover 'true' endings, the replay value is impressive.”
“The replayability is enhanced by the variety of characters you can choose from and the challenge of unlocking all the 'true' endings.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers express disappointment in the character development, feeling that while the character designs are charming, they do not compensate for a lack of depth and growth in the characters themselves.
“The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
“The backstories and growth of each character are so well-crafted that I found myself emotionally invested in their arcs.”
