Crossing Souls

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 450 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Crossing Souls Game Cover
Crossing Souls tries to channel the camaraderie of The Goonies, the whimsy of Back to the Future and the magic of E.T. and combine it all into one unforgettable video game. Safe to say, it achieves this – and a whole lot more.
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In Crossing Souls, play as a group of kids with unique abilities who discover a mysterious pink stone that lets them travel between realms. Set in 1986 California, this action-adventure game has you fighting enemies, solving puzzles, and battling bosses, all while saving your families and the world. Experience special arcade-inspired levels and switch between characters to utilize their special skills.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 450 reviews
story148 positive mentions
grinding19 negative mentions
  • The game beautifully captures the nostalgic feel of the 80s with its retro graphics and engaging soundtrack.
  • The story is heartfelt and features well-developed characters, making players emotionally invested in their journey.
  • The gameplay combines various genres, including action, puzzles, and platforming, providing a diverse experience.
  • The difficulty spikes in the later stages can be frustrating, especially with unskippable cutscenes before boss fights.
  • Some puzzles are poorly designed or lack clear instructions, leading to confusion and unnecessary backtracking.
  • The character switching mechanic, while interesting, can feel cumbersome and disrupt the flow of gameplay.
  • story380 mentions

    The story of "Crossing Souls" is a nostalgic homage to the 80s, filled with pop culture references and a heartfelt narrative about friendship and overcoming adversity. While many players appreciate its emotional depth and engaging characters, some criticize it for being overly reliant on clichés and lacking originality, with pacing issues and a somewhat disjointed plot in the latter half. Overall, the game offers a charming experience that resonates with fans of the era, though it may leave some wanting more in terms of character development and coherence.

    • “The story is really good; it's a big tribute/love letter to the 80s that is chock full of references and easter eggs to movies, cartoon shows, and music. It tells a heartfelt story about a group of kids facing overwhelming odds, with plenty of great moments ranging from heartfelt to funny and tragic.”
    • “The story and adventure of the whole game was wonderful; I laughed, I cried, and I'll tell you, this game was well worth playing to the very end.”
    • “The writing is excellent, with a story full of surprising moments and countless touching moments, a real rarity when it comes to games like this.”
    • “The story is kinda weak and generic (very Goonies/Stranger Things reminiscent but without originality) and a bit rushed at the beginning.”
    • “The story starts well but just kind of never finds its traction and ultimately left me feeling unsatisfied, so I really can't recommend it for that reason.”
    • “The story is forgettable at most... no.”
  • gameplay211 mentions

    The gameplay of "Crossing Souls" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its nostalgic 80s aesthetic and character-switching mechanics, but criticizing its repetitive and simplistic combat, as well as inconsistent pacing. While some enjoy the blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and action-adventure elements, others find the mechanics lack depth and polish, leading to frustration and a loss of interest as the game progresses. Overall, the game is seen as charming but ultimately hindered by its gameplay execution.

    • “Combining nostalgic 80s vibes with action-adventure gameplay, it features a charming blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat.”
    • “This game is an absolute masterpiece, its amazing and perfect, satisfying gameplay and mechanics, very good story and gameplay loop, so far, the best top down pixel style RPG ever.”
    • “The gameplay is fluid and the combat system is semi-challenging, but pretty much anyone could pick up a controller and do well.”
    • “It's unfortunate because the style of this game is much better than the mechanics, so for me it became not very fun very quickly.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay is repetitive, boring, and frustrating (not a fun challenge).”
    • “The gameplay is bland, the story is intentionally over-cliched, so much it's annoying.”
  • music138 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic 80s vibe, featuring a mix of synthwave and orchestral scores reminiscent of John Williams. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout element, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the game, with many tracks being described as "bangers" that evoke strong feelings of nostalgia. While some players noted a lack of variety in certain combat music, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The music is very good with plenty of great tracks that fit every part of the game very well, with dramatic and emotional themes and just random songs that just make you want to stop and listen too.”
    • “The soundtrack is an absolute banger.”
    • “The soundtrack is lovely and suits the 80's feeling.”
    • “I also hate it sometimes when you go into battle with random enemies you encounter and barely hear any fighting music going on in the background, except for bosses where it is epic as hell, but with normal enemies, it is the same boring music with very loud attacking sounds when hitting the enemies.”
    • “The music is incredibly annoying.”
    • “The devs don't know how to handle gameplay; it is very clear that all the budget went to art and soundtrack.”
  • graphics132 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant pixel art style and nostalgic 80s aesthetic, effectively capturing the charm of retro cartoons and video games. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful detail, engaging animations, and colorful visuals that enhance the overall experience, although some note inconsistencies in art style and occasional graphical glitches. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's nostalgic appeal and immersive atmosphere.

    • “The pixel graphics art style is really good with a nice use of color even in darker areas; there is also plenty of beautiful detail that makes the whole game's world stand out.”
    • “With pixel graphics, VHS-styled cut-scenes, and a story-line that would not look out of place in a blockbuster rental, this game oozes with style and nostalgia for anyone with any history or knowledge of the 1980's movie/tv/music scene.”
    • “Bright and colorful, the game was beautiful showcasing not just great pixel graphics but also fun, hand-drawn cut scenes in the vein of old Saturday morning cartoons that made me feel like grabbing a bowl of super sugary covered deliciousness for breakfast.”
    • “The cardinal sin is the inconsistent art style though, I really hate that every single one of your party members is depicted in four different ways.”
    • “While the game's art and story are very nice and evocative of a 90s kids TV show aesthetic, the game is ruined by its actual gameplay.”
    • “The random Saturday morning cartoon style cutscenes often seem out of place.”
  • emotional30 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling, nostalgic references to the 80s, and a mix of touching, funny, and tragic moments that resonate with players. Many reviewers noted the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, with some expressing that it made them laugh and cry, particularly highlighting the poignant ending. However, a few critiques mention that certain characters felt flat, which detracted from the overall emotional impact for some players.

    • “The story and adventure of the whole game was wonderful; I laughed, I cried, and I'll tell you, this game was well worth playing to the very end.”
    • “The last levels were so painful that it almost ruined the ending, which had a strong emotional charge and was kind of a bittersweet ending - something that surprised me and almost made me drop a tear, an epic ending for an 80's adventure movie.”
    • “A marvelous, emotional game that just gets deeper as it goes on.”
  • humor20 mentions

    The humor in the game is a blend of clever dialogue, nostalgic references, and hidden gems that resonate particularly with fans of 80s culture, though some players find it uneven and occasionally overstaying its welcome. While many appreciate the campy and corny elements, others feel that the humor can be hit-or-miss, with some moments lacking depth as the story progresses. Overall, the game successfully captures a lighthearted tone amidst its deeper themes, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate its retro influences.

    • “The dialog is top notch, not to mention very funny, and the game is packed with hilarious hidden gems.”
    • “The game is equally devastating and hilarious with many easter eggs and hidden achievements to find/collect.”
    • “Add in a great sense of humor and a deep love for the genre as well as the nostalgic theme and you got yourself a winner.”
    • “It's not funny.”
    • “The humor falls flat and feels forced.”
    • “I expected more laughs, but the jokes just didn't land.”
  • grinding19 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and repetitive, with many describing the gameplay as boring and frustrating. The lack of engaging mechanics, coupled with tedious combat and platforming challenges, detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of monotony throughout the experience. Many reviewers express that the grinding feels unrewarding and detracts from the narrative and character development, making it a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.

    • “The plot fizzles out around the death of the second main character; the platform section at the end was just tediously frustrating, robbing me of all enjoyment built up at the start of the game.”
    • “Killing enemies is tedious and repetitive, also not rewarding.”
    • “The protagonists and story are void of depth, passion, or creativity; the gameplay is basic but made tedious by the five different characters you have to cycle through every time you want to perform one single action.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising its nostalgic 80s vibe, vibrant graphics, and engaging soundtrack that evoke a sense of childhood wonder. However, some critiques highlight inconsistencies, such as awkward sound design and a lack of coherence in the overall mood, leading to moments that feel aimless or dull. Overall, while the atmosphere is celebrated for its charm and nostalgic references, it can also be uneven in execution.

    • “Pretty epic piece of nostalgia with an awesome atmosphere and tons of film references.”
    • “The atmosphere, the soundtrack, and the graphics really add to the nostalgia, and I found the cut scenes to be amazing.”
    • “Brilliant action adventure with a charming tale and a lot of heart, capturing the atmosphere of the 80s perfectly.”
    • “There is dog barking in a handful of areas of the game that does not suit the atmosphere, oddly in most indoor areas.”
    • “Unless ambient sound or music adds value to the atmosphere and overall gameplay experience, there is no need for it.”
    • “I understand that the developers wanted to create a specific mood and atmosphere but it was a misfire.”
  • stability13 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting various bugs and glitches that affect gameplay, including issues with platforming and control mapping. While some players found the experience enjoyable despite these frustrations, others described it as infuriating and criticized the overall polish for a title from an established studio. Graphical glitches and occasional framerate hiccups further detract from the experience, leading to a mixed reception regarding stability.

    • “This is a cute game with a cool story, but it's pretty buggy and way harder than it has any business being, so I made this patch to make it more fun if you want to try it that way.”
    • “The platforming is way too buggy and you cannot remap the controls at all, so your left hand becomes extremely cramped as you try to both jump and hold onto things.”
    • “Also, how can a game made by an established studio be so damn buggy.”
  • character development8 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized for being insufficient and lacking depth, with many players feeling disconnected from the characters and their journeys. While some appreciate the aesthetic and design elements, the overall execution leaves much to be desired, resulting in a narrative that feels inconsistent and unengaging. Despite a few positive mentions of pop culture references, the general consensus is that character growth is minimal and fails to enhance the gameplay experience.

    • “The scenery was beautiful at times and the character design was great.”
    • “From the pop culture references to the character development, this game is on point.”
    • “Fun character designs, nice aesthetic, interesting gameplay concept, interesting story concept...and yet, it goes nowhere with any of it.”
    • “My problem is that it is not long enough and there is not a lot of character development.”
    • “Besides plot-driven character development, everything you start the game with is what you finish the game with.”
    • “Character development is lacking, making situations seem contrived; certain scenarios can feel unfairly demanding and frustrating. A few throwback set pieces can seem like inconsequential filler, and some tropes are dated and tiresome.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, the game has low replayability, primarily offering minimal incentives beyond collecting missed items or achievements. Players can expect around 10+ hours of gameplay if they explore different character perspectives, but many reviewers suggest waiting for a sale due to the lack of substantial replay value.

    • “Because of this, its replayability is pretty low; you'd mostly just be starting a new game to find collectibles you missed the first time around.”
    • “Not much replay value, but you will at least get 10+ hours as long as you try to get and see everything from each character's viewpoint.”
    • “The game has no replay value at all, other than getting the achievements.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

Buy Crossing Souls

Play time

21hMedian play time
17hAverage play time
10-24hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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