CrossCode (REVIEW)

Centered around the MMO genre and including a diverse cast of characters, "CrossCode" slowly lifts the curtain of the story being told as chapters unfold, and characters involved interact. Heavy on the dialogue, and somewhat lighter on the action this oldschool looking isometric RPG introduces mechanics, and story elements not all that unique. Within the game we find an MMO world known as CrossWorld in which plugged in players from a real world can manifest as avatars, and take on quests. As with JRPGs which take on a similar theme this particular story takes that premise, doubles down on character amnesia, and has you fighting a threat from outside that is a threat to CrossWorld as well as to who you were before you lost your memory. Parading around as rookie player known as Lea you must find out who you are, why you lost your memory, and what your ties are to the enigmatic avatars that showed up on the scene with a mission of their own.

As Lea, the mystery protagonist, you will slowly be introduced to your abilities, and menu systems within the game through a series of early tutorials. This includes learning of abilities such as trajectory based bullet attacks, melee attacks, and charge skills. All of which are enhanced via a Circuit menu skill tree that requires CP (Circuit Points). Spending CP on the skill tree or Circuit menu will allow you to select from one of four branches that includes defense, focus, attack, and health. Spending points in the circuit menu adds bonus buffs to the base RPG stats as well as adds new skills that can be used in combat or puzzle solving. One thing that sets CrossCode apart from other similar JRPGs in regards to it's mechanics is that gameplay tied to the given mechanics focuses not only on combat, but puzzle solving as well. Ultimately using Lea's shooting attack as a sort of billiards cue ball to ping around switches, and walls to hit targets that will gain her access to previously inaccessible areas.

In some instances within the game you'll be doing as you do in an MMO. Running fetch quests for NPCs, and reaping the rewards thereof. Sometimes shopping at the marketplace for wares, and in other instances talking to key NPCS that will further open up the story on a per chapter basis. Other times you'll be fighting your way through multi-level dungeons with complex puzzle elements, and enemies that must be cleared in order to gain access to other abilities or features. Lea does not go about this alone for the entire game though. She meets other avatars from other factions who will join her, or add to the story through contextual conversation, and co-opted combat. In the party the tag along members will automatically fight alongside Lea as she fights. Through the Party menu listing you can set the party members' functions in combat. As Lea levels up so too will her joining party members. Leveling up is done via quest oriented combat, and dungeon completion. Mostly in regards to enemy, and boss killing.

When it comes to equipment Lea gets a basic assortment of the usual clothing articles, and weapons. Equipping them is done via the main touchpad menu. You'll find that in CrossCode a good of portion of your time will be spent navigating the various menus at your beckon call. This includes the Circuit, Equipment, Party, Encyclopedia, and Inventory menus which are all brought up by pressing the touchpad on your controller. Each of which opens up into subdivided menus that contain actual gameplay effecting or related functions. The Circuit menu opens up to show the four branches that can be upgraded through CP. The Equipment menu brings up a body image of Lea, and side menu of equipment listings that can be selected from, and equipped on each of the body squares. The Party member will allow you to look up party members, and choose functionality. When it comes to the Encyclopedia it houses background info on characters, lore, creatures, and trophies. Each found within their own separate listings. Lastly the Inventory menu houses items, and key items found along your journey.

The ultimate goal in CrossCode is to complete chapters, and forward the story being told. This is a seamless 40-80 hour affair filled with the usual MMO, and JRPG dealings. Part of the time you'll be interacting with key characters, or NPCs that give you quests. The quests within the game come in two types. This includes standard quests that rewards Lea with currency and equipment as well as elite  quests that rewards much rarer items or equipment. Along with the quests you'll face puzzle oriented dungeons filled with enemies as well as bosses. Out in the fields of the branching CrossWorld you will also be able to harvest materials as well as face off against lesser enemies. It is in these milder combat focused farming sequences where the cooldown mechanic will come into play. Basically you have a blue bar beside your life meter, and as it's blue any enemies you kill will give you experience points, and level you up. When the blue is gone though the EXP will no longer drop, and a cooldown period will need to take place for you to be able to level up again.

While out in CrossWorld's wilds or even in the dungeons you can bring up a quick access dial menu that gives you access to items, and the map. With the items you can quickly restore health, and with the map you can actually view where you are as well as mark places of interest with icon markers. In tandem with the questing goals there exists a menu within the touchpad menu called "Quests" that will not only show you NPCs you need to find, but will also allow you to see the lists of tasks required for completion. You can also check which quest you are on for easier tracking.

The Presentation ...

As oldschool as it is CrossCode is a pixel perfect isometric RPG adventure accented with impressive animations, and art. It is a layered semi top-down action RPG experience that features conversation boxes that showcase those involved in the conversations as 2D animated avatars. The character, and creature design outside of that is 3D, highly detailed, and articulate. It feels alive, and even the environments they inhabit are intricate in detail. Overall it does have a Western style of anime inspired art, but in-game it's the best Western RPG design I've seen to date. Equally as impressive is the soundtrack which harkens back to the oldschool RPG era while spicing it up with a more modern sound. At the title screen menu you will also find a laundry list of toggles that help you visually, and functionally adjust settings to your desire. Everything from effects, to conversation speed, and indicators are listed as an option.

The Verdict ...

I liked CrossCodes approach to storytelling. How it wasn't all spelled out in some intro, but instead opened up slowly through meaningful character conversation. The character building was also well done, and was done in such a way as to make the playing player more invested in each character. All characters had distinct personality that showed through facial animations, as well as through conversation. Some characters even had different real world languages mixed in with their English tying into their different racial backgrounds. There was definitely an element of diversity with the casting of characters, and none of it came off as being simply a statement of racial inclusion. They all were more than the color of their skin, and I respected that. Mechanics-wise the developer does manage to twist old ways of doing things into something seemingly different. I think the mixture of puzzle solving, and combat was alright. At times though the puzzle solving was a bit heavy handed, and it slowed down the pacing of the game making that 40 -80 hour span less than what it is. All in all it's a decently done Western RPG that does a lot of things right. It is recommendable, and worth it if you want to play something new from the RPG meets MMO genre.

CrossCode is set for release on July 9, 2020.

Physical Boxed versions can be pre-ordered from  - https://crosscode.inin.games/