CrossCode

CrossCode has some annoying bits where improvements could be made, but if you have any interest in retro action-RPGs along the lines of Secret of Mana, then you really need to add this game to your collection. It takes a really long time to open up, but the mid-to-late game offers players a surprisingly in-depth combat system, very enjoyable characters and story, and some clever puzzles.

92%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, optimization

94% User Score Based on 17,744 reviews

Critic Score 74%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

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About CrossCode

CrossCode is a single player open world role playing shooter game with anime and science fiction themes. It was developed by Radical Fish Games and was released on September 20, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

This bundle includes the critically acclaimed indie RPG CrossCode and all DLC content.

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Reviews

94%Audience ScoreBased on 17,744 reviews

story5.1k positive mentions

grinding1.3k negative mentions

story
12,209 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41% positive mentions, 56% neutral mentions, 3% negative mentions
The story of Crosscode is a compelling blend of sci-fi and RPG elements, centered around Lea, a mute protagonist navigating a virtual MMO world to recover her lost memories. Players appreciate the emotional depth and character development, with many noting unexpected plot twists and engaging side quests that enhance the overall narrative experience. However, some critiques highlight pacing issues, particularly in the early game where the story unfolds slowly amidst numerous fetch quests and puzzles, which can detract from the narrative momentum. Overall, the story is well-received for its creativity and emotional resonance, making it a significant draw for players.
- “Crosscode takes place in a futuristic virtual world where Lea, a mute protagonist, progresses through dungeons and missions, meeting many friends along the way, all while she goes down a rabbit hole of hidden secrets and threats against her and the virtual space as she knows it.”
- “The narrative is expertly woven, with a rich cast of characters that add depth and emotional resonance to the story.”
- “The story is engaging, the gameplay is great, and the art is fantastic.”
- “Your story is not special and nobody needs you.”
- “The story is not groundbreaking, but it personally hit me quite hard at some interactions.”
- “The story is a mixed bag.”
gameplay
5,446 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43% positive mentions, 55% neutral mentions, 2% negative mentions
The gameplay in Crosscode is widely praised for its smooth, responsive mechanics that blend fast-paced combat, intricate puzzles, and exploration, reminiscent of classic action RPGs like The Legend of Zelda. Players appreciate the gradual introduction of new mechanics, which keeps the experience fresh and engaging, although some find the difficulty spikes in puzzles and combat can be frustrating. Overall, the game offers a rich, rewarding experience with a compelling story and charming characters, making it a standout title in the indie RPG genre.
- “Finally, what Crosscode offers the most is in the gameplay, being very smooth and responsive, featuring hours of puzzles, platforming, exploration, and combat.”
- “The gameplay in Crosscode is fast-paced and responsive, with a focus on exploration, puzzle-solving, and intense combat.”
- “The gameplay is fun and the story is so emotional and meaningful.”
- “From a gameplay perspective, the game is fairly simple and never really goes too in-depth in terms of forcing you to grind or engage with the RPG mechanics outside a surface level build.”
- “Some fights are just stupid with poorly telegraphed mechanics that even when you find out what to do you just do not want to, because it's the most annoying answer to 'how do I defeat this enemy.'”
- “However, the difficulty and dimension of the puzzles in the later stages make it hard for the majority of casual players to feel the fun; instead, it becomes a torturous existence when you are faced with multi-dimensional puzzles combining various elements such as time, mechanics, reaction, and so on.”
music
3,017 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59% positive mentions, 39% neutral mentions, 2% negative mentions
The music in *CrossCode* has received widespread acclaim for its vibrant and nostalgic 16-bit style, effectively enhancing the game's atmosphere and emotional depth. Composed by Deniz Akbulut, the soundtrack features a variety of engaging tracks that complement different environments and scenarios, although some players noted that the looping nature of certain tracks can become repetitive during extended play. Overall, the music is celebrated as a standout element of the game, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.
- “The soundtrack, composed by Deniz Akbulut, is equally impressive, featuring a hauntingly beautiful score that perfectly complements the game's atmosphere.”
- “The music complements the game perfectly, setting the mood for various scenarios, from intense battles to emotional moments, adding depth and dimension to the gaming experience.”
- “The soundtrack is truly amazing. The music is captivating and reminds me of the whimsical and beautiful music found in many old-school SNES games like Chrono Trigger.”
- “The music sucks, and the game is no fun at all for me!”
- “The music is nothing special and over time you from hearing the same music track for area repeatedly then it gets boring.”
- “You're going to be hearing the same soundtrack for the area you're in over and over and over, and it gets to the point where you just want to get to another area as quickly as possible, just to get a new soundtrack playing.”
graphics
2,289 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54% positive mentions, 44% neutral mentions, 2% negative mentions
The graphics of CrossCode have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art style, which evokes nostalgia for classic 16-bit games while incorporating modern design elements. Players appreciate the vibrant colors, detailed environments, and fluid animations that enhance the overall experience, although some have noted challenges with depth perception during platforming sections. Overall, the visuals are considered a highlight of the game, contributing significantly to its charm and immersive storytelling.
- “As stated, the graphics in Crosscode are just amazing, with such a vibrant and colorful atmosphere, topped off with a phenomenal soundtrack that complements the theme of every area Crosscode has to offer.”
- “The visuals in Crosscode are stunning, with vibrant, colorful graphics that bring the game's world to life.”
- “The pixel art style, combined with vibrant colors and intricate world design, creates a visually stunning environment that feels nostalgic yet modern.”
- “This is made incredibly painful by the fact that the game's graphics make it nearly impossible to tell exactly how high up something is - until you jump, can't reach it, and then have to backtrack across several areas - as well as the fact that (again) sometimes the jump is actually just difficult, and sometimes it's impossible and you have to take a different route or wait until some puzzle component is triggered.”
- “The 'retro' graphics make platforming guesswork.”
- “The only real complaint that comes to mind is that while I absolutely loved the environmental platforming puzzles, they occasionally became a pain due to the orthographic view making it hard to tell what height something is at relative to you.”
grinding
1,357 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2% positive mentions, 1% neutral mentions, 97% negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while grinding is prevalent, it can be both tedious and rewarding. Some players appreciate the engaging combat and exploration that make grinding feel less like a chore, while others find the low drop rates for items and repetitive fetch quests frustrating. Overall, the game offers a blend of enjoyable grinding mechanics and tedious elements, making it a polarizing experience depending on individual player preferences.
- “Unless you are aiming to 100% the game, no grinding is needed.”
- “One of my favorite things about this game is that it requires no grinding for levels, and by just playing the game you get most of the items you need for the few 'grind' quests that exist.”
- “Amazing story and OST, absolutely no grinding, never boring content.”
- “The pacing immediately grinds to a halt and you find yourself doing mindless fetch quests and grinding for nothing.”
- “The worst type of game, where they make something great, but decide to pad it out with grinding.”
- “The side quest design in this game is genuinely one of the most tedious I've ever experienced.”
emotional
587 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "CrossCode" is widely praised, with many players expressing deep emotional investment in the story and characters, often leading to tears during pivotal moments. The narrative is described as heartfelt and engaging, featuring a rich cast that evokes a range of feelings from joy to heartbreak, while the gameplay complements these emotional beats with challenging puzzles and dynamic combat. Overall, players find the game to be a touching journey that resonates on a personal level, making it a standout experience in emotional storytelling within the gaming medium.
- “I honestly didn't expect to get this emotionally invested in the game, but at the end of the game, I was literally crying because I was both happy and sad at the same time.”
- “Crosscode has made me feel deeply emotional in a way that a thousand other games couldn't.”
- “The story of Crosscode is emotionally gripping, fascinating, and very well thought-out, and it features a cast of great and loveable characters.”
- “Starts out strong but sadly becomes tedious backtracking and grinding, with horrible platforming and puzzles, leading to a boring story.”
- “Sometimes you spend a lot of time following the interesting story, while at other times you find yourself stuck in a boring narrative.”
humor
580 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing and well-crafted character interactions, often blending comedic moments with emotional depth. Players appreciate the unique charm of the silent protagonist, Lea, whose expressive animations and limited vocabulary lead to many funny situations. The game also features a wealth of meta-humor, gaming references, and light-hearted dialogue that keeps the experience engaging and entertaining throughout, making it a standout aspect of the overall gameplay.
- “The dialogue had me laughing so many times.”
- “It mixes humor and having dramatic moments very well; it might be a sad scene, but there will somehow be a joke that cracks you up a bit, cheering you through the sadness.”
- “The humor is also on point - they derive some pretty solid laughs from the overall premise and certain character traits, without feeling overly sarcastic or too-cool-for-this.”
- “It feels forced, and they may forget to add it in, so all the jokes are not funny. I know I can skip it in New Game Plus, but if someone new is playing the game, well...”
- “A good comedy show is 70% unfunny and 30% absolutely hilarious.”
atmosphere
204 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55% positive mentions, 44% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions
The atmosphere in CrossCode is widely praised for its vibrant graphics and immersive soundtrack, which together create a captivating and engaging world. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a faux-MMO feel, enhancing exploration and interaction with its charming environments and well-developed characters. While some find the repetitive nature of certain areas and puzzles a drawback, the overall ambiance remains a highlight, drawing players into its richly designed sci-fi setting.
- “The atmosphere of the game is phenomenal.”
- “The soundtrack, composed by Deniz Akbulut, is equally impressive, featuring a hauntingly beautiful score that perfectly complements the game's atmosphere.”
- “All of the areas of CrossCode are beautifully designed, and provided an excellent atmosphere via the outstanding soundtrack.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is immaculate and, while a tad predictable, the story draws you in and makes you want to find out every secret and understand all that is happening in the world.”
- “Atmosphere is not what I would call sci-fi or at least it's far from that with most of the time staying in ugly looking dungeons.”
- “And I love the atmosphere and idea of the game, but again I played 4 hours and the game didn't even start; it felt like a long 4-hour tutorial.”
character development
140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51% positive mentions, 47% neutral mentions, 2% negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly through the protagonist Lea and her interactions with a well-crafted supporting cast. Reviewers highlight the unique traits and personalities of each character, which foster player attachment and enhance the overall narrative experience. While some critiques mention a desire for more open-ended character progression, the game's storytelling and character arcs are generally regarded as exceptional, contributing significantly to its immersive world-building.
- “The character development is subtle & well-established, everyone gets a chance to shine, and there's not a single person I dislike.”
- “I have played a lot of games in my life, but I don't believe I have ever played a game (without voice acting) with as much character development as CrossCode.”
- “Not only is the story amazing, but the world-building, character development, and art for the game have been done all so well.”
- “Lots of puzzles getting in the way of my combat and character development.”
- “The downside is the fetch quests and confined/linear world/character development.”
- “I wish your own character development was more open-ended.”
optimization
129 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16% positive mentions, 57% neutral mentions, 27% negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game is a mixed bag, with many players experiencing occasional stuttering, crashes, and performance issues, particularly in busy areas or during intense combat. While some users report smooth performance and recommend adjusting settings or using specific versions to improve stability, others highlight significant optimization problems that detract from the experience. Despite these issues, many still find the game enjoyable and well-crafted, suggesting that it may appeal to those willing to navigate its performance quirks.
- “I liked that I had to think about how to approach a boss or arena battle (late-game content) to optimize my performance.”
- “Very well put together, high attention to detail, everything in this game is a silky smooth gaming experience and performance-wise.”
- “When it comes to optimization, CrossCode offers some of the most vast and important customization regarding the settings.”
- “Constant microstuttering that requires a mod to fix.”
- “The main flaws within the game lie with performance and options menu issues.”
- “There's a lot of potential, and I do understand that it's early access, but it has a lot of optimization problems to deal with, especially in main battles (which consist of 90% of the game since they take so long to finally win).”
replayability
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27% positive mentions, 65% neutral mentions, 8% negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability primarily through its customizable New Game Plus (NG+) mode, which allows players to tailor their experience and explore various playstyles and interactions. While many players appreciate the depth and variety provided by NG+ and skill trees, some feel that replay value may diminish after a few playthroughs. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging mechanics and the potential for endless replayability, though opinions vary on how often players will return to it.
- “The customizable new game+ options create a lot of replayability.”
- “Everything about this game is perfect to me: wonderful story, clever puzzle design, tight fun combat, and many different awesome options for new game plus runs for hours upon hours of replayability, an underrated gem if ever there was one.”
- “There's so much depth within the easy-to-grasp mechanics that I can see myself coming back using new tools I've learned to get even more out of the experience, and after seeing how many options new game plus has to offer on my finished switch file, this game seems to be an endlessly replayable labor of love that's skyrocketed up my list of all-time favorites.”
- “4/10 - this is a 16-bit feeling, retro-style action game, with a high twitch reflex skill curve, and dubious replayability.”
- “~ replayability is nonexistent.”
- “Cons: depending if you like the game you may get some replay value out of it, but if you are like me then you will find no interest in playing the game again.”
stability
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18% positive mentions, 6% neutral mentions, 76% negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches, particularly on Linux and during specific gameplay scenarios. However, several users noted that the game runs smoothly on platforms like the Steam Deck and that most glitches are minor and non-game-breaking, often adding a humorous element to the experience. Overall, while there are stability issues, many players find the game enjoyable and playable despite these quirks.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “No bugs, no glitches, no crashes, no lags; everything works perfectly. Can't believe this is in early access.”
- “Wonderful game so far, runs great on my laptop and I'm enjoying the little secrets.”
- “Like, 'I know how to solve this puzzle, but the fiddly aiming controls and buggy sliding boxes means it takes 10 minutes to actually complete it' - tedious.”
- “Expected something way less stable, buggy, and slow.”
- “I used to play this game calmly on my machine (since 2020 when I bought it), but for some reason currently when I try to play and click on the 'options' button the game freezes and gives a critical error screen claiming that the 'button does not exist'.”
monetization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14% positive mentions, 15% neutral mentions, 71% negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players feeling misled by advertising and expressing concerns about microtransactions and the prevalence of ads. While the game is praised for its quality and gameplay experience, there is a strong sentiment against the trend of modern games relying on cash grabs and unnecessary grind, highlighting a desire for more polished experiences without intrusive monetization practices.
- “Crosscode is challenging but very fair, has wonderful visuals and highly polished animations with intense visual feedback on speed and power of characters and actions, well written dialog and story makes characters easy to relate to and an excellent soundtrack that I'm sure I will listen to for many years. It's almost a tragedy that many people will skip this game simply because of the art style. We must work together to spread the word and tell the whole world that we need more polished, rich, and masterful games like this and less microtransactions and day 1 patches.”
- “I feel like I was misled by the advertising.”
- “I still feel that the game has misleading advertising, and is an MMO, and although it is suggested that you can just spend credits to get suitable gear for new areas, that hasn't lined up with my (admittedly early) experiences.”
- “When it feels like most modern AAA games become cash grabs with microtransactions and pointless grind, this game overall flowed very well.”

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Critic Reviews

74%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

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Play Times

45h Median play time

48h Average play time

35h Main story

78h Completionist

20-70h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 222 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

CrossCode is a open world role playing shooter game with anime and science fiction themes. Common tags for CrossCode include indie, trading, exploration, pixel graphics, cyberpunk and others.

CrossCode is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

The main story can be completed in around 35 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 78 hours to finish. On average players spend around 48 hours playing CrossCode.

CrossCode was released on September 20, 2018.

CrossCode was developed by Radical Fish Games.

CrossCode has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked CrossCode for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

CrossCode is a single player game.

Similar games include Secrets of Grindea, Phoenotopia: Awakening, Sea of Stars, Chained Echoes, Owlboy and others.

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