Xanthiom Zero
- July 28, 2023
- MathanGames
- 6h median play time
Get on SteamIn "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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The weapon customization system is innovative and allows for a variety of playstyles, making combat engaging and fun.
- The level design is well-crafted, with a dense map that encourages exploration and minimizes filler rooms.
- The game offers a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic Metroid titles, combined with modern mechanics and tight controls.
- The music can become repetitive and annoying after a short while, detracting from the overall experience.
- Movement can feel a bit stiff at times, which may affect the fluidity of gameplay.
- The game is relatively short, with some players feeling it may not offer enough content for multiple playthroughs.
- music16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is initially enjoyable but quickly becomes repetitive and annoying, as it relies on a single track for each major zone. Many players noted that the low-resolution sound and short loops contribute to a grating experience over time, suggesting that future installments could benefit from a more diverse and higher-quality soundtrack.
“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.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its tight mechanics, engaging weapon combo system, and a nostalgic yet modern metroidvania feel. Players enjoy the variety of abilities and the unique challenges presented by puzzles, although some aspects, like the UI, are considered less polished. Overall, the game offers a fun and dynamic experience, with a strong emphasis on exploration and combat.
“The weapon combo mechanic is really cool and I'm looking forward to the sequel.”
“It's 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.”
“A fun little microvania with tight gameplay but some puzzles that are occasionally rough around the edges.”
“Usual abilities like double jump, etc. need to be found, along with some other 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 2: The actual gameplay length is half the time you see in this review.”
- story14 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story is generally considered average, serving its purpose by providing context for gameplay without being overly intrusive. While some find it forgettable, others appreciate its engaging elements, such as NPC dialogues and item discovery, which enhance the overall experience. Overall, it strikes a balance between being enjoyable and simple, contributing positively to exploration and customization aspects of the game.
“I won't spoil the story, but it's genuinely gripping, delivered in small dialogues with NPCs and wall carvings, but not too much that you want to skip through the text.”
“I really enjoyed the load-out customization and story.”
“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.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics are described as minimal yet charming, evoking a nostalgic old-school vibe reminiscent of NES-era classics. While some environments, like those in "Escape from Tethys," offer more detailed visuals, the overall art style remains simple and effective, blending a retro aesthetic with modern gameplay sensibilities.
“The environments in Escape from Tethys, for example, had a little bit more meat to them from the start, along with better visuals.”
“It gives a true old school vibe, as do the graphics.”
“The environments in Escape from Tethys, for example, had a little bit more substance 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.”
“Graphics are kind of minimal, but I find that charming.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Xanthiom Zero is highly praised for its replayability, with players noting that its engaging metroidvania design encourages multiple playthroughs.
“Xanthiom Zero is just a fantastic metroidvania that is really replayable.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization for the game on the ROG Ally is highly praised, with users reporting flawless performance even on the lowest power settings, resulting in minimal battery drain.
“Performance on the ROG Ally was flawless; I played in the lowest power setting and it hardly drained the battery at all.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is significantly enhanced by its open world design, where players can inadvertently venture into perilous areas without adequate power-ups, creating a palpable sense of danger and tension.
“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.”
