CROSSNIQ

About

CROSSNIQ is a single player and multiplayer arcade puzzle game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Max Krieger and was released on October 3, 2019. It received positive reviews from players.

CROSSNIQ is a fast-paced tile-sliding puzzle game where the objective is to create a "cross" of same-colored tiles to clear them and earn points. This is done by moving tiles horizontally or vertically, with the game offering various control options including mouse, controller, or touch screen. The game becomes increasingly challenging as you race against the clock, with the timer refilling each time you clear a cross.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+16

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 154 reviews

graphics28 positive mentions

character development3 negative mentions

CROSSNIQ+ features a captivating Y2K aesthetic with vibrant visuals and an engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
The gameplay is addictive and offers a unique twist on traditional puzzle mechanics, making it easy to learn but challenging to master.
The game includes various modes, such as Chillout and Versus, providing players with different ways to enjoy the puzzle-solving experience.

Setting up inputs for controllers and keyboards can be frustrating, with many players experiencing issues that hinder their initial gameplay experience.
The lack of online multiplayer and AI opponents in Versus mode limits the game's replayability and social interaction options.
Some players find the interface overly minimalistic, leading to confusion and difficulty in navigating menus and understanding game mechanics.

graphics
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
66%
4%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant and nostalgic y2k aesthetic, which many reviewers describe as visually stunning and engaging. The overall presentation is considered top-tier, effectively capturing the essence of late 90s to early 2000s design, complemented by a fitting soundtrack. However, some users noted minor graphical glitches and a desire for more customization options, indicating that while the aesthetic is strong, there is room for improvement in technical aspects.
- “The overall presentation is sublime and the game is an absolute masterwork of y2k aesthetics.”
- “If you're a fan of the y2k aesthetic, you'll adore every bit of the design in this game.”
- “The aesthetic perfectly reflects the y2k era.”
- “On the technical side of things, it's a bit underwhelming as well; the only graphical settings are a small amount of resolutions and some accessibility options for the backgrounds; this isn't a Serious Sam game.”
- “Visually, it's absolutely fantastic in almost every regard save for a few minor graphical glitches and one really glaring part, which I'll get to later.”
- “The overall presentation is sublime and the game is an absolute masterwork of y2k aesthetics, but compared to the beta on itch, I was hoping for more control options, a more robust leaderboard (can only see top 5??), custom games (more colors or disabling lock tiles), and online multiplayer.”
music
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
48%
4%
The music in Crossniq+ has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its fantastic soundtrack that captures the essence of the y2k aesthetic and draws inspiration from 90s electronic and rave music. Composed by artists virix dreamcore and dv-i, the soundtrack features a mix of engaging tracks that enhance the gameplay experience, although some players noted a limited selection of in-game songs. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's enjoyable atmosphere and aesthetic appeal.
- “The music is fantastic, too, and so far I haven't found myself tiring of the soundtrack.”
- “One thing I want to note in particular is the game's soundtrack, as it's one of my all-time favorite game soundtracks for sure.”
- “Crossniq+ is a y2k-styled puzzle game that looks like someone took a Dreamcast game and flung it 20 years into the future, with an interface and soundtrack that feels reminiscent of games like Wipeout or ChuChu Rocket.”
- “Decent puzzle game, but the music is sort of technobland and the gameplay wears thin after a while.”
- “Although, I do believe that in-game there are only about three songs to select from (I'm not sure if there's a way to unlock more, but I don't think so), and that's kind of disappointing.”
- “In fact, the game doesn't remember any of your options (color palette, grid size, input method, song choice) the instant you close it out.”
gameplay
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
63%
10%
The gameplay of Crossniq+ is a unique blend of color-matching and slider puzzle mechanics, offering a refreshing twist on traditional puzzle games. While it features a chill mode for newcomers and an engaging core loop, players have noted issues such as "frozen tiles" that can hinder progress and lead to frustrating game overs. Despite these challenges, the game is praised for its charming concept, enjoyable mechanics, and impressive visual design, making it a worthwhile experience for puzzle enthusiasts.
- “A fun mechanic in a robust package.”
- “Good, unique puzzle game, with an amazing soundtrack and gameplay loop.”
- “If you're looking for a more unique approach to the common and a tad overused mechanics of many puzzle games, then absolutely pick this up; it's worth the money and it makes for a great time killer and brain motivator.”
- “That said, the gameplay is encumbered by not only requiring a cross instead of a single line, but also very early on starts preventing certain tiles from wrapping around and eventually crippling entire chunks of the grid with 'frozen tiles' (which once spawned in a corner that prevented every possible cross and forced a game over).”
- “Crossniq+ has a ton of issues with its gameplay.”
- “The main gameplay loop consists of you shuffling a puzzle board to make crosses - intersections of a horizontal and vertical line of the same color.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
Character development in the game is notably enhanced, with the creator implementing various features that add depth and personality, moving beyond the basic gameplay of previous builds. While opinions on character designs are mixed, with some finding them cute and others criticizing them, the overall effort to enrich the game's character aspect is evident.
- “Maker really went the extra mile with a lot of the other features. He could've just left the game as it was, but he went above and beyond to not only make his game a better experience, but also to give it personality.”
- “The character development adds depth to the gameplay, making each character feel unique and engaging.”
- “The last thing of note in Crossniq+ is that the character designs are bad.”
- “Maker really went the extra mile with a lot of the other features, but he could've just left the game as it was. The previous build just had the timed mode and endless, no multiplayer, no character designs, no unlocks, none of that, but he went above and beyond to not only make his game a better game, but also to give it personality.”
- “The character designs are really cute!”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game lacks a traditional story mode or additional unlockable modes, focusing instead on purchasable music and backgrounds using in-game currency, with no microtransactions involved.
- “There's no story mode, no extra modes to unlock. You can buy additional music and backgrounds (with in-game currency, of course, no microtransactions) but that's about it.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is generally strong, with users praising its visual quality; however, there are some minor graphical glitches and one significant issue that detracts from the experience.
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game has limited replayability due to the absence of online multiplayer and the confusing lack of an AI opponent, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “Not that much replay value - no online multiplayer is strange, but the lack of an AI opponent is just confusing.”