*nods*

CrossCode is a game that feels like it just does everything it attempts to do *right*. From puzzles, controls, combat, geography, and so on, there's little to no obtuse problems or jank; everything in the game feels absolutely as things should be, and that is reflected not only in the general gameplay, but the vast amount of QoL features the game has as well. It never feels like the gme wastes your team, being able to jump right back into a difficult situation, and backtracking also being very sparse and made negligible by means of a quicktravel function (which, might I add, is 100% optional, for the purists out there).

Furthermore, the game itself is also simply brilliant. The puzzles are incredibly fun, quick, and leave enough room for the player to figure out what to do, and, if they failed, also allows the player to figure out clearly what it is they need to do instead; even though there were numerous times where I spent a while on a puzzle, I never got the feeling that the solution was "out there", and everything is presented logically.
The game's combat is also a definite highlight, catering to a variety of different playstyles, wether you like to get up close, stay ranged, focus on status effects, evasive, defensive, focus on critical hits, or focus on specials, CrossCode is a game that allows all of these different playstyles to not only work, but function in a way that all are equally valid, which is an impressive feat.

The game's story is also brilliant, but for want of spoilers I'll avoid talking about that further, and instead focus on the game's appearance. The game looks brilliant, with it's 16-bit charm not limiting it, but rather having moved past it in such a way through the use of visual effects and particles that elevates it far beyond its contemporaries. CrossCode's soundtrack as well, is absolutely fantastic, each track fitting capturing the feel of a particular location, scene, or fight incredibly well, and lending to the overall atmosphere of the game a great deal. I've been listening to CrossCode's OST on a near daily basis since I purchased the game last month, due to the sundtrack simply being that good.

Overall, I cannot recommend CrossCode enough. It's a game that first and foremost respects the *player*, and by using all the elements I outlined above crafts what I can only call the Ultimate Experience of the 2018 Indie scene, having absolutely deserved it's award as Best Indie Game 2018 at the German Developer Awards. This is a game that truly deserves a spot in the library of any PC gamer.

*nods* CrossCode is a game that feels like it just does everything it attempts to do *right*. From puzzles, controls, combat, geography, and so on, there's little to no obtuse problems or jank; everything in the game feels absolutely as things should be, and that is reflected not only in the general gameplay, but the vast amount of QoL features the game has as well. It never feels like the gme wastes your team, being able to jump right back into a difficult situation, and backtracking also being very sparse and made negligible by means of a quicktravel function (which, might I add, is 100% optional, for the purists out there). Furthermore, the game itself is also simply brilliant. The puzzles are incredibly fun, quick, and leave enough room for the player to figure out what to do, and, if they failed, also allows the player to figure out clearly what it is they need to do instead; even though there were numerous times where I spent a while on a puzzle, I never got the feeling that the solution was "out there", and everything is presented logically. The game's combat is also a definite highlight, catering to a variety of different playstyles, wether you like to get up close, stay ranged, focus on status effects, evasive, defensive, focus on critical hits, or focus on specials, CrossCode is a game that allows all of these different playstyles to not only work, but function in a way that all are equally valid, which is an impressive feat. The game's story is also brilliant, but for want of spoilers I'll avoid talking about that further, and instead focus on the game's appearance. The game looks brilliant, with it's 16-bit charm not limiting it, but rather having moved past it in such a way through the use of visual effects and particles that elevates it far beyond its contemporaries. CrossCode's soundtrack as well, is absolutely fantastic, each track fitting capturing the feel of a particular location, scene, or fight incredibly well, and lending to the overall atmosphere of the game a great deal. I've been listening to CrossCode's OST on a near daily basis since I purchased the game last month, due to the sundtrack simply being that good. Overall, I cannot recommend CrossCode enough. It's a game that first and foremost respects the *player*, and by using all the elements I outlined above crafts what I can only call the Ultimate Experience of the 2018 Indie scene, having absolutely deserved it's award as Best Indie Game 2018 at the German Developer Awards. This is a game that truly deserves a spot in the library of any PC gamer.