Xanadu Next

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 759 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Xanadu Next Game Cover
Xanadu Next encapsulates the design philosophies of the early-to-mid 2000's Falcom, culminating in one of the best PC games I've played in years. You owe it to yourself to give this game a shot.
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In "Xanadu Next," explore Harlech Island and search for the elusive Castle Strangerock to solve its mysteries. Charlotte, a scholar, and her reborn knight friend work together to uncover artifacts and learn about the castle. However, danger lurks around every corner, and the knight's life is at risk, setting the stage for a perilous adventure.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 759 reviews
story98 positive mentions
grinding99 negative mentions
  • Engaging combat system that emphasizes positioning and strategy, making battles feel satisfying.
  • Well-designed interconnected world with plenty of secrets and shortcuts, encouraging exploration.
  • Atmospheric soundtrack that enhances the overall experience and complements the game's dark fantasy vibe.
  • Controls can be clunky, especially when using a gamepad, and navigating menus often requires a mouse.
  • The key system can be tedious, as many doors require keys that must be purchased, leading to unnecessary backtracking.
  • Some achievements are bugged, making it difficult for completionists to fully enjoy the game.
  • story324 mentions

    The story in the game is generally regarded as decent, with many players appreciating its simplicity and the way it unfolds through exploration and the discovery of lore items like tablets and diaries. While some find it engaging and emotionally resonant, others describe it as somewhat generic or lacking depth, often comparing it to classic JRPG tropes. Overall, the narrative is seen as a solid complement to the gameplay, providing enough intrigue to keep players invested without overshadowing the action.

    • “The story is extremely good, and I loved reading all of the documents I got.”
    • “The story, atmosphere, music, and level design are all crafted competently, and because it is a rather short game, it was over before my annoyances with it could sour my gameplay experience.”
    • “The plot is one of a great mystery, and it's a joy to see bits and pieces of it revealed through character dialogue and archived reading material discovered by the player.”
    • “The storytelling in this game isn't stellar.”
    • “So, yeah, the story fell flat for me.”
    • “The story is of all things the lowest point of the game, usually the story cutscenes consist of character models staring at one another while text scrolls and no, the story is not good.”
  • gameplay260 mentions

    The gameplay of "Xanadu Next" is characterized by a blend of simple yet satisfying mechanics, reminiscent of classic action RPGs like Diablo and Ys, with an emphasis on exploration, positioning, and engaging combat. Players appreciate the variety in boss fights and the depth of RPG systems, such as stat allocation and guardian spirits, although some mechanics can feel clunky or grind-heavy. Overall, the game offers an addictive loop and enjoyable experience, particularly for fans of the genre, despite some noted flaws in controls and pacing.

    • “Boss fights are a real high point; despite these simple mechanics, they are varied and involve unique mechanics and phases.”
    • “It's simple combat micro loop keeps you engaged as you're always dodging around and finding enemy's backs to exploit, while the depth of RPG mechanics keeps you satisfied with needing to swap in better or more appropriate gear for the situation at hand.”
    • “Xanadu Next takes the basic gameplay of Diablo, combines it with the action of Ys, injects some Zelda puzzle solving, and places it in an interconnected, atmospheric world similar to Dark Souls.”
    • “Persistent stuttering mars gameplay, detracting from the otherwise engrossing experience.”
    • “The gameplay is very repetitive; grinding for weapon skills is slow.”
    • “In order to reach a somewhat passable gameplay time length, they really had to stretch things out in this game through excessive grinding, recolored/reused enemies, and the awful key system.”
  • music256 mentions

    The music in "Xanadu Next" is widely praised for its atmospheric and evocative qualities, effectively enhancing the game's mood and setting. While it diverges from the more energetic styles typical of Falcom's other franchises, the soundtrack is described as soothing, melancholic, and fitting for the game's themes, with standout tracks that resonate with players. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.

    • “There's something truly magical about the moment you start a game and are greeted with a stunning soundtrack and an intro that feels like it's been tailored just for you.”
    • “What Symphony of the Night’s music did for gothic castles, Xanadu Next’s does for Celtic high fantasy and is, in my opinion, one of the best soundtracks of its kind around.”
    • “The music, Falcom's specialty, also helps immensely with setting the mood, and even more notably, Xanadu Next, save for one appropriate moment, doesn't use their signature guitar-heavy style.”
    • “The music is either generic or completely obnoxious (the final boss theme is actually good); the game used a whole crapton of recolored enemies.”
    • “Story is dull, music isn't exciting, and characters aren't very interesting.”
    • “Unfortunately, the music couldn't hold a candle to what could be found in Ys; the graphics were uglier than lower-bit Ys games, and the character felt clunkier.”
  • graphics158 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, reflecting its 2005 origins, with many reviewers noting a nostalgic charm despite their antiquated appearance. While some find the visuals serviceable and fitting for the genre, others criticize them as muddy or bland, with occasional graphical bugs. Overall, the aesthetic is appreciated by fans of classic RPGs, but may not appeal to those expecting modern graphical fidelity.

    • “I firmly believe that this game is the peak of game visuals.”
    • “While the game's graphics may appear somewhat antiquated initially, they seamlessly complement the title's nostalgic charm.”
    • “This game has such a specific kind of art style that sometimes I find myself in the exact mood for; the combat and dungeons feel perfectly aged and the whole atmosphere is just so good.”
    • “The game’s graphics are really dated and honestly quite ugly today.”
    • “The dated graphics are a major turn off and people expecting infinite replay value in character builds and equipment will be disappointed.”
    • “When it comes to the graphics though, this game falls a little flat.”
  • grinding99 mentions

    The game features a significant amount of grinding, which players find both rewarding and occasionally tedious. While some enjoy the classic RPG elements and the challenge of leveling up, others feel that the grinding can become excessive, particularly for money and experience. Overall, the grinding is described as fun and integral to the gameplay, though it may deter those who prefer a more streamlined experience.

    • “A couple things I could criticize: the game heavily incentivizes grinding; though the leveling system itself is brilliant, you will still burn some hours if you want to get ahead.”
    • “The grinding, as I've said, was one of the worst experiences I had to endure because throughout the game you're forced to level your character to progress.”
    • “In order to reach a somewhat passable gameplay time length, they really had to stretch things out in this game through excessive grinding, recolored/reused enemies, and the awful key system.”
  • atmosphere72 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its haunting and immersive qualities, enhanced by a memorable soundtrack and well-crafted environments. Reviewers highlight the eerie, desolate settings and the emotional depth conveyed through music, which together create a unique and engaging experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a standout feature that elevates the gameplay, making it a memorable journey through its interconnected world.

    • “The island's eerie, desolate and lost to time feel is beautifully conveyed through the atmospheric, memorable music and the environments.”
    • “In combination with the music, this adds a great melancholy/haunting/ancient atmosphere to the whole game.”
    • “The game’s sound design and music on the other hand are spectacular, the sound effects convey an incredible atmosphere and the game’s soundtrack is equally as haunting.”
    • “The art direction and atmosphere is a bit darker and a bit less anime-y, but overall it's the same.”
    • “Xanadu next focuses much more on dungeon crawling and exploration, and the atmosphere is relatively dark.”
    • “While there may have been much better games graphically even at its original release of 2005, the overall atmosphere and design just feels... right, and well-detailed.”
  • optimization16 mentions

    The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting persistent stuttering, frequent crashes, and poor performance even on high-end systems. Despite attempts to implement various fixes, many users find the game unplayable, particularly after extended sessions, and express frustration over the lack of effective solutions for these long-standing issues. Additionally, the controller support is noted as subpar, further detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Very fun game! It's like classic Zelda, but for the love of God, use dgVoodoo to improve performance.”
    • “Constant stuttering and frequent random crashing have made this game unplayable for me, and little to no solution exists online as people have been posting about said issues for years with little result.”
    • “Despite attempting various recommended fixes, none proved effective in resolving the stuttering, leading to frequent interruptions during play and bad framerate.”
    • “The stuttering issue is a disgrace for a game that came out on Steam 7 years ago and it is a disgrace in 2023.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its nostalgic design elements, such as the comically proportioned minotaur model reminiscent of early PS2 titles. Players find amusement in quirky features, like the absurdity of a 32-bit color mode that crashes if not enabled, and the overall comedic tone of the JRPG, which complements its engaging story and gameplay. While some controls may lead to humorous targeting mishaps, the game is generally recommended for fans of the genre.

    • “There's something nostalgic about the hilariously proportioned minotaur model that gives you that early PS2 vibe.”
    • “It's extremely funny that all resolutions are 32-bit color, but you can choose not to enable 32-bit color mode, which will then just crash on load.”
    • “Very funny JRPG, interesting story and gameplay.”
  • stability9 mentions

    The stability of the game has received significant criticism, with users reporting numerous bugs, including achievement tracking issues, graphical glitches, and even complete game crashes. While some players noted that the game runs well at times, the overall experience is marred by these persistent stability problems.

    • “Runs great as well.”
    • “Unfortunately, it's also buggy as heck.”
    • “Finally, there are quite a few bugs I encountered: graphical glitches, an enemy skills malfunction, and even a complete game crash.”
    • “Xanadu Next is a classic action RPG from one of my favorite developers with a fantastic score that is let down by a buggy release.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    Players find the game's story to be simple yet deeply emotional, culminating in a powerful and beautiful ending that resonates strongly. The narrative effectively serves as an emotional backdrop, enhancing the overall experience and keeping players engaged throughout.

    • “Other than that, this game really fired on all cylinders for me and kept me hooked the whole way: I loved the story, which, as simple as it was, felt very emotional and had an incredible payoff ending to it.”
    • “It also provides a backdrop for the emotional crutch of the story.”
    • “And all this adds up to an incredibly beautiful, genuinely emotional ending.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    Overall, the game offers decent replayability with engaging gameplay and side content to explore. However, some players may find the dated graphics off-putting and feel that the potential for infinite replay value in character builds and equipment is limited.

    • “Decent game with good replayability.”
    • “Really fun and engaging gameplay, fun system, replayability, side content to complete.”
    • “The dated graphics are a major turn off and people expecting infinite replay value in character builds and equipment will be disappointed.”
    • “The dated graphics are a major turn-off, and people expecting infinite replay value in character builds and equipment will be disappointed.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development is notably strong, as the focused setting allows for deeper exploration of each resident's personality and issues, contrasting with other games that feature less engaging protagonists. Unlike titles that rely heavily on character design, this game emphasizes narrative depth over visual style, with character growth primarily influenced by equipment rather than traditional storytelling methods.

    • “Your weapons and armor are the only things that dictate your character development.”
    • “Keeping the story in one place lets you get to know the personality and problems of each resident - a strength I am happy to see was not reserved for the Trails games, which pay a steep bloating cost for somewhat more character development than we get from the empty vessel Adol or the silent protagonist of Xanadu.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

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Play time

2hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
2-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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