Imagine a top-down action RPG with the reflexes of a twin-stick shooter and the brain-teasers of a Zelda dungeon. CrossCode blends fast, throw-and-dodge combat with genuinely clever puzzles — and wraps it all in razor-sharp 16-bit style.
At a Glance
| Developer | Radical Fish Games |
| Released | 2018 |
| Platforms | PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Switch, Xbox One |
| Subgenre | Action RPG with puzzle elements |
| Approx. length | 30–40 hours |
Overview
CrossCode is set inside a fictional sci-fi MMO, where you play Lea, a mute player-character piecing together her own mystery. Combat is real-time and demanding, built around dashing, melee strikes, and a chargeable energy ball you ricochet around the arena to hit switches and enemies alike.
That same throwing mechanic powers its puzzles, which escalate into the kind of multi-step, room-spanning challenges that genuinely make you stop and think.
The Review
The combat is fast and tremendously satisfying, and the puzzle design is among the best in any action RPG — inventive, fair, and occasionally brutal. There is a meaty 30-plus hour campaign here with a story that earns its emotional beats, plus difficulty sliders so you can tune the action and puzzles independently.
The opening is a slow burn and a few late bosses spike hard, but players who click with its rhythm tend to adore it.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fast, weighty, deeply satisfying combat
- Ingenious, frequently brilliant puzzle design
- A meaty 30+ hour campaign with real story payoff
- Gorgeous, detailed SNES-style pixel art
Cons
- Puzzles and late bosses can spike in difficulty
- It is long, and the start is a slow burn
Our Verdict
Our Verdict — 9/10
A hidden gem that rewards players who love both action and brain-work. One of the most underrated indie RPGs out there.
Where to Buy
Available on: Steam, GOG, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox.
Prices and platform availability change over time — confirm the current deal and swap in your affiliate/store links before publishing.
Leave a Reply