Xanthiom Zero

About

In "Xanthiom Zero," venture as Captain Grisham to investigate Planet 4-514, battling powerful enemies and bosses while collecting items and powering up weapons. With over 70 items, 5000 weapon combinations, and multiple biomes, each playthrough offers unique challenges. Earn achievements to unlock game-altering modifiers and enjoy the original soundtrack and art created by a dedicated duo.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 71 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

The game features a highly customizable weapon system that allows for unique playstyles and experimentation.
Fluid movement and well-designed level exploration enhance the overall gameplay experience, making it enjoyable and engaging.
The game offers a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic Metroid titles, with a solid balance of challenge and accessibility.

The music can become repetitive and annoying over time, detracting from the overall experience.
Some players may find the early game slow and challenging, which could discourage them from continuing.
The map can feel small and somewhat claustrophobic, limiting the sense of exploration compared to larger Metroidvanias.

gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
27%
The gameplay is praised for its fun and fluid mechanics, particularly the innovative weapon combo system and classic metroidvania elements. While the game offers engaging challenges and a nostalgic feel, some players noted that certain setups can overshadow others, and a few puzzles may be less polished. Overall, the gameplay experience is described as tight and enjoyable, despite minor UI issues.
- “The mechanics are all well designed and run really fluid.”
- “Sweet little metroidvania with nice graphics and snappy gameplay.”
- “Its a metroidvania style game with a good 'feel' and a fun weapon mechanic that lets you upgrade and mix weapon effects to create some totally bonkers weapon firing styles.”
- “Usual abilities like double jump need to be found, along with some unique abilities like Soul Rush, which you pick up towards the end of the game. It feels very much like a Sonic the Hedgehog style mechanic!”
- “This reminds me of an NES game but with modern mechanics.”
- “Edit: The actual gameplay length is half the time you see in this review.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
22%
33%
The music in the game is initially praised for its quality, but many players find it becomes repetitive and annoying due to limited tracks and short loops. While some appreciate the overall soundtrack, there are calls for improvement in future titles to enhance the listening experience.
- “Great gameplay, bosses, music, and map.”
- “The first thing I noticed was the music.”
- “Minor criticism to the devs, invest a little more in the music in the next game.”
- “However, I've vastly underestimated how awful repetitive music generated by some simulated FM chip can sound.”
- “It's a bit too low-res for me, and the music becomes grating really fast due to how short the loops are.”
- “Minor criticism to the devs: invest a little more in the music in the next game.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
13%
25%
The story is generally considered to be serviceable, providing a basic framework that supports gameplay without being overly intrusive or memorable. While some players find it enjoyable and engaging, particularly through NPC dialogues and lore, others describe it as forgettable yet functional, primarily serving to enhance exploration and item collection. Overall, the narrative elements contribute positively to the experience, even if they don't stand out significantly.
- “I really enjoyed the load-out customization and story.”
- “I won't spoil the story but it's genuinely gripping, delivered in small dialogues with NPCs and wall carvings, but not too much you want to skip through the text.”
- “The story is... ok; it doesn't get in the way, which is enough.”
- “The story gives purpose to finding items, so at least it was present to move you forward.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, minimalistic art style that evokes nostalgia for NES-era classics while still feeling modern. Users appreciate the snappy gameplay and the well-designed environments, noting that some areas, like those in "Escape from Tethys," offer more visual depth. Overall, the graphics contribute to a sweet old-school vibe that enhances the gaming experience.
- “Sweet little metroidvania with nice graphics and snappy gameplay.”
- “The environments in Escape from Tethys, for example, had a little bit more meat to them from the start, along with better visuals.”
- “The environments in Escape from Tethys, for example, had a little bit more depth to them from the start, along with better visuals.”
- “While the graphics may remind us of the NES-era classics, the game feels thoroughly modern.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Xanthiom Zero is highly regarded for its replayability, with players praising its engaging metroidvania elements that encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “Xanthiom Zero is just a fantastic metroidvania that is really replayable.”
- “The variety of paths and choices in Xanthiom Zero makes each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
- “With multiple endings and hidden secrets, Xanthiom Zero offers endless replayability.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The optimization of the game is highly praised, particularly on the ROG Ally, where it runs flawlessly even on the lowest power settings with minimal battery drain.
- “Performance on the ROG Ally was flawless; I played on the lowest power setting and it hardly drained the battery at all.”
- “The game's optimization is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end hardware.”
- “I appreciate how well the game runs on various systems, making it accessible to a wider audience.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere is heightened by the game's design, allowing players to inadvertently venture into perilous areas without adequate power-ups, which amplifies the sense of danger and tension throughout the experience.
- “The world opens up, and you can easily end up in more dangerous areas without sufficient power-ups, which is great since it heightens the atmosphere of danger.”
- “The haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the eerie visuals, creating an immersive experience that keeps you on edge.”
- “Every corner of the environment is filled with intricate details that draw you in, making the atmosphere feel alive and vibrant.”